Learn how to make best homemade Hot Apple Cider! Also known as Mulled Cider, this warm fall drink is super easy to prepare, and so cozy and delicious. Perfect for kids and adults, this tasty drink is the perfect autumn treat!
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Ginnie's Take
There's something about drinking Hot Apple Cider takes me straight back to childhood. My mom made it every fall, and I remember warming up with a mug after playing outside. I still love this delicious hot drink, and I try to make at least one batch every autumn. This is my grown up version, and I can't wait for you to try it!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Super Cozy + Delicious - If a drink can be comfort food, this hot apple drink is it! You won't be able to resist the warm, spicy flavor. It truly tastes like fall! One sip will make any day more special, and it's perfect for special occasions, like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, too.
- Easy to Make - Simply combine a few ingredients with the cider, then simmer. This tasty fall drink is very simple to prepare.
- Wonderful Scent - Not only does it taste great, but this fragrant drink will fill your home with a lovely, comforting scent as it heats.
- Customizable - This recipe includes a variety of citrus and mulling spices, but you can easily simplify the recipe if you want. When I was a kid, we kept just used cinnamon sticks. You can even turn it into a cocktail. Have fun with this recipe!
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Ingredients
This warm apple drink is made with easy to find ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Cider - You'll need some apple cider, of course! If you live near an orchard, stop by to pick some up (farm fresh is always tastes best). Store bought cider also works great though. Notes: For this recipe, make sure to use nonalcoholic American-style cider, not UK-style cider (also known as hard cider in the U.S.), which contains alcohol. If you're coming from somewhere other than the U.S., substitute raw, unfiltered apple juice.
- Mulling Spices - This recipe uses a combination of cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise, all of which give the Mulled Apple Cider a warm, spicy flavor. If you want to keep things simple, just use the cinnamon. Tip: You can purchase larger packages of cinnamon sticks from spice companies, such as Penzey's and The Spice House.
- Citrus - You'll add fresh orange and lemon slices, which will infuse the cider with a bright, fruity flavor as it warms up. You can also use just the citrus peel, or leave out the citrus, if you prefer.
- Sweetener - Depending on the apples used to make it, cider's flavor can range from tart to sweet. This recipe doesn't included any additional sugar, but you can add maple syrup or brown sugar (to taste), if you'd prefer a sweeter drink.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, nut free, and gluten free (double check labels if you have an allergy), so everyone at your table can enjoy it!
You'll Also Need
You will need a sharp knife to prepare the fruit, as well as a medium, heavy bottomed pot to warm the cider (I used a Le Creuset pot). If you have a tea infuser, you can add the cloves to it, which will make them easier to remove when the drink ready to serve. You'll also need some mugs for serving (I served mine in these glass mugs).
How to Make Mulled Apple Cider
This stovetop Spiced Apple Cider couldn't be easier to prepare! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's a quick overview of the steps:
- Combine ingredients. Start by add the cider, sliced fruit, and spices to a medium, heavy bottomed pot. Tip: If you have a tea infuser, add the cloves to it so they're easier to remove later.
- Bring to a boil. Over high heat, bring the cider just to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer. Once the cider starts to boil, reduce the heat, then simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve hot (or warm). If you're serving kids, let the drink cool off a bit before serving. I garnished the drinks with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise (so pretty and it smells great), but that's totally optional. Tip: Remove the cloves before serving, or let people to know to watch out for them as they sip!
Time to enjoy your homemade Hot Apple Cider! Wasn't that easy to make?
Variations
This recipe is super easy to customize! Here are some ideas to try:
- Simple + Easy Version - Use cinnamon sticks only (no other fruit or spices). This is the version I drank growing up, and the classic apple-cinnamon flavor is so delish!
- Spices - You can use any combo of warm spices (like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg) for this recipe.
- Fruit - Leave out the citrus, if you prefer. Feel free to throw in some fresh apple slices or chunks, if you have them. Some people like to add orange juice (or even pineapple juice) to their cider, too.
