You may recall from my apple crumble blog post that my family’s favorite tradition is going apple picking together every year. This Hot Cider brings those fond memories back right in time for the next holiday! This easy recipe uses 6 simple ingredients and comes together in about 15 minutes. I love how sweet, festive, budget-friendly, and nostalgic this hot apple cider is; it warms you right up from the inside out!
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What is Hot Cider?
I make this hot cider recipe by gently warming apple cider on the stove with cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, fresh ginger, maple syrup, and orange slices. As it simmers, it creates a cozy, fragrant, and flavorful drink that’s perfect for those chilly fall or winter days. It’s also known as mulled cider or spiced apple cider!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade hot apple cider recipe:
- Apple Cider: You want to use apple cider, not regular apple juice or apple cider vinegar (save the latter for my apple cider shrub mocktail recipe!). Apple cider is pretty easy to find at the grocery store over the fall and winter months. If you have one, your local farmer’s market may also carry fresh pressed apple cider. Choose whichever option fits your budget best.
- Orange: I add orange slices to the cider as it simmers to infuse it with a sweet, zesty orange flavor. Use the whole slice, peel, and all!
- Cinnamon Sticks & Ground Nutmeg: These are my mulling spices of choice. If you have whole nutmeg to shave, the flavor will be more pronounced, but I found ground to be just as good! You could also use ground cinnamon if that’s all you have on hand, but straining it becomes key so you don’t wind up with a gritty hot cider.
- Fresh Ginger: I recommend sticking with fresh ginger in this recipe, as that medicinal punchy kick of the spicy ginger really brings this budget-friendly recipe to the next level. Also, I’ve noticed fresh ginger is way cheaper than usual at the grocery store right now; it’s ginger harvesting season, so that’s likely why.
- Maple Syrup: Adds a delicious sweetness to this recipe. If you don’t have maple syrup, you could use brown sugar as a substitute, but it’ll adjust the flavor.
What’s the Difference Between Apple Cider and Apple Juice?
The main difference between the two is that apple cider is typically unfiltered (meaning it can have bits of pulp in it) and has a more cloudy appearance, while apple juice is filtered and clearer. Apple cider can be either pasteurized or unpasteurized, whereas apple juice is almost always pasteurized and sometimes has added sugar or preservatives. Apple cider is often just pure pressed apples, giving it a more natural and slightly tangier flavor!
Tips & Suggestions to Try!
- If you already have some whole cloves in your pantry, I highly suggest throwing in a couple of those as well. I love the flavor they add, but they can be pretty pricey, so I left them out of my recipe.
- This recipe is easy to scale up for a crowd, so go ahead and buy the gallon of cider! I use a large pot when making this for a group. Everyone can help themselves and add their own garnishes as desired. You can also taste this as it steeps and adjust accordingly as you go!
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and garnishes. Some people like adding a touch of vanilla extract, lemon peel, or peppercorns for added spice. You could also try mixing in another fruit juice like we do in our slow cooker spiced cranberry apple cider. I occasionally slice up an apple and add it to the pot for extra flavor. Have fun with it, and make it your own!
- For an adult beverage, add a splash of brandy, bourbon, or whiskey to your mug before pouring in the hot spiced cider!
How to Store & Reheat
This recipe makes 2 servings, so it’s unlikely you’ll have much leftover—especially if you’re sharing it with a friend! However, if you do have leftovers or are making a large batch, let the strained cider cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. Pasteurized apple cider is good for about a week, while unpasteurized cider should be consumed within 3 days. I’d reheat individual servings in the microwave or in a pot on the stove.
Hot Cider Recipe
Servings 2 servings (1.5 cups each)Ingredients
- 3 cups apple cider ($1.32)
- 2 slices of orange ($0.25)
- 2 cinnamon sticks ($0.49)
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced ($0.09)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup ($0.31)
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ($0.17)
Instructions
- Gather the apple cider, slices of orange, cinnamon sticks, peeled and sliced fresh ginger, maple syrup, and ground nutmeg.
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer for 5-10 minutes. You want it to simmer for long enough where the orange begins to change color, but not so long that the cider begins to evaporate.
- Strain the cider through a fine strainer or cheesecloth.
- Serve hot with orange slices and cinnamon sticks added back to each mug.
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Equipment
- Cheesecloth or Fine Strainer
Nutrition
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how to make Hot Apple Cider – step by step photos
Gather the 3 cups apple cider, 2 slices of orange, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 inch of peeled and sliced fresh ginger, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, and ¼ tsp ground nutmeg.
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer for 5-10 minutes. You want it to simmer for long enough where the orange begins to change color, but not so long that the cider begins to evaporate.
Strain the cider through a fine strainer or cheesecloth.
Serve hot with orange slices and cinnamon sticks added back to each mug.
Try this recipe for hot apple cider and say good bye to those pre-made mixes forever!
