Description
This hot spiced apple cider, also called mulled cider, is a sweet and spicy drink that will warm you right up on a cold day.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1/2 gallon apple cider (sweet apple cider, not hard cider)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (you can substitute brown sugar or a mixture of maple syrup and brown sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 3–4 cinnamon sticks
- Dash of ground nutmeg (if you can grate fresh nutmeg, it’s even better)
- 1 orange, sliced
Instructions
- To cook on the stove, combine all ingredients in a heavy pot and place the lid on the pot set slightly ajar. Simmer over low to medium-low heat for 1 hour. You want the cider to bubble gently around the edges of the pot but do not allow it to boil.
- To make the spiced apple cider in a slow cooker, combine all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, and set it on low to cook for 3-4 hours. If you are pressed for time, set it on high and cook for 2 hours.
- Before serving, use a strainer to strain out the spices and orange slices. Take care to strain out all of the cloves as they could present a choking hazard. Be cautious because the cider will be piping hot! (*See Notes below)
- If you want to keep the cider hot at a party or other gathering, return the strained cider to a pot and set on the stove on low. You can also return to the crockpot and set on warm. Place a ladle in the cider and allow guests to serve themselves.
- To make the hot cider extra special, you can add whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, or garnish with apple slices or a cookie. For an adult beverage, add a shot of rum, bourbon, whiskey, or brandy.
Notes
If you wish, you can tie up the whole spices in a piece of cheesecloth and float it in the cider while it simmers. This way, you can avoid having to strain the hot cider.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour