It’s no secret — fall is my favorite time of year. When the weather starts to cool and pumpkins show up on menus and front porches, my soul automatically brightens. And there’s nothing like cozying up with a blanket and warm beverage to watch a movie, cuddle with my cat, or spend time with my husband. For me, apple cider is synonymous with this season, and takes me back to my childhood days. Spiced apple cider was a treat, and I savored every sip.

Now as an adult, I wanted to bring the apple cider scent into my home, so I decided to try making a simmering pot of goodies on the stovetop. It’s as simple as can be — add a sliced apple, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and a bit of lemon juice to a pot with filtered water. That’s it!

You can customize this recipe to your liking; what’s your favorite combination?

Spiced Apple Cider Simmering Pot

You Will Need:

1 apple, sliced
3 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
½ tsp. lemon juice
Pot
Filtered water

To Make:

Place all ingredients into a pot with filtered water. Simmer on low uncovered. Pay attention to the water level; you might need to add more water as needed.

*Note: Don’t forget to turn off the burner before leaving the house or going to bed. It’s best to set an alarm or leave a reminder; you don’t want to burn your pot or start a fire!

Danielle Williams is the assistant senior managing editor for Stampington & Company. She lives in Orange County, California, with her husband, Casey, and opinionated cat, Holly Golighty.