Mulled Apple Cider
Warm, spiced mulled apple cider simmered with orange, cinnamon and cloves. A cozy, non-alcoholic drink for fall and the holidays.
20% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 10 min
- Cooking
- 40 min
- Serves
- 10
- Calories
- 190
- Protein
- 1 g
- Per serving
- $3.95
Why this recipe works
Mulled cider is the drink that makes a house smell like the holidays while it simmers. It needs almost no attention — start it, let it steep, and ladle it out as people arrive.
- Simmering the cider gently (not boiling) for 30 to 45 minutes lets the whole spices infuse fully without the cider reducing and turning syrupy.
- Whole spices, not ground, keep the cider clear and easy to strain, with no gritty sediment in the mug.
- Orange slices added with the spices release both juice and fragrant oil from the peel as they steep.
Ingredients
You will need
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Fine-mesh strainer or slotted spoon
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Combine
Put the apple cider, orange slices, ginger, cinnamon sticks and cloves into the pot.
Simmer
Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover and simmer gently for 30 to 45 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
Taste and adjust
Taste and stir in maple syrup if you'd like it sweeter.
Strain and serve
Strain out the spices and citrus, or ladle carefully around them, and serve warm with a fresh cinnamon stick or orange slice.
Cook's notes
- Whole spices mean easy straining — skip ground cinnamon and cloves, which leave gritty sediment in every mug.
- A slow cooker works just as well: combine everything and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or high for 2, then switch to warm for serving.
- Leftover cider keeps in the fridge for up to a week; strain out the spices first so it doesn't get more bitter.
Nutrition per serving
190 calories
$3.95 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 2% of calories | 1 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 94% of calories | 47 g |
| Fat | 4% of calories | 1 g |
| Fiber | 1 g | |
| Sodium | 20 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
What spices go in mulled apple cider?
Cinnamon sticks and whole cloves are the essentials; orange and fresh ginger are nearly as common. Star anise and allspice berries are good optional additions.
Can you make mulled cider in a slow cooker?
Yes. Add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or high for 2 hours, then keep it on warm for serving.
Is mulled cider the same as mulled wine?
No — mulled cider is apple cider simmered with the same warming spices, with no alcohol. Mulled wine starts with red wine instead.
