Hot apple cider is like comfort in a cup on a cold autumn evening or wintery afternoon. Traditionally it is made with real apple cider, mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves, as well as sweetener like maple syrup or brown sugar. Some recipes call for dark rum to give it a punch. There's only one problem with this wonderful smelling warmth in a cup, sugar. Lots of sugar! In fact, one cup of hot apple cider has about 40 grams of sugar. But don't despair. The Republic of Tea has an alternative that is divine!
Every fall, The Republic of Tea, releases its seasonal Hot Apple Cider Tea. This herbal tea is a calorie-free, caffeine-free, sugar-free, gluten-free blend of apples, cinnamon and cloves. The intensity of this herbal tea can be controlled by steeping longer or less. Adding a cinnamon stick for additional flavor or a little cream to make it decadent. It smells delicious and the taste is soothing. It has a naturally sweet taste, but you can bump up the sweet factor with a few drops of liquid stevia. Although this tea is meant to be consumed hot, it makes a great cold tea as an alternative to apple juice.
