What says autumn more than apple cider?  Nothing could be more appropriate at a beautiful, Fall inspired affair.  I knew I wanted cider to take center stage on my table and I achieved that by presenting it beautifully in 2 gallon glass jars with pretty wood ladles.  I always think it’s important to tell guests what they’re drinking so I personalized each jar with a cute label and some velvet ribbon.  To up the festive factor another notch, I decided to include both traditional apple cider and a more adult appropriate version that includes Calvados, a yummy apple brandy.

Here’s my favorite recipe for what I like to call {really} spiced apple cider (via Epicurious).  You’ll need to multiply these ingredients by 4 in order to fill your 2 gallon jar.  Just combine in a very large stockpot with your apple cider and it’s that simple.

• 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3 whole allspice berries
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 4 whole cloves
• Two 3-inch cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
• 1/2 cup Calvados, or to taste

Cinnamon definitely came up in my brainstorming session but rather than present it traditionally inside the mugs, I decide to take a more playful approach and used a vase filler I found in the candle aisle at Target to create a fragrant bed for my mugs.  Simple, low cost and a really cute result (if I do say so!)

{NOTE} Download the free font Artistamp Medium to get the same look as images above.