Mulled Apple - Bakemas Day 20

This is the first time I've made this alone; Sophie decided to desert me and move half way round the world for a year so it's nearly Christmas and I'm sipping mulled apple alone!

Normally around this time of year we'd be drinking a lot of hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon specifically for the new season of once upon a time, but last year she came over raving about mulled cider so we set out making a non alcoholic version with apple juice and it quickly replaced the hot chocolate as the pre-Christmas OUAT marathon beverage.

We spent quite a while perfecting this and definitely had that moment of "it's missing something" and tried adding pretty much everything but we eventually got there. Every ingredient is important but I would say the secret is fresh ginger and the right flavoured herbal tea which is spiced apple.

This is great for the kids, it's a little healthier than mulled cider and you don't have to worry about drinking too much. 250ml herbal tea, I use twinings camomile & spiced apple
1 litre of apple juice
½ orange, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
1½ bay leaves
5 cloves
1 cardamom pod
thumbnail sized piece of fresh ginger

Make the tea and set aside for a minute. Add all the ingredients into a saucepan including the tea and teabag, bring to the boil and simmer gently for 5 minutes then serve.
You can keep the leftovers in a jug in the fridge and re-heat in the microwave in a mug as you please.

Should serve 3-4 people depending on serving size.