These mulled apple cider popsicles take the wonderful fall flavours of apple and mulled spices and turns them into a delicious and refreshing popsicles. Made with non alcoholic cider they are a treat the whole family can enjoy.
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What is the difference between cider and hard cider?
The term cider is used to describe different drinks, depending on what part of the world you live in. In the UK, Australia and New Zealand cider is the term applied to an alcoholic drink made from the fermented unfiltered apple juice. In the U.S. this alcoholic cider drink is called hard cider.
In many parts of the world unfermented apple juice, or cider in the U.S., usually refers to cloudy apple juice or apple juice that has not been filtered, thus retaining its cloudy appearance.
This recipe uses non alcoholic cider or unfermented cloudy apple juice to keep these popsicles a kid friendly frozen treat the whole family can enjoy.
Ingredients
Apple cider: to make these popsicles good for everyone to enjoy I have used cloudy apple juice, also known as non alcoholic cider. Cloudy apple juice is usually available in the chilled section of the store.
Cinnamon sticks: I use whole cinnamon sticks to give it a lovely warming flavour. If you can't get whole cinnamon sticks you can use a teaspoon of ground cinnamon instead.
Whole cloves: will all a great warmth to the cider without any gritty bits but they can have quite a strong flavour. Don't be tempted to add to many and make sure you strain them before pouring the mix into the popsicle moulds.
Star anise: have a sort of liquorice flavour. If you don't like them you can leave them out.
Ginger root: fresh ginger root gives these popsicles a lovely warming flavour. You can use a teaspoon of ground ginger instead, depending on how strong you like ginger flavours.
Oranges: give this recipe some fresh citrus flavour. You can use whatever citrus you like including mandarins or tangelos.
Apples: you can use whatever apples you like in this recipe, so long as its a type you like to eat.
How to make mulled apple cider popsicles
Cut the apples and oranges in thin slices and add to a big pot. You can cut some star shapes out with a cutter if you want for some optional extra prettyness.
If the apple cider has settled gently shake the bottle to incorporate the sediment. Tip the cider into the pot with the orange and apple slices. Add the slices of ginger root, star anise, cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Stir the pot, put a lid on and bring to the boil. Once boiling turn down the heat and simmer for thirty minutes or so or longer if you want a stronger mulled spice flavour in your popsicles.
Remove from the heat. Pour the mix through a sieve to filter out the spices and orang and apple slices. Put into a heat proof jug and chill in fridge for at least two hours or until cold.
Hot tip: make sure there is room in your freezer for the popsicle moulds before pouring the mix into moulds, or there will be tears!
Pour the mix into the popsicle moulds, add sticks and apple stars if using, and freeze for at least right hours, preferably overnight.
How to serve
To serve gentle remove from popsicle moulds and enjoy!
How to store
These popsicles will keep well in a airtight container in the freezer with baking paper between them to stop them sticking to each other for up to a month. After this the spice flavours may start to dull, but they will still taste delicous.
Looking for more yummy dessert recipes? Why not try making:
- Mulled apple cider
- Apple, cinnamon and oat ice cream
- Apple crumble (apple crisp)
- Pumpkin spice ice cream
- Masala chai ice cream
📋 Recipe
Mulled apple cider popsicles
Equipment
- popsicle moulds and sticks
Ingredients
- 1 gallon (1 litre) non alcoholic apple cider or cloudy apple juice
- 1 medium orange
- 2 medium apples
- ½ gallon (2 litres) non alcoholic apple cider or cloudy apple juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 whole star annise
- ¼ inch fresh ginger root
Instructions
- Slice oranges and applies. If you want you can cut some star shapes out of the apple slices using a small star cutter.
- Add apple and orange slices to a medium pot.
- Gently shake apple cider/juice to incorprate anything that may have settled out and add to the pot.
- Add spices. Cover and bring to the boil, then simmer for about 30 mins until the juice has taken on the wonderfull warm flavours of the spices.
- Remove from heat and leave to cool.
- Strain mix and chill in fridge.
- Pour into popsicle moulds. If you cut out apple star shapes you can add these to the popsicles for extra prettyness.
- Add sticks and freeze for at least eight hours or until firm.
- Gently remove from moulds and enjoy! Perfect for a festive BBQ or party.
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Love the idea of packing Autumn flavours into a popsicle, I can't resist spiced treats so I absolutely need to try this one!