Spiced Apple Cider Orange (Printable)
A comforting warm cider infused with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and fresh orange slices.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruit & Juice
01 - 6 cups fresh apple cider
02 - 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
→ Spices & Sweeteners
04 - 2 cinnamon sticks
05 - 5 whole cloves
06 - 3 whole star anise
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, optional
# How-to Steps:
01 - In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, orange slices, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and nutmeg.
02 - Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer.
03 - Reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
04 - Taste and add honey or maple syrup if a sweeter beverage is desired; stir until fully dissolved.
05 - Remove from heat and strain out spices and orange slices using a fine mesh sieve if preferred.
06 - Serve hot in mugs, garnished with additional orange slices or a cinnamon stick as desired.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- It fills your entire kitchen with a warmth that somehow tastes as good as it smells.
- Ready in 25 minutes with minimal effort, but tastes like you've been tending to it all day.
- Naturally sweet, naturally spiced, and endlessly forgiving to make again and again.
02 -
- Don't let the cider boil hard—it will become sharp and lose its rounded, comforting quality that makes this drink special.
- Whole spices are more forgiving than ground ones because they release flavor gradually; if you use ground spices by accident, reduce the simmering time or they'll taste bitter.
03 -
- Make a batch and reheat it gently throughout the day—it actually tastes better as the flavors deepen, and your kitchen will smell incredible every time you warm a mug.
- If you can only find pasteurized cider, choose one without added sugar or spices so you're starting with a blank canvas to work from.