Hot Buttered Apple Cider

• 6 slices peeled fresh ginger (quarter-size slices)
• 6 star anise
• 4 cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish (3 inch sticks)
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1 teaspoon szechuan peppercorns
• 1 quart fresh apple cider
• calvados or Applejack, for serving
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

1. Rinse and squeeze out a 12-inch square of cheesecloth.
2. Wrap the ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, and Sichuan peppercorns in the cheesecloth.
3. Using a piece of kitchen twine, tie it into a packet.
4. Pour the cider in a large nonreactive saucepan and add the spice bundle.
5. Bring to a simmer over med-low heat, stirring occasionally.
6. Ladle the cider into warmed mugs.
7. Add a dry cinnamon stick to each mug, and spike with Calvados.
8. Top each with a pat of butter.
9. Serve hot.

fresh ginger, anise, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, fennel seed, szechuan peppercorns, apple cider, calvados, unsalted butter

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/hot-buttered-apple-cider-492569 (may not work)