Hot Spiced Apple Cider
A sweet, spicy and warming seasonal beverage, there is nothing like Hot Spiced Apple Cider to celebrate cooler weather! 
Spiced apple cider is almost synonymous with fall. But it can move seamlessly into winter as well. So when my blogging group decided to cover Mocktails, I knew it was time to update my 2011 post.
My earliest memories of Hot Spiced Cider date back to my teens–attending an outdoor fall festival. Watching my breath smoke in the chill air, I silently thanked my mother for mandating gloves. All while sipping a beverage that warmed me inside and out.
It was a moment where cold could be… perfection! 
What is Mulled Apple Cider
Spiced apple cider is known by many names such as hot mulled cider, mulled apple cider, etc. and is made by heating cider with mulling spices like cinnamon, cloves and allspice.
Per Wikipedia, mulling spices “are usually used to spice hot apple cider, mulled wine, glögg, wassail, hippocras and other drinks (such as juices) during autumn or winter. A “mulled” drink is a drink which has been prepared with these spices (usually through heating the drink in a pot with mulling spices and then straining).”
Bottom line? It’s a warming and tasty beverage that’s perfect whenever there’s a chill in the air! 
What Makes This a Winner
This drink has been a favorite for so long because it’s:
-
- Easy. Making this is almost as easy as making tea. Just add spices to cider, heat, let stand and drink.
- Flavorful. A good apple cider is loaded with flavor even before the spices are added! If you are looking for a beverage that can hold it’s own without alcohol, look no further.
- Healthy. While not as healthy as eating the whole apple, you can still count this as a serving of fruit!
What You’ll Need
Apple Cider versus Juice
Apple cider and apple juice are both made from apples that have been cored, chopped, pressed and strained. But apple juice is heavily filtered which makes it clearer and less flavorful. In addition, some juices may have water, preservatives and sugar added. So while people do mull apple juice, cider will give you better results.
There is another type of cider that I haven’t mentioned and this is hard cider, a fermented alcoholic beverage similar to beer. While this can be a tasty drink, it does not have the right flavor profile for hot mulled cider.
In any case, apples are consistently on the EWG’s “dirty dozen” list of most contaminated fruits and vegetables, so buy your cider or juice organic if you can. 
Apple Cider Mulling Spices
The basic mulling spices are cinnamon, allspice and cloves, but feel free to vary the mix based on your tastes or the ingredients in your pantry. Take a look at “Variations” below for some ideas.
When I first started making my own spiced apple cider, I’d buy little pre-made packets of spice mix, studded with cinnamon and star anise, wherever I encountered them. But eventually I wondered, “why buy pricey little packets when you can make your own?” Since then I head to the spice cabinet whenever the urge to mull cider hits.
And as an added bonus, my regular spices are probably fresher and more flavorful than an old mix that may have been sitting in the cupboard for who knows how long!
Sugar
Since apples are naturally sweet, no sugar is needed to make spiced apple cider. Even better, many of the local cider makers work to pull together a complimentary blend of sweet and tart apples so their cider has the best flavor! Another reason to go local!
Step by Step Directions
To make spiced apple cider, you first measure the cider into a saucepan
Add the mulling spices
then heat, without boiling, until spice flavors have been infused. Enjoy warm!
How to Serve
Mulled apple cider can be served in anything with a handle. This can be a cute ceramic mug (seasonally appropriate) or something glass like a glass Irish coffee mug.
For a festive look, garnish the mug with a cinnamon stick and fresh cranberries. Or even a slice of apple or orange.
This also makes a perfect party holiday spiced cider! If you are serving over the course of an evening, you may want to keep it warm. A slow cooker or even a fondue pot on warm (don’t let it boil) can be helpful here. Consider floating cranberries and orange slices in the pot for a Christmas Cider look! 
Variations
Don’t worry, there are no hot cider police looking over your shoulder—and it’s pretty hard for this not to taste good! So feel free to change up the spices.
No oranges or orange peel? Leave it out. In the mood for ginger? Toss in a slice of fresh or candied ginger—or maybe some star anise or nutmeg. You can even make a chai spiced cider by adding cardamom and ginger and maybe a few peppercorns to the cinnamon, cloves and allspice!
Of course, some people prefer a hot spiked cider! If you’d like to turn this into a boozy hot toddy you can add an alcohol like brandy, apple schnapps or even a spiced rum like Captain Morgan. Just add 2-3 tablespoons per drink to the hot spiced cider. Or you can go fancy with this Caramel Apple Hot Toddy.
Another related (alcoholic) drink is mulled wine, made similarly but with a base of wine instead of cider. And here’s a pear cider made with pears!
Tips & FAQs
This drink is pretty foolproof, but try not to let the cider boil which may cause it to separate. It’s still fine to drink, just a little less appealing.
The freshness of your spices can potentially impact the final flavor. If you know your spices are old, consider increasing the amount.
And for more tasty mocktails…
Mocktails
- Cranberry Orange Mocktail from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Pineapple Coconut Mocktail from Jen Around the World
- Sparkling Cranberry Kiss from Family Around the Table
- Sparkling Lemon Blueberry Mocktail from That Recipe
- Sparkling Pineapple Paloma Mocktail from Palatable Pastime
- Spiced Apple Cider from Art of Natural Living
We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you’re at it, join our Pinterest board, too!
Hot Spiced Cider
Ingredients
- 1 quart apple cider 4 cups, organic if possible
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 orange slice or 1 t dried orange peel
- 4 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Measure apple cider into a saucepan. Add spices.
- Heat slowly until hot, but not boiling. Keep hot, but below boiling, until cider has taken on enough of the spice flavor, about a half hour.
- Strain out spices and serve
That is a surefire winner on cold winter nights
I agree!
I like apples but don’t enjoy eating them whole. This would be a perfect way to get added nutrition via apples! I like that it’s a hot drink, which I prefer over cold in winter.
I’d have this over an apple in a minute!
I love spiced hot cider — and would love a mug now, even though is 70-some degrees here and I just did a hike in shorts and a t-shirt… and was really hot!
I’d drink this in our summer too David, so I guess I’m with you. A hike in shorts sounds heavenly now, though I’m headed south for a week in Florida soon!
Yum! You can’t beat apple cider with spices!
Always a fave of mine too!
Hot Spiced Cider is not only good to drink but also it is beneficial for our health..
Yes–can’t beat that!
Hot spiced cider is truly a drink that is good for everyone’s health and you’re right about that Pita Bread. Almost all hot spiced cider made from apple, I think that’s why it makes it more healthier.
It took me more than half my life to warm up to Hot Spiced Cider, Inger. I’m so glad I finally discovered the goodness. Thanks for sharing, Inger…Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours!!!
The greener we get, the more hot beverages I like to drink! Have a great Thanksgiving as well!