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A glass of mulled apple cider with cinnamon stick

Hot Apple Cider

A warming autumn beverage that combines fresh apple juice with aromatic mulling spices. Perfect for cool evenings, holiday gatherings, or any time you crave a cozy, spiced drink.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 19gSugar: 19g

Ingredients
  

  • 8 apples a mix of sweet and tart varieties
  • 1 orange sliced
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp whole allspice
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 8 cups water

Instructions
 

  • Wash, core, and roughly chop the apples. There's no need to peel them as the skins will add flavor and color to the cider.
  • In a large pot, combine the chopped apples, orange slices, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, brown sugar, allspice, whole cloves, and ground nutmeg.
  • Pour 8 cups of water into the pot, ensuring that the ingredients are fully submerged.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least about 1 hour or longer. The longer it simmers, the more intense the flavors will be.
  • Mash the softened apples with a potato masher to extract maximum flavor. Afterward, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot or heat-resistant bowl.
  • Reheat the strained cider if needed and serve it warm. Garnish each cup with a cinnamon stick and apple slices for an extra touch. You can refrigerate your cider to keep it last longer.

Notes

  • Use an instant pot to reduce the simmer time. It takes around 20 minutes.
  • Make apple cider from apple juice by pouring the apple juice into a large pot and gently heating it over medium-low heat. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a touch of nutmeg to the liquid, letting the spices mingle and enhance the flavor.
  • Allow the mixture to simmer, but not boil, for at least 20-30 minutes. You can toss in a few slices of fresh orange or lemon peel for a hint of citrusy brightness. Once the cider has absorbed the rich essence of the spices, strain out the solids, and serve your homemade apple cider.
Keyword autumn recipes, homemade drink, hot apple cider, mulled cider, winter drinks
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