Tuesday, December 23, 2008

JOY & Hot Apple Cider with Rum

It's official. I am feeling a charge of positive energy during my favorite time of year. The adrenalive IV with a nice caffeinated Christmas Blend is dripping away & I am looking forward to celebrating HIS birthday with the people I love most. It's a celebration & I have not forgotten the true meaning of why we do all of this.

And just as in the other times of year when I am preparing to eat & drink merrily with those around me, I get excited about the little things that make celebrating all the more JOYful!

In the midst of mopping, deep cleaning, grocery list modifying & creating a timeline for my dinner preparation, I stopped for a few minutes last night to do just that, STOP, & then let the creative juices flow.




I originally bought these jars for chocolate sauce but I ruined the lids, which contained a plastic ring, when I put them in boiling water to sterilize. Oops. So, I just glued on a sticker of Joy, tied on a little ribbon, added water & a tea light. These will be perfect for a fun dessert table Christmas evening.



Because I feel like I have been slacking in the actual food department here, I wanted to make up for it. And since sharing a recipe for pork in a crockpot hardly feels festive, here is a recipe for Hot Apple Cider with Rum that I have made in Christmas past. It's delicious and the rum is optional! For me, not so much....

HOT APPLE CIDER WITH RUM

1 apple
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 orange, thinly sliced
2 quarts apple cider
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon allspice
Pinch grated nutmeg
1 cup dark rum
Cinnamon sticks, garnish

Stud the apple with the cloves. In a medium pot, combine the studded apple and remaining ingredients except the rum. Slowly bring to a simmer over low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the rum. Discard the apple. Ladle into mugs and garnish each with a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.


For More Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays please visit Lisa at Blessed with Grace

39 comments:

Coco said...

Look at you Miss Creative! Great idea....I have several mason jars that I can do that with.

Cider with rum? Yummy!

Baby Favorite said...

Mmm, the cider sounds good. LOVE the candle jar idea! That is darling.

CĂ­ntia said...

BEAUTIFUL YOUR BLOG

Kacey said...

YUM! I LOVE apple cidar and this sounds FAB.

I love your jars with the tea lights too - look at you rockin on with your bad self. The Holiday Menu looks to.die.for. BTW.

Deanna said...

Your Christmas menu... WOW! And those little Christmas jars are simply adorable. Merry Christmas, Stephanie!

Kristina P. said...

Great idea! Can you make it without the rum? I'm one of those crazy Mormons.

Sarah said...

Great idea with the jars - very pretty. Rum? Apple Cider? Yum!

Lana said...

great idea and recipe!
Merry Christmas!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

not much of cider fan, but with some rum, who knows! love the jars!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

oh wow, i love the jars, so creative! we have some leftover apple cider in the fridge right now...i am thinking of a cocktail for tonight :)

Brenda said...

Your pictures are always so pretty. Its obvious you enjoy doing this.

I will take a look at Lisa's too!

sassy stephanie said...

So, I'm campaigning for a move to Florida, to be in the house next door to you. Although, along with the deal, I'm trying to work in a dose of yearly liposuction, as I know I will surely need it.

~Marie~ said...

Mmmm.... Rum!

Ok, the tea light things are too cute and your recipe for the cider sounds lovely.

That's it, I need a kitchen of my own so that I can try all this stuff out!

Erin said...

Sounds yummy!!

Pam said...

You clever girl. The candles looks great and the apple cider with rum sounds FANTASTIC!

Jen said...

what a great idea and I could so use some of that hot cider with rum on a cold and snowy day like today.

Anonymous said...

what a great way to "save your jars". you are so creative, i prolly would have thrown them away **hangs her head in shame**

Ally said...

LOVE your blog! I'm a fellow foodie and love all your recipes and ideas. :)

Merry Christmas!

Lump said...

I really like what you did with the jars! very cute.

anything with rum has to taste better, right? ;)

Scary Mommy said...

Alcohol is never optional ;) This looks awesome! And, Merry Christmas!!

Simple Daisy said...

I'll have to give that one a whirl!! Looks yummy!! Merry Christmas~

Sweet Pea Chef said...

Great idea on the jars! You are so creative.

Preston said...

MMMMMM. Hot apple cider with rum sounds so holiday-ish. I just wanted to stop by and wish you and your family the Merriest of Christmases and a wonderful new year!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recipe!
Happy Holidays!

Unknown said...

Very Creative.

Anonymous said...

I'll take some cider and please add the rum to mine ;)
I LOVE your candle idea.. you are so talented.

Angela said...

i adore apple cider. have you tried the ones from william sonoma?

Brooks said...

sounds yummy and warm in my tummy!
The jars are cute too!
Happy TMTT!!

Darla said...

oh rum, you spoke to my heart. ;)

Carrie and Jim said...

Your menu for Christmas looks amazing. I can imagine it will be a yummy place to be this holiday. Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Hot apple cider is my most favorite thing! Delish! I love how you repurposed those jars. You are so clever!

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

I love hot apple cider. Yum. Merry Christmas.

Rachel said...

What a great idea with those jars...and apple cider with rum...yum yum.

Merry Christmas...enjoy every minute with your family...I'm doing the same!

FROGGITY! said...

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS to one of my fave ladies in the blogosphere!!! :)

michelle matthews said...

Soooo creative! What a great idea! Good job!
Yummy - rum cider!?

Mary said...

Love the jars!!! You are so crafty!

Mary said...

Love the jars!!! You are so crafty!

Angela said...

Love the improvised floating candles! Candlelight is so festive, and I love it especially at the holidays. The cider sounds good too!!

pixeltrash.t said...

Cute candles and a great idea for the jars that were messed up!