Vegan Buttered and Spiced Cider (Non-Alcoholic)

I'm posting this recipe because it's just so good not to share! And maybe out of a bit of playful spite, since my hubby said not to share my secret cider recipe!

It was a rave at our party, by vegans and non-vegans alike! It gives you the luscious sensation of autumn, with cozy, buttery warmth. It is the hunker down on your couch with a good book on a crisp cold day type cider, and just imagine those snowbanks drifting our way. Mmmmm, bliss!

Vegan Buttered and Spiced Apple Cider:

Ingredients:

¼ Cup Coconut Oil

1 Gallon Pure Apple Juice

¼ Cup Lemon Juice

12 Cloves (whole)

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

2 teaspoons Nutmeg

Directions:

Melt your coconut oil down in a large pot on medium heat, then slowly add your apple juice. Don't worry if your coconut oil re-solidifies it will melt again when the cider warms, you just don't want it in a big ball! Add lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg, then add the cloves by putting them in a tea strainer or cheesecloth and letting them steep. Simmer with the lid on for 1 hour to really mull those spices! Then remove the bag of cloves and treat your guests!If it's going to be awhile before your guests arrive, just leave your pot on low, instead of simmering, so you don't cook off all your cider before they arrive!

After tallying up your ingredients, this recipe costs $4.22 (or less, depending on your clove source) for 1 gallon of deliciousness! Do I hear a wonderful Thanksgiving treat?! Oh YEAH! And yes, this recipe is entirely my own, no other inventors to credit with the inspiration...ENJOY!

If you are looking for a strainer for your cloves, you could use the disposable kind, which is cheapest, or a fancier one that rests on your pot that's reusable, or the vegan nut milk bag that would be extremely versatile, and makes for excellent creamy nut milks, but I used cloth, because it was what I had...sometimes the cloth does not wash out...I'm sure you could make your own too!