- Sweeter - Depending on the sweetness of your cider, you may want to add some maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, or even caramel sauce before serving. I would start by mixing in a couple tablespoons, then gradually add more, as needed.
- Chai - Give your cider a delicious sweet-spicy flavor by stirring in some homemade chai concentrate. Just keep in mind it will make the drink sweeter, too.
- Cocktail - Add a shot of booze to turn this cozy drink into a cocktail. Check out my Spiked Apple Cider recipe for tips!
Serving Suggestions
This Spiced Apple Cider drink is wonderful any day of the week, and it will make Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas extra special, too. Pair it with autumn appetizers (like Baked Pumpkin Seeds, Baked Brie, Butternut Squash Crostini, or Cranberry Jalapeño Dip) or sweets (try these Mini Pumpkin Tarts, Chewy Ginger Cookies, Caramel Apple Parfaits, or these Pumpkin Spice Cookies) for the ultimate fall treat!
Storage
If you have leftover cider, let it cool, then store it in an airtight container (such as the jug the cider came in, or a pitcher with a lid) in your refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently in your microwave or on your stovetop before serving.
Related Recipes
If you loved this Hot Cider, try my Apple Cider Mocktail, Apple Cider Cocktail, and my Apple Cider Mule next! Looking for more hot drink ideas? Try these cozy recipes, too:
- Warm up with a mug of Homemade Hot Chocolate! It's super easy to make, so you can treat yourself whenever a craving strikes.
- Are you a tea lover? Then you have to try this Sweet Cinnamon Milk Tea. It's so cozy and delicious tasting.
- This creamy Pumpkin Spice Steamer is super unique (kind of like pumpkin hot chocolate!) and absolutely irresistible.
- Need a little afternoon pick-me-up? You'll love this Coffee Hot Chocolate!
- For another boost of caffeine, check out this delightful Dirty Chai Latte. It's a fun twist on the classic tea recipe.
P.S. You can find all my apple recipes here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Fresh apple cider is a raw, unfiltered, unsweetened drink that's made from pressed apples. It has a cloudy appearance, and the flavor can range from tangy to sweet, depending on the type of apples it's made with. Unlike "hard cider," which is popular in the UK (and elsewhere), American apple cider is nonalcoholic.
Apple cider and apple juice are similar, but different drinks. Typically, apple juice is cooked and filtered to remove any pulp and sediment, and it's pasteurized to increase shelf life. Meanwhile, apple cider is a raw (uncooked) drink that's made from pressed apples. While you can find pasteurized cider in grocery stores, but it will still be unfiltered. Apple cider has a cloudy appearance, while apple juice is clear. Apple juice usually has a sweeter flavor, as well.
Mulled cider and hot apple cider are two very similar drinks. Mulled cider is made by heating apple cider with other fruits and spices, giving it a deep, spicy flavor. Hot apple cider, on the other hand, refers to any heated cider, and it may be prepared with (or without) additional fruit and spices. Because of this, mulled cider is considered hot cider, but not all hot cider is considered mulled cider.
Hot apple cider often goes by the name mulled cider or spiced cider. You can also find different variations of the drink around the world. In the UK, there's a classic Christmas drink known as Wassail. Germany has a holiday drink known as Kinderpunsch that's made with cider and other juices, plus tea and spices. When I was Germany a couple years ago, I had Kinderpunsch at a Christmas market, and it was delish! I'm sure there are many others variations from around the world, let me know if I missed your favorite.
Hot Apple Cider
Ingredients
- ½ gallon (64 ounces / 1.89 liters) apple cider
- 1 orange, ends removed and sliced ½-inch thick
- 1 slice lemon (½-inch thick)
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- sweetener (optional; see note below)
Equipment
- Medium Heavy Bottom Pot
Instructions
- Combine cider, orange slices, lemon slice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise in a medium, heavy bottomed pot.
- Bring mixture just to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- When the cider starts to boil, immediately reduce the heat to medium. Simmer for 15 minutes (stirring occasionally), or until the cider is infused with the citrus and spices.
- Serve hot or warm, garnished with cinnamon sticks and slice apples. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
