I'm rating this a "4" because it *inspired* the recipe I evenutally made up from a bunch I've found on the www. The butter was NOT a problem and it was a huge hit among a diverse crowd of guests: 2 Gallons of Cider Crush slightly and wrap in cheesecloth: Cinnamon sticks Green cardamom, pods removed Star anise Whole nutmeg Cloves Allspice (I didn't have any...) Toss the packet in the cider. Wash and puncture multiple times: 1 orange 1 lemon Cut up and throw in: Dried pears Dried mangoes Pour in about: 1/2 cup maple syrup Start it cooking slowly, and when it's hot, THEN throw in: 1/2 stick of UNSALTED butter Then, just let it stew away. I started mine about 9 a.m. for a 2 p.m. holiday open house party. The butter is just a creaminess in the rich spicy fruit. It wasn't too sweet because of the other fruits, and the spices didn't make it bitter because of the butter. So, THANKS for the great recipe inspiration!

Reviewed On: Dec. 21, 2008