Easy Homemade Hot Apple Cider

Without fail, I find I am so sad when the summer comes to an end because I think it is my favorite time of year.

But, as the leaves begin to change, the weather starts to cool and I hear those familiar holiday tunes, I realize just how much I love the winter holiday season.  I love the food, the time with family and the general hustle and bustle of life as it gets closer and closer to Christmas.  I mean… who doesn’t get the urge to tap their feet to Jingle Bells, right?

One way I love to celebrate the coming season is to break out my easy hot apple cider recipe and share it with my family.  I just love the smell of the cinnamon, oranges, cloves, and apples simmering away on the stove.  It’s truly better than any candle you could buy.

I also enjoy the excited look on Dustin’s face as I hand him a steaming mug of homemade apple cider. Though, I always have to tell him it’s too hot to drink right away cuz we both know he’s gonna go for it if I don’t tell him.

Anyways, I hope you try out this easy apple cider recipe.  It’s quick and delicious and will make your house smell like Christmas.  Winner!

How To Make Hot Apple Cider

This spiced apple cider is really simple to make and tastes so yummy.  It will warm your soul.  Well, maybe that’s going a little far, but it will definitely hit the spot.

Tip: You can also make this in a slow cooker.

I make my hot spiced apple cider by following three simple steps:

1. combine spices with apple juice and cook over medium heat until the juice is aromatic;
2. add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil;
3. once the apple juice is boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

To serve, you'll want to strain the cider from the added ingredients, and serve hot.

What's In Apple Cider?

Wondering what hot apple cider is made of? Typically, an apple cider recipe requires…

• apples
• water
• some mulling spices, like allspice berries and star anise
• sometimes alcohol

It also often contains a lot of added sweeteners, like brown sugar or white sugar.

My apple cider recipe is a tad different than other spiced ciders, and it requires a few different ingredients. I just found this to be the best apple cider recipe I ever tried. I like my hot apple cider sweet, flavorful, and healthy, too. And this spiced cider recipe gives me exactly that. <--- LOVE

Plus this homemade apple cider recipe is quicker and easier than other hot apple cider recipes.  So, what’s in my apple cider?

• unsweetened apple juice;
• cloves;
• cinnamon sticks;
• black peppercorns;
• nutmeg;
• orange zest.

You can add pure maple syrup (instead of white sugar!) if you want the apple cider to be sweeter, but I find it plenty sweet with just the apple juice that is naturally sweetened.

Is Apple Cider Good For You?

I have good news. If you make it refined-sugar free, apple cider is not a bad choice for your health over the holidays.  It's not something to go drink constantly, considering it is higher in sugars from the apple juice, but it's much healthier for you than regular hot apple cider recipes.

Amazeballs.

Now let’s discuss the apple cider benefits to celebrate the good news.

Pssst...did you know apple cider:

• lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases;
• lowers the risk of developing asthma;
• lowers the risk of developing diabetes;
• lowers the risk of some forms of cancer.

Not to mention apples and apple cider are a great source of antioxidants.

Watch Me Make Hot Apple Cider

How To Serve Hot Apple Cider

After you remove the hot apple cider from the heat…

1. strain it through a fine-meshed sieve;
2. transfer to big cups or big mugs;
3. garnish with orange slices, apple slices or cinnamon sticks for stirring;
4. allow to cool slightly but still serve hot, and enjoy!

How Long Does Hot Apple Cider Last?

To extend the shelf life of apple cider, strain it through a fine-meshed sieve and store it…

• in the fridge for 7-10 days;
• or in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 12 months.

To store the apple cider in the freezer, transfer it into an airtight container. Make sure you leave ½ inch space at the top as apple cider expands when frozen.

More Hot Winter Drinks

I like this hot apple cider recipe during Winter a lot, but there are other winter drink recipes I also like to make when the weather is cold.

Hot Apple Cider

Lacey Baier

Warm up the cold winter nights with this hot apple cider recipe that makes a perfectly spiced, healthy, and easy hot apple cider the whole family can enjoy.

4.84 from 12 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 4 cups

Calories 126 kcal

Equipment

• Saucepan

*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 cinnamon sticks
• ▢ 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• ▢ ½ teaspoon whole cloves
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ▢ 4 cups unsweetened apple juice
• ▢ ½ tbsp. orange zest
• ▢ pure maple syrup, optional for added sweetness

Instructions

 

• Combine spices in a sauce pan and cook over medium-high heat until aromatic, about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add the nutmeg, and stir to combine.  The, add in the apple juice and orange zest.  Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, depending on how strong you like your cider.
• Pour juice through a fine-mesh sieve, into a mug. Allow to cool slightly.

Video

Notes

Combine spices and cook over medium high until aromatic. Add all remaining ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, depending on how strong you like your cider. Pour juice through a fine-meshed sieve, into a mug. Allow to cool slightly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cupCalories: 126 kcalCarbohydrates: 31 gSodium: 10 mgPotassium: 276 mgFiber: 2 gSugar: 23 gVitamin C: 4.8 mgCalcium: 54 mgIron: 0.6 mg

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag @asweetpeachef on Instagram so we can check it out.