Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (2024)

Published: Updated: By: Melissa Oleary

Jump to Recipe

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

5 comments

5 from 26 votes

This hot mulled apple cider with warm Fall spices will warm you up on even the coldest days. This mulled cider is so easy to make and the mulling spices ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. You will want to cozy up to this warm drink anytime the temperature drops!

Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (1)

This recipe for hot apple cider is what I learned to make when I lived in New England and it is a favorite recipe we continue to make today.

This easy warm apple drink is a symbol of all the flavors of fall. It is full of warm fall spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and is so comforting.

Much like my apple cider martini, spiced pear martini, pumpkin creme brulee, eggnog, or pumpkin cake, it has all the delicious warm Fall spices I love. When it is just me and I want another Fall treat to go with this, I make my mini pumpkin custards 🙂

An added bonus when making this warm cider is your home will smell wonderful with the apple and cinnamon scent filling it with a beautiful aroma. Once the temps drop, this is the drink you need to make!

Enjoy this cider any way you like but just make sure to make it!

Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (2)

What you will need

Cider

  • Apple Cider: Apple cider is different than apple juice. Make sure to look for cider.

Mulling Spice Recipe

  • Cinnamon sticks: Using whole cinnamon sticks makes it easier to remove after the mulling. This adds flavor to the cider.
  • Whole cloves. This adds such warmth to the mulled cider.
  • Orange peel: Just the peel which has the oil of the orange. I like this in mulled cider. You can leave it out if you do not.
  • Star anise. Not only is it pretty but this spice adds such a warming Fall note.
  • Any of your favorite Fall spices! Make this your own by adding in your favorite Fall spices.

How to make mulled apple cider

Making this is so easy. It is just adding the ingredients into a pot. Here are the steps (full recipe below):

  • Pour apple cider into a pot: Pour your cider into a large pot over the stove. You can use your slow cooker as well. Make sure you are using store-bought apple cider (not apple juice).
  • Adding mulling spices to your cider: Here you are going to add your Fall spices to the pot. You will want to use whole spices and not powdered.
  • Warm the apple cider: Cook it on low over your stovetop for about an hour and that is it!

Recipe Tip: You will start to see apple cider in your grocery stores (or at the apple orchards) around the start of the Fall season. If you have extra cider leftover from this recipe, you can make apple cider oatmeal with it so there is no waste!

Tips

  • Mulled cider in the slow cooker: You can make this in the slow cooker and it comes out great. Just set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for 1-2 hours. Make sure to check it periodically to be sure it is not evaporating too much.
  • Do not use powdered spices: You want to be able to serve this drink without any bits in it. By using whole spices you can remove them before serving or at least scoop some cider without it getting into your drink.
  • Make it your own: These are my favorite spices that are in the mulled cider recipe but you can definitely adjust this to suit your preference. This is your drink!
  • Serve this warm or hot: If you have young kids, make sure to serve this cider warm and not hot.

More like this

If you love this mulled cider recipe, you may also like these:

  • Easy Boozy Baileys Milkshake
  • Easy Eggnog Recipe (Without Alcohol)
  • Easy Homemade Marshmallows
  • Homemade Apple Dumplings with Puff Pastry

More Cozy Recipes

If you love this mulled cider, you may also like these cozy Fall recipes:

  • Pan Fried Gnocchi with Kale and Parmesan Cream
  • Pasta alla Genovese (Beef and Onion Genovese Sauce)
  • One Pot Sausage Tortellini Soup
  • Roasted Acorn Squash And Carrot Soup With Pistou

📖 Recipe

Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (11)

Print Recipe

5 from 26 votes

Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe)

This hot mulled apple cider with warm Fall spices will warm you up on even the coldest days.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Melissa Oleary

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon store bought apple cider not apple juice.
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tablespoon whole cloves or to taste
  • 1 orange peel cut into strips
  • 1 star anise whole
  • 1 piece of cheese cloth You can omit this but just make sure to skim the spices out at the end before serving

Instructions

  • In a large stock pot add all of your apple cider and turn the heat to medium.

    1 gallon store bought apple cider

  • Take your cheesecloth if using and wrap all of your spices (except orange peels) in it and tie it closed with some kitchen twine. If you do not have these things then just make sure you skim the spices out of the cider at the end of mulling.

    2 cinnamon sticks, 2 tablespoon whole cloves, 1 star anise whole, 1 piece of cheese cloth

  • Now add your spices and orange peel to your pot of cider

    1 orange peel

  • Once your cider starts to show steam coming off the top, turn heat to low and simmer for at least 30 minutes. I like to keep it on the stove for a few hours to scent up the house but you will loose some of the cider with evaporation.

  • Once your cider has been cooking for 30 minutes or so, ladle out into mugs, and enjoy.

Notes

Mulled cider in the slow cooker

You can make this mulled apple cider in the slow cooker and it comes out great. Just set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for 1-2 hours. Make sure to check it periodically to be sure it is not evaporating too much.

Alcohol that goes with mulled cider

If you are looking to make a mulled cider with alcohol all you need to do is add the alcohol to the cider at the time of serving. Whiskey and rum are great additions

    Nutrition

    Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition Values are estimates only.

    See full nutrition disclaimer here

    Tried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!

    Course :Drinks

    More Food

    • How To Make Dutch Oven Shredded Chicken
    • Smoked Brisket Chili (From Leftovers)
    • Dutch Oven Chili Recipe (Easy And Delicious)
    • How To Roast Poblano Peppers In The Oven

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply

    1. Dina says

      Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (16)
      Absolutely delicious! It tasted awesome and my whole house smells like a Fall candle:)

      Reply

      • Melissa says

        I am so glad you enjoyed it! There is nothing better than the smell of Fall in the house 🙂

        Reply

    2. Judy says

      Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (17)
      Everyone loved it!

