While the calendar states that it is officially fall, here in South Carolina it definitely feels like summer. It is expected to be around 96F today. I’m ready for cooler temperatures and I’m ready for my fall traditions.
Recently, we evacuated for another hurricane. Luckily, for us, we didn’t get any damage. Unfortunately, many people experienced huge devastation. Our thoughts and prayers are with those people.
While we were waiting on the storm to pass, we visited Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, GA. (I am not affiliated with Mercier Orchards, nor did they pay/compensate me nor sponsor this post. This is my opinion, and I really love this place.) You can only watch the news and weather stations on television so long before it starts to drive you crazy. It was nice to go out and do some fun things to help take our minds off of the storm. They have a great market filled with fresh apples, apple cider, apple cider donuts, pies and other baked goods, caramel apples, jams/jellies, home décor, produce, hard cider, wine, and a ton of other great things. The walk up to the market overlooking the orchard is absolutely stunning. Can you see why I love this place?
We of course loaded up on things to bring back home. We brought back cider, hard cider, kettle corn, apple butter, honey, jam, wine, and of course a peck of apples. Did I mention that I bought a couple of bags of apples from the warehouse club BEFORE we evacuated? Yeah, the house has been filled with apples…
So…there was a need to find uses for the many, many, many apples. I’ve made the usual things, apple crisp, sliced apples with peanut butter, oatmeal with apples, and you can only make so much of that stuff, let’s face it. After one of my runs (I’m starting to train for my second half marathon, btw), I was sitting on the couch trying to think of ways to use more of the apples. I don’t want to waste good apples. I decided to search for ways to make homemade apple cider, because I LOVE apple cider. Move over pumpkin coffee! I came across many methods where apples are boiled and then mashed, and those had mixed reviews. So, I kept looking. I came across a method for making homemade apple cider using a food processor. The method makes AMAZING apple cider without having to use a press. It is so close to having apple cider straight from the apple orchard! To find out the method, go on over to my Facebook page. Give the page a “Like” while you’re there too! 😊
I’ve made the apple cider twice now. The first time was a smaller batch so I could see how it would turn out. I made twice as much the second time. While I’ve used the rest of my apples, I now have an abundant amount of apple cider….so now it was time to find uses for the apple cider. I’ve been making my Spiced Caramel Apple Drink during the workweek, which has been delicious, but the method also talks about being able to freeze the apple cider. Light bulb!
An orchard we used to go to every fall in Indiana had apple cider slushies. It’s still hot in South Carolina, but I want my cider, a Frozen Caramel Apple Cider sounds pretty good to me!
Ingredients:
6 ounces frozen apple cider ice cubes
1-2 ounces warm apple cider or water (plus a little extra in case the frozen cider is a little thick still while blending)
Whipped cream
Caramel syrup
Put the apple cider cubes into a blender that is capable of blending ice. Add in the warm apple cider or water.
Blend according to the blender’s manufacturer’s instructions until the frozen cider resembles a slushy-like consistency. You may have to stop and add a little more liquid if it’s a little thick.
Pour the frozen cider into a coffee mug.
Add whipped cream on top of the apple cider.
Drizzle on that delicious caramel syrup!
Happy Fall, Y’all!
*If you don’t want to make homemade cider, no worries. You can use store-bought or from an orchard, or whatever you have on hand.
