Spiced Cider Warming Drink (Printable)

A fragrant apple cider infused with warming spices and citrus, perfect for cozy, cool-weather gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cider

01 - 6 cups apple cider, unfiltered preferred

→ Spices

02 - 2 cinnamon sticks
03 - 6 whole cloves
04 - 4 whole allspice berries
05 - 1 star anise (optional)
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

→ Citrus

07 - 1 orange, sliced
08 - 1 lemon, sliced (optional)

→ Sweetener

09 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup, to taste

# How-to Steps:

01 - Pour the apple cider into a large saucepan or pot.
02 - Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, star anise if using, and freshly grated nutmeg to the cider.
03 - Add the sliced orange and optional lemon to the pot.
04 - Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture just to a simmer, avoiding boiling.
05 - Reduce heat to low and let the cider steep gently for 15 to 20 minutes to infuse the flavors.
06 - Taste the cider and add brown sugar or maple syrup if desired, stirring until fully dissolved.
07 - Strain the cider to remove spices and fruit slices before serving.
08 - Serve hot in mugs, optionally garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange slice.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • It's proof that five ingredients can make your entire kitchen smell like a cozy moment.
  • Ready in under 30 minutes with almost no fuss, perfect for when unexpected guests show up.
  • Naturally sweet and warming without feeling heavy or complicated.
02 -
  • Don't let it boil—I learned this the hard way when the spices turned bitter and the whole pot tasted like I'd accidentally burned something.
  • Unfiltered cider really does taste different; filtered cider can work, but reduce the added sweetener because it's already been sweetened more.
03 -
  • Fresh nutmeg ground right into the pot changes everything—pre-ground nutmeg tastes flat by comparison, so invest in a microplane grater if you don't have one.
  • The longer you simmer, the stronger the spice flavor, so taste at the 15-minute mark and decide if you want to go longer for a more intense taste.

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