Move over PSL (that’s pumpkin spice lattes), I’m on a personal mission to bring back cider. I don’t have anything against PSL’s per se, but this fall I’m all about cider and making it a bit more interesting than just using apples and heaps of sugar. Today I’m sharing a healthier and antioxidant packed Pear and Ginger Cider you can enjoy all season long especially around the holidays. Warming spices from cinnamon and ginger, paired (HA food pun intended) with fresh apple juice and pureed pears is a delicious way to switch up boring ole’ cider.
This cider is pretty traditional in the sense of mixing spices with apple juice(s), warming it through, and serving up on a cold day. Classic ciders contain apples only, yet in this recipe I use fresh pureed pears with a kick of ginger to add fiber, antioxidants, natural sweetness from the pears, and a “warming” effect from the ginger. Ginger is one of my top favorite spices for adding antioxidants, a boost of heat that can “warm” our bodies from the inside out, and has been shown to decrease hunger, balance blood sugars, may help burn more calories, can help fight nausea, and beat the bloat. Ideally, make your own apple juice at home if you have a juicer, but if you don’t I recommend using organic no sugar added apple juice like this one here or here. To serve, try adding sliced fresh pear and cinnamon sticks in it per mug and to keep it warm you can store it in a slow cooker or crock pot so you can easily keep it warm while serving multiple people!
Bai was completely new to me until I tried samples they sent me…needless to say, all like 30 bottles were gone in less than a week (I shared them too, but still). As much as I drink water all day long, hot tea, have the occasional coffee, and kombucha; there are times when I just want something sweet, refreshing, and “different” than my norm- I’m gladly welcoming Bai into my kitchen for that occasional treat. Added bonus, they mix so well into recipes like this cider! Their drinks contain no added sugar, no artificial colorings, sweeteners, or preservatives and contain stevia and erythritol. I’ve chatted about stevia here and erythritol is a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols in general can cause bloating in some people, but it’s not super common unless you’re drinking these all day long then I would reevaluate. Like with all “natural” flavorings and fruits, they may come from any natural source and be synthesized in a lab; this recipe does contain antioxidants but mainly from the fruits I’m adding to it! Again, these are a great treat and something I enjoy on occasion.
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups organic apple juice (no sugar added) or homemade juice
- 2 bottles of [url href=”http://www.drinkbai.com/” target=”_blank”]Bai Pear[/url] (optional)
- 3 large pears, pureed
- 1 inch ginger root
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1-2 star anise
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- In a large pot, add all ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes or until warm and the spices are well infused- taste test to adjust for sea salt, cinnamon, or ginger.
- Serve in a mug with ground cinnamon on top and fresh sliced pear.
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days, reheat on the stove.
What are your favorite cider toppings? Let me know what you think when you give this recipe a go! Leave a comment and rate it. I love seeing what you come up with so don’t forget to take a picture and tag it #nutritionstripped on Instagram!
xx McKel
Nutrition Stripped partnered with Bai for this recipe, all opinions and thoughts are my own. I genuinely like their product and hope you do too!
