Butterbeer Inspired Autumn Cider

Want a warming drink to see you through those cold autumn nights? Well try this subtly spiced cider, an amazing warming blend perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients

1 plain cider kit for 40 pints (I used the Wilko Rich Pickings Kit)

1kg brewing sugar

250ml maple syrup

20 teaspoons caster sugar

10 tsp ground cinnamon

10 tsp ground ginger

Apparatus

1 25l primary fermentation barrel

Sterilising powder

Syphon with yeast trap

1 25l pressure barrel or 40 pint bottles

Long plastic spoon

Vaseline

Airlock and bung

Method

1. First wash your primary fermentation vessel with soap and water and then sterilise according to the instructions of your kit or powder.

2. Then follow the instructions of your kit, however, when it calls for brewing sugar sub 200g of it for the maple syrup then add the rest as normal and sprinkle your yeast on top.

3. Seal your fermenter, adding vaseline to the treads and then place your bung and airlock into the top, with water added to halfway up the airlock.

4. Leave to ferment for around 10 days (fermentation takes longer than specified due to the high complex sugar content in the maple syrup).

5. After 10 days has passed or your airlock has stopped bubbling (bear in mind it can take up to three days to start and some may not even bubble), remove the bung and place your fermenter on a table or counter with the pressure barrel or bottles below and ,using a sterilised syphon, syphon the cider into your sterilised bottles or pressure barrel.

6. Next add your sugar and spices. If using the barrel simply add the amounts listed, otherwise you want to add 1/2 tsp of sugar, 1/4 tsp of ginger and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon to each pint.

7. Leave at room temperature for 2 days and then somewhere cooler (or room temperature if you don't have anywhere cooler) for up to a week or until clear (mine cleared after the two days).

8. Enjoy! Serve cold or if you feel like an autumn or winter treat simply heat in a pan or dilute one pint with 250ml boiling water and a dash of maple syrup and whiskey to make three small autumn spiced hot toddies!

Signed A Shipwrecked Coffee Addict