Hot Spiced Apple Cider Recipe

4.80 from 5 votes

Well spiced apple cider is great served warm or cold. Make ahead and reheat when needed. Terrific with a splash of rum or bourbon.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Course: Beverage

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple cider, drinks

Servings:

Calories: 143kcal

Author: Tricia

Ingredients

2 quarts apple cider, not apple juice (64 ounces)
½ cup light brown sugar, packed (110g)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice
3 cinnamon sticks
½ teaspoon whole peppercorns
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
handful whole cranberries, fresh or frozen

Optional:

dark rum or bourbon, 1 ounce per mug
orange wedges, for serving
cinnamon sticks, for serving
cranberries, for serving
cinnamon sugar mixture, to rim mugs

Instructions

Put the cider in a slow cooker, crock pot or large saucepan and warm over medium heat. Add all the ingredients through the ½ cup whole cranberries. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the sugar is dissolved and the cider is hot and fragrant, about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, keep warm until ready to serve.
Strain and remove the spices before serving. Add 1-ounce of dark rum or bourbon to each mug of cider, if desired. Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick and orange wedges.

Notes

All the spices can be combined in a tea ball, or tied up in a layer of cheesecloth. Steep the spices in the apple cider for 30 minutes. Remove the spices before serving.
For a cinnamon sugar garnish, wet the rim of the mug with an orange wedge. Dip the rim into a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Fill with cider and garnish with cinnamon stick, orange wedge, and a few cranberries. Serve

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition