Mulled Apple Cider Recipe

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posted by Liz Berg

on December 8, 2020 (updated 10/19/22)

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Mulled apple cider is a warm fall drink, perfect for removing the chill from your bones! It’s an easy drink to make and yet, special enough to serve to company. This post was sponsored by North Coast Organic and Kitchen PLAY, but all opinions are my own.

With holiday parties on the horizon, it’s time to plan for some terrific food and drinks, and Hot Apple Cider is clearly a winning choice.

Mulled Apple Cider Recipe - Perfect for Winter Parties - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (1)

Table of Contents hide

1 Why You Must Make

2 Ingredient Notes:

3 How to Make

4 Expert Tips

5 Frequently Asked Questions

6 You May Also Like:

7 Mulled Apple Cider Recipe

Why You Must Make

Our winters are chilly around here, and I sip on hot tea day in and day out to keep warm. Miss Izzy, our lab puppy, loves to sit on my feet and that, too, helps keep me toasty. When I had a group of nearly 50 of my volunteer friends over for a coffee, we had the requisite pot of coffee brewing, a teapot filled with piping hot water, and a pot of fragrant and delicious mulled apple cider. It was a hit!

It only takes minutes to prepare and fills the house with a lovely autumnal aroma.
Mulled cider is super easy to prepare.
Later, when I had some girlfriends over for a chilly October driveway visit mid-pandemic, they also gave this cider recipe rave reviews!

Ingredient Notes:

Kitchen Staples – sugar
Apple Cider – I used Northcoast Organic’s Apple Cider which has no sugar added
Cloves
Star Anise – I love the look of these floating in the cider. I found them locally at Fresh Market.
Cinnamon Sticks
Allspice
Vanilla Bean Pod
Navel Orange

Mulled Apple Cider Recipe - Perfect for Winter Parties - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (2)

How to Make

This mulled apple cider recipe is totally customizable to your tastes. But no matter what you add to your cider, the process of making mulled cider is very easy. There are seasoning packets you can buy, but it’s so darn easy to make, that once you give it ago, it will become a cold-weather tradition!

Add cider, spices, vanilla, and orange slices to a large pot.
Bring to a simmer and gently cook for 15-20 minutes.
Taste and add sugar if needed.
Serve hot with a cinnamon stick or orange slice in each mug.
You can move the mulled cider to a slow cooker to keep warm for your guests if desired.

Expert Tips

First, make sure you have all the ingredients. A good brand of apple cider is key. You may not have whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, vanilla pod, and especially any star anise in your kitchen. You can definitely customize your apple cider mulling spices, but I love this combination.
You can always use a pinch or two of ground cloves and a little vanilla extract to substitute for the whole spices. But try to pick up some cinnamon sticks and star anise as they look beautiful floating in the serving vessel.
Of course, you can always leave out the cloves or star anise if that’s your preference.
A couple of lemon slices (or peel) can be added in addition to theoranges, but make sure to taste the mulled cider for sweetness if you add lemon.
If you’d rather add honey to sweeten instead of sugar, go for it.
You can move the mulled cider to a slow cooker to keep warm for your guests if desired.
And for an adult gathering, feel free to pour in some rum!
Serve it up with some shortbread cookies or scones for a special treat.

I hope you enjoy this hot toddy as much as my friends and I did. Whip up some mulled apple cider for your next fall or winter gathering!

Mulled Apple Cider Recipe - Perfect for Winter Parties - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (3)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mulled Cider?

The word mulled is a British term for wine heated with sugar and spices, which was most often served around Christmas. It has expanded to mean more than just alcoholic beverages, including hot drinks like this cider enhanced with citrus fruit and spices.

Where Did Mulled Cider Originate?

Its roots are British and it may be descended from Wassail, a drink made with ale or wine, sweetened with sugar, and flavored with spices.

Can You Add Alcohol to Mulled Cider Recipe?

Yes, it will maximize the “warming” power when indulging after sledding or skiing. Consider adding rum, spiced rum, brandy, or bourbon to spike your warm cider

What Are Some of the Mulling Spices Used in Warm Cider?

Besides adding slices of citrus fruits, spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice or nutmeg are used to flavor mulled cider. I also like adding star anise since the beautiful, unusual 8-segmented stars look lovely floating in the cider. A vanilla bean pod is another tasty addition.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time25 minutes

Yield16

This jazzed up apple cider makes for a terrific autumn or winter drink.

Ingredients

1 gallon apple cider, North Coast Organic is recommended
2 cloves
2 star anise
3 cinnamon sticks
A pinch of allspice
1 vanilla bean pod, split
1 navel orange, sliced
¼ cup sugar, optional

Instructions

Pour apple cider into a large pot. Add spices, vanilla bean, and orange slices.
Heat to just a simmer and let cook on low to allow the flavors to meld for about 15-20 minutes.
Taste and add sugar if desired.
Serve hot.

Notes

The sugar is optional. Taste and see if you'd like a sweeter drink before adding.

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

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Note: This post may contain affiliate links; view my Disclosure Policy for details. I earn a small percentage from any purchase you make by clicking on these links at no extra cost to you.

Beverages Entertaining Fall Holidays Popular

posted by Liz Berg on December 8, 2020
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25 Comments on “Mulled Apple Cider”

Ben | Havocinthekitchen — December 10, 2020 @ 8:01 pm Reply

Mulled apple cider always is a great idea, and we often enjoy it during cold winter nights. My favourite spice is cardamom as it goes so well with apple flavour to my taste. But I never would have thought of adding a vanilla bean – that’s such a brilliant addition. Thanks for the idea!
Pam — December 10, 2020 @ 5:34 pm Reply

Love your mulled cider, Liz! Perfect for this time of year and bet it is delicious!
Eva Taylor — December 10, 2020 @ 7:34 am Reply

Definitely a sign of fall, so warming and comforting. Great for entertaining outdoors too.
John / Kitchen Riffs — December 9, 2020 @ 9:45 am Reply

I love mulled apple cider! I sometimes add a touch of brown sugar and a jolt of dark rum to mine. But this looks wonderful just as is! Thanks.
CP — November 9, 2020 @ 10:30 am Reply

All my favorite seasonal spices in this one…so perfect for the holiday season.
Lindsay Cotter — November 5, 2020 @ 9:47 am Reply

This is our favorite fall drink! It’s so warm and cozy! Perfect for this time of year!
wilhelmina — November 4, 2020 @ 12:30 pm Reply

I love this cider! It is so warm and cozy and comforting. The best bonus is how good the whole house smells while it is warming!
Toni Dash — November 4, 2020 @ 8:34 am Reply

I loved it!! Such a delicious fall drink! Such an amazing giveaway!
Ashley — November 3, 2020 @ 1:32 pm Reply

I have a gallon of cider just waiting to be turned into this drink! I love this for a cold fall or winter day
Cheryl Potts — August 28, 2018 @ 7:14 pm Reply

We drank this all last fall and winter. I ma so exited for the fall to come and drink it again!
Blackswan — November 23, 2017 @ 1:48 am Reply

Awesome sharing, dear! I’m drinking apple cider every morning with honey 🙂
Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction — November 7, 2015 @ 10:03 pm Reply

Lizzy,
I’m sure everyone loved your cider. It’s amazing that you cater to such big gatherings. We had quite a cold and snowy winter last year…compared to the normally cold winters we get. It started late but it seemed never ending. And, Izzy is adorable.
Annamaria
Vicki Bensinger — November 7, 2015 @ 9:28 am Reply

I love mulled apple cider, it’s comforting and delicious. I like that yours has just a bit of sugar, where so many are loaded with it.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes — November 4, 2015 @ 8:37 am Reply

This would smell amazing simmering on the stove.
Brian — November 2, 2015 @ 6:56 pm Reply

I love the scent and taste of Apple Cider n the Fall. Especially when more complex flavors are introduced…
Carole S — November 2, 2015 @ 9:10 am Reply

I have never cared for hot cider. Love my cider cold and my tea piping hot. 🙂
Thank you for the fabulous giveaway.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen — November 2, 2015 @ 8:14 am Reply

Tasty cider. Tasty giveaway!
mjskitchen — November 1, 2015 @ 10:40 pm Reply

Love this time of year and these delicious ciders!
Lynn@Happier Than A Pig In Mud — November 1, 2015 @ 5:37 pm Reply

Sounds like a nice hearty cider Liz, love the addition of vanilla:@)
Mary Hirsch — November 1, 2015 @ 4:19 pm Reply

Don’t you think this cider could be made in a crock pot by cranking it up to high heat after putting it all together. Love the addition of anise. It’s cold enough for this right now, thatr’s for sure.
- Liz Berg — November 1, 2015 @ 5:05 pm Reply
  
  Definitely! Then you wouldn’t need to worry about it at all!
Debra — November 1, 2015 @ 12:55 pm Reply

I love the smell of mulled cider or wassail. I almost ’tis the season for these hot drinks!
Eva Taylor — November 1, 2015 @ 8:53 am Reply

Absolutely love mulled cider, I’ve not had it with the orange but I can see how tasty they would make it. I can’t get warm this time of year either, particularly my feet.
manu — November 1, 2015 @ 8:47 am Reply

I bet it’s delicious!!
Perfect for a lazy Sunday!
xox
claudia lamascolo — November 1, 2015 @ 7:33 am Reply

what a great giveaway! love the cider

Mulled Apple Cider Recipe - Perfect for Winter Parties - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (2024)

Why You Must Make

Ingredient Notes:

How to Make

Expert Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

You May Also Like: