Apple Cider

I hate apple cider.  I absolutely hate it.  I do not like it on a train, I do not like it in the rain.  I do not like apple cider, Melanie I am.  I always hated the tart spiciness of the cider... UNTIL...I made it myself.  Now, I'm in love.

Here's how I made it:

• Purchase some Cinnamon sticks (ours look more like bark than the cinnamon sticks you'll find in the grocery store--if yours are really cinnamonny, you'll want to use less), whole cloves, and star anise.  You can see all these things floating in the pot (you can just about 2 large Cinnamon sticks or 3 small, 3 whole star anise, and around 4 whole cloves for the entire process.
• You'll also need to buy 100% apple juice.  Expect for half of it to evaporate.
• Add the apple juice, and bring it to a boil.  Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered until it tastes the way you want it to.  (For me, it was that point when it stopped tasting like apple juice, and I could start tasting the spices.)
• Serve it up immediately, and then add more juice so you'll have more made in time for refills.