Party Pleasing Cider

This crock pot apple cider is perfect for any fall or winter gathering. It is so easy to set it up at a beverage station or on a kitchen counter top for everyone to help themselves.
Here is how I do it:

• 1 gallon of apple cider
• 1 – 48 ounce container of cranberry juice
• 1 whole navel orange cut into 1/4 – 1/2 inch slices, then halved
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 – 9 ounce package of red hots candies (aka cinnamon imperials)

Pour the apple cider and cranberry juice in a 6 – 7 quart crock pot. Add the orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Stir to incorporate everything. Turn on high for 1 hour. After an hour turn to low and let simmer for 3 hours. To serve put a small spoon full of red hots in the bottom of heat proof glasses or mugs and ladle the liquid only into the mugs. The heat from the cider will start to dissolve the red hots candies and give it an excitingly warm taste and comforting feeling as you drink it. *NOTE* If you wanted to, you can add a fresh cinnamon stick and a fresh halved orange slice to the mugs. These are beautiful adornments at Christmas time.