Age group(s) for this recipe:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Estimated time:
30 minutes or so.

Number of servings:
10-12 per gallon

Ingredients: (Hit your return key to start a new line)
1 gallon apple cider

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tsp. whole cloves

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1 or 2 oranges, sliced thin

Directions:
Put brown sugar, ginger, and cinnamon sticks into a large cookpot.

Bring the cider to a boil, lower heat, and simmer. Poke the cloves into the orange slices, place them on top of the cider, and simmer for 20 minutes. Ladle hot cider directly from the pot into cups; don't expect it to last long!

Other suggestions and comments:
Another way to prepare this is in a slow cooker, allowing it to simmer on low for 2-5 hours, which works for a small gathering, and allows advance preparation.

I have heard of people making spiced cider in large coffee urns, and even in coffee makers, but I don't want to be responsible for anyone ruining their appliances! For example, the brown sugar might not be a good thang in that version, and anyone trying it with a coffeemaker should definitely run a cycle of plenty of vinegar and water thru to clean the unit afterwards. Putting spices into a coffee filter basket seems natural enough, but I am not sure that the rest of the unit's meant to manage anything but heating Water.

Besides---it just looks so Cool in a big ol Pot! (But if you've done the coffee urn/coffeemaker spiced cider thang, tell us all about it.)

As for what part kids can play in making this, they can help pour, especially if you happen to be using two half gallons vs. one full gallon. They can measure and dump brown sugar, and stir the cold mixture. They can poke the cloves into the orange slices, and plop them into the pot. And they can sample the brew to let you know that it's Just Right!

Hint: little kids (and even my 12 year old) don't always like their beverages to be as hot as adults would drink. It's a little safer if it's cooled a bit for them. Some cider frozen into small ice cubes would be good for cooling things just that little bit, or just pour a touch of cold cider from the fridge into their cup.

Cranapple juice would probably be good prepared in the same way.