Just store them in the fridge (in a pitcher or even a mason jar) and it’ll be good for about a week. I hope you love it! You can also freeze it for longer storage.

Who would have known!! How does one find real cinnamon though?! I’ve got to do more research!

I have been rethinking things..the orange may have not been the culprit after all. Once the apple yumminess sat in the fridge for a day or two or three….flavors developed more. And the more was the bitter! I really think……the bitter came from the sub-par fake cinnamon sticks! These are the brands that come in a nice big plastic containers and are very reasonably priced at the big stores when we venture to the city. I remember being excited when I found them…what a deal! I searched around on the net and discovered my brand is fake. Then a bell went off in the ol’ noggin…..Alton Brown did a show once and talked about the real and fake sticks. At the time, I vowed never to use the fake. What can I say….I do believe my children sucked my brains out and never returned them(after not using them!) Its the only excuse I have for my memory loss that sounds plausible! The bitterness reminds me of over-brewing loose leaf tea…..the tannins begin to come out, and bitter is the best word to describe it! If I have to use these sticks for the next batch, I would only drop them in for an hour or so. That might be the trick. But, I have to wait for the next trip to town to get more apples. I too have limited conveniences close by and all the apples are gone from the orchards….boooooooo

Thank you for bringing up this point. I’ve made it a few times since posting too (I love it!) and so I added this note today: Additional notes: I’ve made this a few times now and sometimes I like the orange in it, and sometimes I think it makes it a little bit bitter. If you add the orange plan on adjusting the sweetener as needed, generally you’ll need a bit more than indicated in my directions. When smashing the apples you could remove the orange at that point or try to avoid crushing it too much.

Do you feel like that’s a fair warning and some good tips? I’m so pleased you liked it and let me know. Totally made my morning!

I have 2 crock pots now that I bought the new one and I have one from our wedding. I’m shocked at how often I use them both! You’ll have to get a second when your boys and house are bigger.