Hot Caramel Popcorn Apple Cider Mocktail

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 black tea bag
• 1 cup caramel popcorn
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 small pats unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup caramel popcorn, for garnish

Directions

1. Heat the water in a small saucepan until steaming. Remove it from the heat, add the tea bag and caramel popcorn, and let it steep for 5 minutes.
2. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a clean saucepan. Discard the tea bag and softened popcorn.
3. Add the apple cider, brown sugar, lemon juice, and salt to the saucepan. Warm gently over medium low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the cider is hot but not boiling.
4. Pour into two mugs. Top each drink with a small pat of butter and a little caramel popcorn, then serve right away.