Description
Warm, comforting, and perfectly spiced, this mulled apple cider with spices is an autumn and winter favorite. With fragrant cinnamon, cloves, and citrus peels, it’s the perfect drink for cozy evenings or festive gatherings. Add a splash of rum for an adult twist or keep it alcohol-free for the whole family to enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 8 whole allspice berries
- Orange peel from 1 orange (use a zester or peeler)
- Lemon peel from 1 lemon (avoid the bitter white pith)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 6 cups apple cider or freshly squeezed apple juice
- Apple slices and orange twists, for garnish
- 1/2 cup dark rum (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients:
- Wash the orange and lemon. Peel the citrus carefully to avoid the bitter white pith.
- Combine spices and citrus:
- In a medium saucepan, add the cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, allspice berries, orange peel, and lemon peel.
- Add maple syrup and cider:
- Pour in the maple syrup and apple cider. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer the cider:
- Heat the mixture over medium heat until it’s just about to boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Strain (optional):
- If desired, strain the cider through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the spices and citrus peels.
- Serve:
- Pour the cider into mugs or heatproof glasses. Garnish each serving with apple slices and orange twists.
- Optional – Add rum:
- For an adult-friendly version, stir in a splash of dark rum to each mug.
Notes
- Customizations: Adjust the spices and sweetness to your liking. Add a pinch of nutmeg or a slice of fresh ginger for a unique twist.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Mulled cider can be prepared a day in advance. Store it in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Omit the rum to keep it family-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Beverages (Hot Drinks)
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg