This rich, fragrant Mulled Apple Cider is the perfect hot wintertime beverage. It keeps you toasty warm on crisp evenings and makes a fabulous punch to serve at a party. The sweet spices fill your home with an irresistible aroma. Deliciousness at every sip!

The days are turning short and cold around here. As much as I love warmer weather, I have to say that winter has its own charm. Especially when the holidays are around the corner.

Last weekend we took our first winter walk to see Christmas lights around the town. It was late afternoon and pretty chilly. Perfect conditions to fill our thermos with the first Mulled Apple Cider of the season 🙂

When you go for a walk on a cold winter’s evening, a warm, spiced drink is exactly what you need to keep you feeling toasty!

Today I am sharing my Mulled Apple Cider recipe, which can be served Virgin or Spiked. No matter which one you prefer, either will warm you up while making your home smell divine. Anyone familiar with the smell of mulled apple cider knows how irresistible it is. This drink offers deliciousness in every sip!

But you don’t need to go for a walk to have an excuse to make some Mulled Apple Cider. It provides a simple and comforting winter night’s treat whether you’re watching your favorite movie alone or sharing a cup with family or friends. This recipe is very easy to scale up or down according to your needs.

What is Mulled Apple Cider?

Mulled Apple Cider is a drink made with apple cider that has been simmered with a combination of spices and fruits, giving it a deep, rich flavor. It makes for a stress-free, festive batch drink to serve at a party, as well as a warming beverage on a cold winter’s night.

What to love about this Mulled Apple Cider

It’s easy to make and can be adapted to your taste
It’s brimming with delicious flavors
It will make your house smell amazing
You can prepare it virgin or spiked so everyone can enjoy
It’s the perfect hot drink to serve to guests on winter afternoons in place of tea or coffee

What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

First thing, you need to make sure you buy the right ingredient – apple cider. As a general rule, you’re looking for cloudy apple cider displayed in the fridge section. You can also buy either French apple cider with no added sugar or spices or unfiltered apple juice.

Make sure you don’t get confused with regular clear apple juice, which is normally filtered and sweeter (it can often have added sugars). Apple cider has a bit more body and a deeper, earthier taste that makes the difference. Above all, avoid apple juice from concentrate.

My best advice, though, if you have the chance is to grab unpasteurized fresh apple cider from a local farm. It’s totally worth it!

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How to make a perfect Mulled Apple Cider

Mulling the perfect apple cider depends on the combination and amount of spices used. It’s all about finding the right balance between sweet spices like cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, or cardamom, and more intense ones like ginger and cloves. I like the acidic note that citrus fruits impart, so I also recommend adding whole slices of lemon, orange, as well as cranberries.

Prepare your mulling spice mix in advance and keep it ready for when you need it. Pack some in a little glass jar or a spice bag for a very cute homemade gift!

Tips for making Mulled Apple Cider

Making mulled apple cider is easy, but with a few tricks, you can make it even better.

Use whole spices – they are fresher and tastier and will leave less spice residue in the bottom of your glass
Using a little cheesecloth spice bag or a large tea ball for infusing ensures that no spice pieces make their way into your drink
Don’t rush the steeping process – the spices need some time to completely release their flavors
Don’t add any sugar – apple cider is sweet enough on its own

What spirit is best to spike Mulled Apple Cider?

If you want to give a kick to your Mulled Apple Cider, here are my favorite pairings.

Brandy – With its smooth and bold body and a slightly fruity note, brandy often makes an appearance spiking mulled drinks. Particularly Cognac, which is aged in oak barrels. A match made in heaven!
Rum – A golden rum from the Caribbean contributes hints of caramel and warm spice, which complements the apple really well. Delicious.
Bourbon – The gentle sweetness and earthy wood notes of bourbon pair incredibly well with Mulled Apple Cider. An easy way to add personality to your drink.

Check my Instagram page for more ideas!

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Virgin or Spiked Mulled Apple Cider

Course Drinks

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Infusing Time 30

Servings 4

Author Mara

Equipment

A cheesecloth or muslin spice bag or tea infuser ball, optional

Ingredients

For the Mulling Spice Mix

10 cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
3 cardamom pods
3 star anise
3 peppercorns
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

For The Mulled Apple Cider

33 oz (1 lt) fresh apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
2 large slices of orange
1 large slice of lemon
1/3 cup (45g) fresh or frozen cranberries
4 oz (120ml) of your favorite spirit, optional
1 apple, cored and sliced, to garnish

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients except the spirit, if using, and the apple garnish into a pot. On a low heat, gently bring up to almost a simmer, stirring a couple of times, for about 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, turn off the heat. Cover and leave to infuse for 30 minutes.
Remove the spice bag or strain through a fine sieve into another pot and leave to stand until ready. Re-heat when needed.
If serving the cider spiked, put 1 oz of your favorite spirit in the bottom of 4 glasses and top each with the warm apple cider.
Garnish with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick to stir.

Virgin or Spiked Mulled Apple Cider – It’s Love at Every Sip!

What is Mulled Apple Cider?

What to love about this Mulled Apple Cider