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warm mulled apple cider - featured image

Warm Mulled Apple Cider: 5-Ingredient Cozy Winter Drink

  • Author: Lara
  • Total Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

A simple, comforting winter drink made with just five ingredients. This warm mulled apple cider is easy to make, customizable with optional alcohol, and perfect for cozy nights or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 gallon (3.7 liters) fresh-pressed apple cider
  • 1 large orange (zest and slices)
  • 2 large cinnamon sticks
  • 6–8 whole cloves
  • 2–3 star anise
  • Optional: 1 whole nutmeg, freshly grated
  • Optional: Brown sugar or maple syrup to taste
  • Optional: Bourbon, dark rum, or brandy (1-2 oz per serving)

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange thoroughly. Slice it into thin rounds and remove any seeds. Peel the orange into strips, aiming for just the colored zest to minimize bitterness.
  2. Pour the apple cider into a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Add the orange slices, orange peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. If using nutmeg, grate it into the pot now.
  3. Place the pot over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Do not boil. Once simmering, reduce heat to low, cover partially, and steep for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Taste the cider. Adjust sweetness with brown sugar or maple syrup if needed, or add lemon juice if it is too sweet. Let steep longer if more spice flavor is desired.
  5. If adding alcohol, stir it in now to preserve the flavor. Add 1-2 ounces per serving or a cup for the whole batch.
  6. Strain the cider into mugs to remove spices and orange slices, or serve rustic with spices left in. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or star anise and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not boil the cider as it can make the drink taste metallic or flat. Use whole spices rather than ground spices to avoid bitterness and grit. The drink can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the spirits.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Beverage
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 28
  • Sodium: 5
  • Carbohydrates: 30

Keywords: mulled apple cider, winter drink, cozy recipe, 5-ingredient recipe, holiday drink, non-alcoholic cider, warm drink

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Find it online: https://alldinnerecipes.com/warm-mulled-apple-cider-5-ingredient-cozy-winter-drink/