After our apple gathering adventure, we loaded our baskets in the back of the car and drove around for an hour or so in search of the perfect picnic locale.  Siri was of no assistance, other than providing entertainment through her sassy remarks - but eventually, we selected a spot and descended upon the verdant field with our blankets, games, apples, cheese, flowers, and, of course, cider.  Uproarious laughter and card-playing was followed by lots of snacking and many cups of crisp, cold cider.  We lived Autumn to the fullest that day.

Photographs by Matthew Dejesus

I love cider.  Hot, cold, or in slushy form, I’m always game for a cup of appley nectar.

Last year, on a rainy, Fall morning, my (now finance) and I ducked into a local cafe for a cup of hot cider.  Our attention was quickly diverted from the cider as three little words captured our interest.  “Hot Apple Pie.”

It was a drink, a non-coffee, latte of sorts and though it sounded promising, it was too early to be daring, and I opted for a simple cup of hot cider as my companion bravely ordered a slice of pie in latte form.  “Ohmygoodness!” was my only response after sampling a sip of this drink.  It tasted exactly like apple pie with vanilla ice cream.  Lightly spiced, very appley, with a hint of cream and vanilla.  I immediately regretted my lack of courage and decided then and there that I needed to dream up my own version of this strangely wonderful drink.

Several days ago, I finally attempted my own variation of Hot Apple Pie at home and now I have a serious problem because I cannot possibly choose between apple pie lattes and spicy pumpkin hot chocolate.  Maybe one with breakfast and the other in the evening?  That might work.  I don’t like to show favoritism, even if it costs me my waistline. 

This is why I’m not going wedding dress shopping until after the holidays.  After all the turkey, rolls, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pies, and cookies... You get the idea. 

This drink begins with apple cider.  However, we are boiling down our apple cider with some sugar and spices and making a wonderfully, thick, super concentrated syrup.  I have been daydreaming about pouring this stuff over pumpkin waffles.  Yeahhh… I think that will be happening very soon.

While the syrup is cooling a bit, steam some milk with vanilla extract and find the batteries for your buzzy frothing thing.  You know, that thing.  P.S. What happens to batteries anyways?

Fill two glasses with your cider syrup and top with your frothy vanilla milk and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.  See how easy that was?  It’s almost embarrassing.  

Go ahead, drink some pie this week. 

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie

Apple Pie Latte

serves 2

• 3 cups spiced apple cider*
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Combine cider and spices in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat.  Bring to a boil, then boil for 30-40 minutes, until the cider has reduced down to 1 cup.  

In a small saucepan combine milk and vanilla extract, and cook over medium heat until steaming.  Use an electric frother to froth the milk until airy.  

Pour half of the reduced cider into each cup and top with milk.  Stir gently and dust with ground cinnamon (optional).  Enjoy immediately.  

*I used a spiced cider, but if you would like to use regular cider, just double the amount of ground spices.