20(ish)--- Christmas Cider and Applesauce: 2 for 1

The sales around Christmas are some of the best all year! This recipe is like one of those sales: 2 for the price of 1! Make the cider, and get the bonus applesauce (or vice versa).

Apple cider is a classic winter beverage, but the powdered mixes and jarred varieties contain lots of extra "stuff". Making it yourself is quite easy-- and it's a great gift idea.

Christmas Cider and Applesauce

Makes ~6 cups cider & 6 cups applesauce

7 large apples of your choice, peeled, cored, and quartered

1/2 cup sugar

3 cinnamon sticks

5 whole cloves

1 tsp maple syrup

Place apples in a large pot and cover with 9 cups of water. Add sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves and syrup. Boil on high heat for one hour uncovered. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for additional two hours covered, stir occasionally.

Remove from heat and allow to cool. Remove cinnamon sticks (set aside to dry) and cloves. Use a potato masher to mash apples. Using a ladle, scoop mixture into a strainer over a large bowl. Gently press apples with a spoon to squeeze out any additional juice. Place mashed apples into a separate bowl. Continue process until all juice and apples are separated.

Place cider into glass bottles with a cinnamon stick! Do the same with the applesauce.

I like to gift the cider packaged with a small bottle of adult beverage to complement!

20--- Cava Sangria

Time for a fall party! This adult beverage is so easy to make and so delicious. You can use fall fruits and the red wine of your choice to really make it "your own".

Although some alcohol (ethanol) may have heart-healthy benefits, it can also add liquid calories to your diet, especially when that alcohol is mixed with sugar, soda, or juice. Moderation, moderation, moderation!!

Cava Sangria

Makes 1/2 gallon (8 glasses)

1 bottle dry red wine of your choice

1 oz Triple Sec

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup orange juice (no pulp)

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups unflavored seltzer water, chilled

1 lemon, sliced

1 orange, sliced

6 strawberries, halved

1 small apple, cored and diced

Combine fruit, wine, Triple Sec, lemon juice, orange juice, and sugar in a large pitcher. Allow to sit overnight. Prior to serving, mix in seltzer water. Pour sangria over ice in glasses and top with a scoop of marinated fruit.