Things I Love #1

Motts Hot Apple Cider

I first tried Motts Hot Apple Cider about a year ago, and I've absolutely fallen in love with it. I've always enjoyed regular, cold apple cider from the local orchard, but I didn't really think I would enjoy it hot. Walking down the aisle of the grocery store one day, I spotted the packets of this apple cider mix and saw that it came in a Hot Apple Pie flavor, and that's what sold me on hot cider. It was quite possibly one of the best things I have ever tasted. It has the right amount of sweetness and tart. I've tried other brands of instant hot apple cider packets, but they all lack the tartness that comes from cider sold in jugs, and Motts Hot Apple Cider. It comes in 6 flavors, including:

• Hot Apple Pie
• Red Delicious
• Caramel
• Granny Smith
• Golden Delicious
• and of course, Original

My favorite is the Hot Apple Pie, but I picked up a variety pack from BJ's Wholesale Club last weekend and was able to try Red Delicious for the first time, and it's probably my second favorite flavor. My least favorite flavor is Caramel, though, as it lacks the tartness that I enjoy so much. I haven't been able to find Golden Delicious flavor anywhere, however.

I picked up a 24ct variety pack from BJ's for $5.99, which is a fantastic deal. I believe they cost 50¢ per packet at Giant Eagle, and a 24ct box on amazon.com will set you back $11.98, twice what you'll pay in a wholesale club. I plan on going back to BJ's soon to buy a couple more boxes, as the variety packs are a seasonal item and it'll be pretty hard to find in a couple months.

Drink up, it's apple cider season!