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Cold Cider Punch / Mulled Cider Recipe
Cider
Written by Simon Day   
Monday, 01 March 2010 09:36

Orchard Croft in the snow, photo taken in January.Hannah & I recently moved house (we're right on the orchard now - my morning commute is now down to 60 seconds) & we had a big housewarming party yesterday.  I made a lovely cider punch that went down really well with all the revellers, and lots of our guests were asking for the recipe, so I thought I'd share it on the website too!

There was nothing scientific about this, and the proportions are pretty much guesswork, but it turned out well - this is what I used:

(This quantity serves about 24 x 250ml glasses)

4 x 75cl bottles Marcle Ridge (dry still cider)
3 x 75cl bottles Russet & Bramley apple juice
Juice and pulp of an orange
Sugar (to taste - I used 4 ish table spoons)
6 cinnamon sticks broken into pieces.
Cloves (I used ground cloves 1tsp, but you could use whole cloves (probably need 8 - 12)
Star Anise or All Spice (I used All Spice - about 1tsp)
25cl Orange Liqueur

This was all put into a large pan and heated gently on the hob to warm through - If you wanted a mulled cider, serve it once warmed through, but don't let it boil.

I chilled ours over night and decanted into jugs the following morning, and served to guests on arrival.

For a special twist, pour a half glass of the punch, and top up with Ribston Lawn Sparkling Perry - truly delicious - like a spicy, cidery, bucks fizz!

Let me know what you think, or if you would like to share any good recipes for cider punch or mulled cider.

Cheers!

Simon.

 

 
The 2009 Harvest
Cider
Written by Simon Day   
Tuesday, 01 December 2009 23:14

This year we took a big step in production.  The decision to take our production over the magic 7000 litre duty threshold was fairly easy – we were selling more than we were producing.  However, you need to make a fairly big jump to retain profitability, so we aimed to make 25,000 litres.

What I wasn’t expecting was the tonnage of perry pears that were available.  We are really lucky to have had the full production from Ribston Lawn in Much Marcle this year. Adrian Hope has a fine perry orchard, and this year the Blakeney Red were incredibly prolific.  So much so that I had to buy an extra 10,000 litres of tank space to fit it all in!

What this means is we will release at least two perry styles (one still and one Champagne Method) next year, as well as a the usual cider blends (Putley Gold and Marcle Ridge) as well as a couple of specials of which more will be revealed as they take shape!

 

 
Our blog begins...
Orchard
Written by Simon Day   
Tuesday, 01 December 2009 21:52

We have decided to start blogging on our website.  Please check back for the latest musings from Once Upon A Tree and Dragon Orchard

 


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05.03.10
Nice OZ piece about Ledbury & cider - sorry were not at home though, we are opening at Dragon Orchard from 31st March. http://bit.ly/cfoesV
01.03.10
We had a housewarming party yesterday, and the cider punch went down really well, so here's the recipe in our blog: http://bit.ly/cLUqad
18.02.10
Dare I mention Mothers Day? Send something different this year: http://bit.ly/aqP91w A true taste of Herefordshire!
18.02.10
http://twitpic.com/13y6cw - More of the white stuff today...
12.02.10
@abbotslodgebnb Our Bramley juice is good for breakfast - ripe, yet crisp to wake you up, or balance a full english! http://bit.ly/cxHNIB
12.02.10
Sally @The_Green_Cow Deli in Bidgnorth http://bit.ly/9R3V5g now has our ciders - grab a bottle or two for a relaxing Friday night in...!
03.02.10
Big Apple AGM tonight at the Royal Oak in Much Marcle 7pm. Discussing the Big Apple Cider Trials among other business. http://bit.ly/8Y7LYz
02.02.10
Visit Herefordshire have Hairy Bikers for food fest. and week long food week planned - good reason to visit the county!
22.01.10
Computer down since yesterday - graphics card meltdown. Quick trip to PC World, install new card and now waitng for software to work...
20.01.10
Postponed for over 3 weeks due to snow, It didn't stop us today! We're crushing for a new dessert perry... http://tweetphoto.com/9135497
11.01.10
Thank you @jamiegoode for the review of our Blenheim Orange Dessert Cider. Glad you liked it! http://bit.ly/6uiVeJ
09.01.10
http://twitpic.com/xeutl - A wassailing we did go! An old perry peartree gets the traditional blessing...
09.01.10
A wassailing we will go... lots of cider, gun fire, pig roast and morris men - is there a better way to spend a night out in sub zero temps?
08.01.10
http://twitpic.com/x6ugk - Serve chilled...
07.01.10
http://twitpic.com/x2fb8 - Snow in the orchard. 8 inches deep in places - looks very pretty!
25.12.09
very merry christmas to you all!
25.12.09
http://twitpic.com/v5e5u - whoops! This is the christmas pud pic with Blenheim Orange

Ribston Lawn Champagne Method Perry with Luxury TrufflesPerfect for Mothers Day!

Our Ribston Lawn Champagne Method Perry and Williams & Dunkerton Truffles in a silver presentation box, a card with your message. All for just £25 including delivery!

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CropsharersOrchard Schemes

Through Dragon Orchard Cropsharers and our Sponsor a Tree Scheme, it is our sincere hope to be able to cherish and maintain the orchard and the wildlife within it for many years to come. Learn More Here

Gino D'Acampo and Simon DayAwards

Here's Gino D'Acampo presenting our cider maker Simon Day with our Flavours of Herefordshire award. Read the latest in our awards page click here!