Hot Spiced Apple Cider (2024)

Published: Oct 27, 2020 · by Laurel Perry · About 4 minutes to read this article. · This post may contain affiliate links

Hot Spiced Apple Cider is warm, cozy, fragrant and spiced with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and orange slices. Ready in 15 minutes!

Hot Spiced Apple Cider is one of the things I love most about Fall. It is warming and sweet. Spicy and fragrant. Perfumed with cinnamon, orange, and fresh apple cider, it feels like Fall in a mug.

Reasons to love this recipe!

• A simple 6 ingredient, one pot recipe!
• In addition to being a delicious drink, it makes your house smell like magic! Think your favorite fall candle.
• It is free of refined sugar, vegan, and gluten free.
• And to top it off, it's ready in 15 minutes!

Ingredients & substitutions:

• Apple Cider - my #1 tip for the best cider around is to make it with local unpasteurized cider. The flavor is unreal! I buy mine at a local farm. In a pinch, store bought works too.
• Orange - for fresh citrus flavor.
• Apple
• Ginger - a few slices add great warmth.
• Cinnamon sticks - a hot spiced cider essential.
• Allspice - it has a warm complex flavor I love in this cider! You could also swap it out for a couple of cloves.

How to make spiced cider:

This is one simple recipe! Add all the ingredients to a large pot and bring it to a simmer. Cover and reduce the heat to low and cook, making sure the cider is simmering lightly, for 10-15 minutes.

Serve, garnished with fresh slices of apple, orange, and a cinnamon stick if desired!

Can this be made in the crockpot?

Yes, this mulled cider works great in the crockpot. There are two options for crock pot use:

First, make the cider following the stove-top directions below and then transfer to a crock pot set to "keep warm" for serving. This gives you the benefit of the speed of the stovetop method (only 15 minutes!) with the stay-warm benefit of the slow cooker.

Second, you can make the whole thing in the crockpot! Add in all the ingredients, place on the lid, and let slow cook for 3-4 hours. Turn down to keep warm and enjoy!

Can this be made beforehand and reheated before serving?

Absolutely! Once the cider is ready, strain out the fruit and spices then store it in the fridge. Leaving these in can create a bitter cider. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warm.

Can turn this into a co*cktail?

It sure can! Adding a shot of alcohol can turn this hot spiced cider into a festive co*cktail. Bourbon, brandy or dark rum all work great with the flavor profile of the cider.

When adding spirits, wait until just before serving. Simmering with the cider can cause it to turn bitter as well as evaporate the alcohol. I like to let each person add a shot to their glass, keeping the majority of the recipe safe for kids and non-drinkers.

We recommend ¾ ounce spirits for every 8 ounce serving of cider, but adjust to suit your tastes!

Pro tips for best flavor:

• If you can, purchase cold pressed cider from a local farm. The difference in flavor is incredible! Local unprocessed cider is both sweeter and more complex. If you only have store-bought cider in your area, it will still work in this recipe.
• My mom has been known to serve a mug of cider with a scoop or two if ice cream. Think root beer float meets fall. It is a fun way to turn this into dessert!

More warming Fall recipes!

• Spiced Pear Oatmeal
• Gluten Free Apple Crisp
• Vegan Creamy Wild Rice Soup
• Caramel Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Crock Pot Hot Spiced Wine (or this non-alcoholic version!)

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