Ingredients
- 1.9 L unsweetened apple cider
- 120 ml pure Québec maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- 2 strips orange peel
- Orange slices, to serve
Method
- Combine the cider, maple syrup, spices, and orange peel in a large pot.
- Warm over medium-low heat until steaming, but do not boil.
- Cover and steep for 20 minutes, then strain.
- Serve hot with orange slices.
Conversion and rationale
Original sweetener (classic version): 100 g brown sugar
Conversion used: Use 120 ml maple syrup for 100 g brown sugar and reduce the cider by about 120 ml to preserve the traditional concentration.
Why Quebec maple syrup: Maple's caramel and vanilla notes reinforce baked-apple and spice flavors. The result uses a regional sweetener with less processing than refined sugar.
General rule: 1 cup (250 ml) sugar ≈ 3/4 cup (180 ml) maple syrup; reduce liquids by 45–60 ml per cup of syrup and lower oven by 15 °C. Substitution calculator →