One of the good things about fall and the forth coming nastiest of winter is that local businesses start to offer seasonal foods. The tasty Pumpkin Bisque at Soup Spoon Café is one example (do yourself a favor and get it while it lasts. Seriously, people). Another is the apple cider at Decker’s Coffee Company in downtown Lansing.

Decker’s is located in Washington Square, next to the new location of Kelly’s Bar and the prim and proper dance hall, X-Cel. Decker’s offers not only great coffee, but also a wide variety of foods, ranging from breakfast to lunch. They also sell ice cream, one of only a few places downtown to do so.

With fall clutching us in its brown and gold fingers, Decker’s currently sells hot apple cider. It is a pleasing drink, and is not just any old apple juice. Cider is great to begin with, but when you warm it up and add caramel and whipped cream, you’re calling in the big guns.

The cider at Decker’s is a refreshing treat. Hot—but not too hot. It’ll warm you up, but it won’t burn your mouth or lap (always a plus). The flavor is both sweet and tart, a great combination. Go for broke and add the caramel and whipped cream, but this autumn beverage is just as delicious on its own.

Hot cider is a great alternative to coffee, especially in the late afternoon. Not that there is anything wrong with coffee. Team Lansing Restaurant Examiner couldn’t function without a steady supply of coffee. But, if you want to try something different, or think that you’ve had enough caffeine for the day (not possible), give the hot cider at Decker’s Coffee a try, and savor these fleeting days of fall before the Snow Miser returns and reminds us why we can’t have nice things (see video below).

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Daniel J. Hogan is a published novelist, a freelance writer and creator of the Magic of Eyri Podcast.