Simple Mulled Apple Cider
A warm, fragrant beverage steeped with cinnamon, cloves, and orange. Fresh apple cider simmers gently with whole spices, filling your kitchen with the cozy aroma of autumn. Perfect for chilly evenings or holiday gatherings, ready in under 30 minutes.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~2 min
Prep the orange and ginger.
Slice the orange into thin rounds and cut the ginger into 4 thin slices. No need to peel the ginger.
- simmer · ~5 min
Combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
Pour the apple cider into a medium saucepan. Add the orange slices, ginger slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, and star anise. Stir in the brown sugar if using. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer — do not let it boil vigorously.
TIPKeep the heat at a gentle simmer. Boiling hard will make the cider cloudy and alter the flavor. - simmer · ~15 min
Simmer gently for 15 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the cider steep with the spices for 15 minutes. The longer it steeps, the more intense the spice flavor becomes.
TIPFor deeper spice flavor, turn off the heat and let it steep for an additional 15 minutes before straining. - other · ~1 min
Strain the mulled cider.
Place a fine mesh strainer over a heatproof pitcher or another saucepan. Carefully pour the cider through the strainer to remove all the whole spices, orange slices, and ginger.
- serve · ~1 min
Ladle into mugs and serve warm.
Pour the strained hot cider into mugs. Garnish each mug with a fresh cinnamon stick or a thin orange slice if desired.
TIPKeep any leftover cider warm in a slow cooker on the 'keep warm' setting for parties.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For a clearer cider, strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve to catch fine spice particles.
- 2Add the brown sugar at the very end after tasting — the cider's natural sweetness may be enough.
- 3If you prefer a stronger clove flavor, stud the orange slices with the cloves before simmering.
- 4Use unfiltered fresh apple cider for the richest, most authentic apple flavor.
- 5Steep the spices for up to 30 minutes off the heat for deeper flavor without overcooking.
- 6Keep mulled cider warm in a slow cooker on low for hours — perfect for holiday parties.
- 7Avoid boiling the cider; a gentle simmer preserves its clarity and fresh apple taste.
Adapt it for your goals.
Alcoholic
Add 1/2 cup of bourbon, dark rum, or Calvados after straining for a spiked holiday sipper.
sugar freeSugar-free
Skip the brown sugar and let the natural sweetness of the apple cider shine — no artificial sweeteners needed.
spiced tea blendSpiced tea blend
Add 2 chai tea bags during the last 5 minutes of simmering for a chai-apple fusion.
cranberry twistCranberry twist
Substitute 1 cup of apple cider with unsweetened cranberry juice for a tarter, ruby-hued drink.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Antioxidants
Apples, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger all provide polyphenols that help fight oxidative stress.
Anti-Inflammatory Spices
Ginger and cinnamon contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds that may soothe the body when warm.
Low in Added Sugar
The optional brown sugar can be omitted entirely, making this a naturally low-sugar warm beverage.
Digestive Aid
Ginger and cloves have traditionally been used to support digestion and ease an upset stomach.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but the flavor will be less rich and tangy. Apple cider is unfiltered and has more body and depth.
