Mulled Apple Cider is like a warm hug on a cold day. It’s pleasantly spiced with a combination of whole cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and citrus. Serve it in a cozy mug as a non-alcoholic alternative to hot tea, or with a dash of rum or whiskey to feel extra warm inside. Brewing a big pot of mulled cider promises to deliver welcoming, cozy aromas throughout your kitchen and your house over the holidays and beyond.
Apple cider is so delicious. It’s the closest thing to making apple juice fresh from apples. Cider is a raw, unfiltered version of apple juice. I find the taste of apple cider to be superior to juice. It is more tart and is a little thicker. It brings me back to my childhood growing up in Indiana and Michigan where we would venture to apple orchards and farms for field trips and sample fresh-pressed apple cider. There is nothing that compares to farm-fresh cider!
Standard mulling spice blend –
- ground cinnamon and whole cinnamon sticks
- whole allspice
- orange rind
We stick with the standard and basic mulling spices using cinnamon, cloves, plus a little citrus with orange peel. Other mulling spice options you may like to experiment with adding according to your personal tastes include nutmeg, cardamom, and star anise. The star anise is so naturally pretty and decorative – if you can find it use it as a fun floating garnish.
Our citrus trees in the back have been bursting with fruit this year. Subsequently we are gifted with an abundance of fresh lemons and oranges to elevate our foods and drinks. A little squeeze of citrus in the mug just before serving along with a slice of orange as a garnish adds tangy interest to our warm, sweet drink.
The timing couldn’t be better for our orange tree to gift us with loads of immune-boosting fruit. Our pup Penny appreciates that we have put supports to hold the heavy tree and fruit-filled branches up.
Spice tips
For simplicity, I often resort to pre-mixed spice blends and mulling spices. My favorite is William’s Sonoma’s mulling spices. It has everything on our mulling spice list plus cinnamon oil and orange oil. The oils enhance the flavors and the smells. Therefore your house will smell so sweetly delcious and inviting.
Good spice blends can be expensive. Whole cloves are pricey as are whole cinnamon sticks. Surprisingly, a little goes a long way and the longer you brew, the more all the delicious spices steep in.
In conclusion, whether you gather each spice ingredient separately or resort to a premixed mulling spice blend, the process for brewing cider with spices is similar to that used for brewing loose tea. Pack a spice ball with mulling spices and allow it to brew while the cider is warming up. Add a few cinnamon sticks to the pot and stir.
Ingredients and Kitchen Tools
In terms of kitchen gear, I stick to the basics. Any large, stovetop pot will do, the bigger the better as the liquid boils off and the cider goes quickly.
If you’re not lucky enough to live close to a cider mill farm, there are many brands of cider on the market. Remember, unfiltered apple juice is the same thing as apple cider.
Add whole cinnamon sticks to the brew – save a few to use as stir sticks when serving warm cider. Whole star anise is beautiful as a garnish in the mug. Orange slices also look lovely floating and add extra flavor.
I recommend a big spice ball to fill up with spices to throw in the steaming pot. That way there won’t be bits and pieces in your mug as you are taking delightful warm sips. When making a large pot of mulled cider, the bigger the spice ball the better. Trust me, your whole house is going to smell downright delicious!
Lastly, place the spice ball and hot mulled cider in a big pot so all can enjoy it. We serve it in mugs using a large soup ladle.It’s a tradition that I serve hot spiced cider during our family’s annual cookie exchange. In our family cider and cookies mark the holidays.
Cookies to pair with cider:
I make my twisty candy cane minty cookies every year. It’s become expected from closer friends and family. In more recent years I’ve shifted to aromatic, gluten-free Persian cookies. Any way you slice it, cookies are fun to dip into hot cider.
Our girls have come to look forward to a steamy mug of mom’s cider with a soft blanket and a good Netflix show.
Spiking the cider
- rum, dark
- bourbon
- whiskey
For those interested in feeling extra warm inside it’s easy to splash in a little dark rum, bourbon, or whiskey straight into the mug, spike it and stir it with a cinnamon stick. Obvioiusly, adding spirits after brewing avoids having your alcohol burn off and keeps it customizable as an option for all ages to enjoy.
Pretty garnish options
- whole cinnamon sticks
- star anise
- orange slices
- fresh cranberries
Although mulled cider is a cozy, anytime mug drink, it’s fun to spruce it up and create a pretty presentation, especially around the holidays. My favorite way to serve mulled cider is with a whole cinnamon stick. The cinnamon stick acts as a mixer to stir up any thick parts of the cider and rum if you choose to partake in spirits. The easiest garnish is a slice of orange. You can float the fresh slice of orange right in the mug or cut a small slit and wedge to the side of the mug or glass. Star anise is so naturally interesting. Float a couple of whole star anise in the cider. Fresh cranberries add a fun pop of holiday color!
Cheers! Will you be ringing in the holidays with cozy mulled cider?
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