Does anyone know where I could get some peppermint sticks? Like candy canes, but without the hook at the top? I like to put them into my Cider Jack, and the cane shaped ones are kind of impractical for that... Thanks!

Candy Canes are peppermint sticks with a hook. I think.

I put "Peppermint Stick" in my fovorite search engine and found a bunch.

Try this one:

Peppermint Stick

I don't think I would worry about them melting this time of year.

Now, I love to play around in the kitchen. I would try heating a candy cane up in an oven to the bending temperature and un-bend the hook. may be shape in to a "S" for more area in the drink. Careful, bending temperature is really hot. Saw it on Food Channel. The bending not un-bending

Why not do one of the following?

a) Turn the candy canes upside down and put the crook in the cider.

or

b) Using a sharp knife, cut the cane at the crook. Heating the cane (as WoW says) and using a heavy knife should prevent breakage.

DG, I'm a redneck so we just drink straight from the bottle. No room for the crook in there. I'd be worried about me and a knife and the cider in the same situation.

WoW, I do believe that is exactly what I need! I wonder how long they're good for...

Kept in a cool, dry place and they are individually wrapped, I'll bet a long time. I have eaten candy canes that were 5 or more years old.

They are almost 100% sugar of one form or another. Suger never goes bad.

Sweet.

My favorite is Bob's Soft Peppermint Sticks which you can order online but I see them in all the grocery stores. They disolve much quicker than the hard peppermint.

I've never tried them in cider - love peppermint in coffee tho. That sounds like an interesting combo, Elexina. Might have to give it a go!