      Reply

      • Melissa says

        So glad to hear that!

        Reply

    Mulled Apple Cider (Easy Recipe) (2024)

    FAQs

    How to make easy cider at home? ›

    If you want to go 'wild', add half a Campden tablet per 5 litres of juice. If you're adding a cultured yeast, add one Campden tablet per 5 litres of juice, wait 24 hours, then add the yeast. Both Campden tablets, hydrometers and a range of cultured yeast are easily available from all good home brew shops.

    What is the best cider for mulled cider? ›

    Full-bodied, dry and cloudy ciders that thins out when heated, are often a popular choice to mull. A sweet cider with a strong apple flavour is preferable, but it's also important that there's a hint of acidity to cut through the syrupy richness that too sweet a cider can result in.

    Can I just heat up apple cider? ›

    Apple cider is a versatile beverage you can integrate into your menu in a variety of ways. While delicious cold, you can turn apple cider into a warming and comforting drink by heating it on the stove and adding a sprinkle of your favorite type of cinnamon.

    How long will mulled cider keep? ›

    Leftover Mulled Cider can be stored in the fridge for upto 3 days. If you are making this recipe on the hob it will need gently simmering over a low heat for about one hour.

    How much alcohol is in homemade apple cider? ›

    Apple juice usually contains enough sugar to produce a hard cider containing 4 to 6% alcohol. If you want a cider with a higher alcohol content, you can add sugar, honey, or maple syrup at the beginning of the fermentation process.

    Does the alcohol cook out of mulled cider? ›

    Spiking Mulled Cider

    Add alcohol to a single mug or the batch of cider after cooking so the alcohol doesn't cook off.

    What is the difference between mulled cider and regular cider? ›

    Here's the difference between apple cider and apple juice: Apple cider is just unfiltered apple juice that can be served hot or cold. Mulled apple cider is unfiltered apple juice that's been heated and flavored with mulling spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice; and fruits like oranges, lemons, and apples.

    Is mulled cider good for you? ›

    Mulled apple cider contains nutrients found in apples, including antioxidants like polyphenols. Antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress to keep cells healthy. Apples are also rich in quercetin, pectin, vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber.

    What does warm apple cider do to your body? ›

    Apple cider contains polyphenols, which are compounds in plants that act as antioxidants. They can help the body to fight against free radicals and cell damage, lowering your risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Polyphenols also help to ease inflammation in the body.

    What alcohol is good in apple cider? ›

    Many alcohols mix well with apple cider. Dark liquors like bourbon (my pick) or dark rum are traditional, but they are by no means the only option. Vodka pairs well with apple cider and is a good light option. You can even let guests each pick their own.

    What does boiling apple cider do? ›

    Why It Works. This recipe is a classic reduction, an ideal way to concentrate the sweetness and tang of a well-balanced cider. Boiled cider syrup can be used to add depth to barbecue or baked beans and as a glaze for an apple cake or homemade apple fritters.

    Can you freeze mulled apple cider? ›

    To prolong the life of this all-natural fall drink simply freeze it! It can last indefinitely in the freezer but we recommend using it within a year to enjoy it at peak freshness. Be sure to remove some cider from the jug before you freeze it as the liquid will expand.

    Does apple cider turn into alcohol? ›

    When cider starts to “turn” it begins to become carbonated as fermentation turns it into alcohol. As cider becomes exposed to oxygen, airborne yeast mixes with the cider's natural sugars to produce acid. With this process, apple cider becomes alcoholic and eventually similar to vinegar.

    What happens when apple cider goes bad? ›

    Can apple cider go bad, or does apple cider expire? Well, it doesn't go bad in the sense that it's spoiled or expired and not safe for consumption. When unpasteurized apple cider is said to go bad, this means that it has started to ferment, and the sugars in it will eventually turn into alcohol.

    How quickly can you make cider? ›

    A constant cool temperature is much better than one that fluctuates. The fermentation time will depend on the room temperature and the initial starting gravity. 5 to 14 days is just a guide. The slower the fermentation the better the cider will taste.

    How to make your own alcoholic cider? ›

    3. Make Cider by Mixing Juice & Yeast
    1. Mix your juice, yeast, and sugar (adding sugar raises the ABV)
    2. Place the stopper and airlock into the bucket or carboy. Ferment for 10-14 days.
    3. Carbonate and bottle in your choice of beer bottle.
    4. Crack open a cold one and savor the moment!
    Sep 10, 2019

    Is it cheaper to make your own cider? ›

    If we say it cost a total of $2.75 to make this batch of 48oz, that would come out to $7.15/gallon. If cost is your only factor, then once you add up the ingredients, and the time spent making the cider, it would probably be faster and cheaper to stick a gallon or two in your cart next time you visit the store.

    Is it worth making your own cider? ›

    Rather than letting them go to waste, thoughts turn to making cider at home. Once you've done it and tasted your own cider, you'll want to make it again and again. It really is such a simple thing to make. And as well as being lovely to drink in the summer, it's great for mulled cider and casseroles in the winter.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Gregorio Kreiger

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6520

    Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

    Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Gregorio Kreiger

    Birthday: 1994-12-18

    Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

    Phone: +9014805370218

    Job: Customer Designer

    Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

    Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.