Spiced Hard Cider Punch

• 1 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh ginger
• 7 whole cloves
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 quart hard cider
• 1/2 cup applejack
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 8 slices Gala, Braeburn, or Red Delicious apple

1. Place the hot water in a small stainless steel saucepan and add the sugar, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg to the pan.
2. Bring to a boil, place a lid over the saucepan and reduce to a simmer.
3. Continue to simmer until the flavors have married, about 20 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a non-reactive bowl and allow to cool.
5. Once cool, add the cider, applejack and brandy to the bowl.
6. Stir to mix well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and up to 5 days.
7. Serve in a small punch bowl with an ice mold, if desired, and garnish each glass with an apple slice.

water, granulated sugar, fresh ginger, cloves, cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, hard cider, applejack, brandy, gala

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/spiced-hard-cider-punch.html (may not work)