A mug of hot Mulled Apple Cider will keep you warm and cozy on cold snowy days. It's spiced to perfection and super easy to make. This easy drink recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
Mulled Apple Cider
It’s been cold and snowy here, and I’ve been craving warm drinks. I usually reach for a tea bag, but if I’m feeling extra adventurous, I’ll make cocoa. On a recent snow day, I noticed that there happened to be a bottle of apple cider in the fridge, and I just happened to have all the spices needed to make a mulled drink, so I decided to make a hot Mulled Apple Cider. This is a beverage I don’t make nearly enough.
For me, hot spiced cider conjures up visions of snuggling with a cat or two in warm blankets on the sofa while reading a can’t-put-it-down novel as the snow piles up outside. On snowy days, you can put a pot of this Mulled Apple Cider on the stove to simmer while you’re outside shoveling snow, and it will be ready to warm you up when you come back in.
Mulling Spices
I've seen packages of mulling spices for sale in stores, but I usually use individual spices and throw things together. Blends can vary, but they frequently consist of cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, allspice, and peppercorns. Sometimes crystalized ginger and dried orange rinds are also added to the mix.
When I make mulled cider or wine, I use cinnamon sticks, anise, cloves, and nutmeg. Instead of dried citrus rinds, I use freshly sliced oranges and lemons.
How to Make Mulled Apple Cider
It's super easy to make mulled cider!
- First, you place everything together in a pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil.
- Then, you reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Finally, you strain the mixture, pour it into mugs, and enjoy!
I like to serve mugs of hot cider along with pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving dessert, and I also like to have a pot of it simmering during Christmas events, like tree-trimming parties and cookie swaps. There's really no winter event that wouldn't benefit from a mug of spiced cider!
Mulled Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- 8 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 1 nutmeg cracked
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Strain and serve warm.
Melissa Huggins
This looks so cozy and delicious! I love mulled apple cider and I really need to make it more. It doesn't snow here, but it's perfect for the recent rainy days 🙂
Dianne
Thanks, Melissa! Yes, it's perfect for rainy days, too!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
This looks so delicious and warming! I haven't had apple cider in forever!
Dianne
Thank you, Mary Ellen. You need to make some! 🙂
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
Yum! I can't wait to try this cider!
Jenn
I could have used a big steaming mug of this cider this morning when I woke up and realized we forgot to turn the heat back on last night. Brrrrrr. Looks so good!
Mel | avirtualvegan.com
I love mulled apple cider! A pot of this warming on the stove is almost worth shovelling snow for!
Dianne
Enjoy!
Dianne
Oh no! I hope it didn't take too long to warm up.
Dianne
It's true!