FOR ONE SERVING:

Cup of Yum
1. In a small saucepan, add the apple cider and cinnamon stick. Heat to boiling, reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover the pan with the lid and simmer on lowest heat for ten minutes so the cinnamon has time to meld with the cider.
2. Place a tea bag in a cup and pour the hot cider over the tea bag. Steep for 2 minutes.
3. Remove the tea bag, lightly pressing the remaining liquid into the cup with the back of a spoon. Garnish with the cinnamon stick and apple slice.

FOR A LARGE BATCH OF HOT APPLE CIDER TEA

1. Add the half gallon of apple cider in a large, heavy pot or enameled dutch oven and add the cinnamon sticks and star anise. Bring just to the boiling point, reduce heat to a low simmer and cover tightly with the lid. Simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Add the tea bags or place the loose tea in a to cider and place the lid tightly back on the pot. Let the tea steep for about 2 minutes.

FOR TEA BAGS:

1. If you've used tea bags, remove them and ladle the hot apple cider tea into mugs. Divvy the cinnamon and star anise between the cups. Garnish with a slice of apple and enjoy.

FOR LOOSE TEA:

1. Place a fine mesh strainer over each cup and ladle a serving of the apple cider tea through the strainer to remove the loose tea. Garnish the tea with a cinnamon stick or star anise and a slice of apple.