Recipe Of The Week - Cranberry-Apple Cider

I thought this would be a great fall recipe, especially if you are having any parties.  Great for a school function, as well!

Ingredients
-  6 inch sticks of cinnamon, broken
-  1 teaspoon allspice
-  4 cups apple cider or apple juice (Use processed cider from the grocery shelf.  Unprocessed cider from the refrigerated section will separate and appear curdled, when heated.)
-  4 cups low calorie cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/4 cup no calorie, heat stable, granulated sugar substitute.  (you can use splenda, but I prefer a natural sugar alternative, like stevia or trivia)
-  Lemon slices (optional)

For spice bag, cut a 6 or 8 inch square from a double thickness cotton cheesecloth.  Place cinnamon and allspice, in center of cheesecloth square.  Bring cheesecloth corners together, and tie together with a clean cotton string.

In a 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 quart slow cooker combine apple cider, cranberry juice, and sugar substitute.  Add spice bag to cider mixture in cooker.

Cover and cook on low hear setting for 5 -7 hours, or on high heat for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours.  Discard the spice bag.  Ladle cider into cups.  If desired, float a lemon slice in each cup.