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    You are here: Home / Desserts / Mulled apple cider

    Mulled apple cider

    Published: Sep 6, 2020 · Modified: Sep 6, 2020 by Sarah Brooks

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    side view of a mason jar mug filled with mulled apple cider, with apples, oranges and spices on the side, on a brown board with a light brown background, with text overlay, mulled apple cider and KCAEIC.

    This mulled apple cider is easy to make and is a wonderful warming drink for colder months and festive occasions. This version is made with non alcoholic cider making it a kid friendly treat the whole family can enjoy.

    side view of a mason jar mug filled with mulled apple cider, with apples and spices on the side, on a brown board with a light brown background.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make mulled apple cider
    • How to serve
    • How to store
    • LOOKING FOR MORE YUMMY DESSERT RECIPES?
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Whats the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

    In the USA apple cider usually refers to raw apple juice that has not been filtered. It therefore contains more pulp and sediment particles and has a cloudy appearance. It may or may not be pasteurised. It is not usually fermented and there is therefore non alcoholic. Outside the USA apple cider is often referred to as cloudy or unfiltered apple juice.

    Outside the USA the term cider usually means apple juice that has been fermented and therefore contains alcohol. In the USA this is referred to as hard cider.

    Apple juice the world over may or may not be filtered, and may be called cloudy apple juice or just apple juice. Check the label in the country you're in, especially if making this recipe for families and children.

    Ingredients

    Mulled apple cider ingredients, oranges, whole cloves, ginger root, apple cider or juice, whole star annise, cinnamon sticks and apples.

    Apple cider: to keep things family friendly I have used non alcoholic cider, sometimes called cloudy apple juice. You can make this boozy by using alcoholic (hard) cider and or adding ½ a cup of brandy or your favourite alcoholic liquor that pairs with apple.

    Cinnamon sticks: whole cinnamon sticks give this recipe a lovely warming flavour without making it gritty. If you don't have whole cinnamon sticks you can substitute with a teaspoon of ground cinnamon instead.

    Whole cloves: are a classic warming spice but you don't need much. I find whole cloves give a lovely flavour without grittiness. You need to strain or scoop them out before serving, especially to kids.

    Whole star anise: whole star anise have a lovely aniseed or licorice flavour and they are very pretty. If you're not a fan you can leave them out.

    Ginger root: I use slices of fresh ginger root in this recipe. If you can't get fresh ginger root you can substitute with half to one teaspoon of ground ginger, depending on how gingery you like it.

    Apples: I used red apples in this recipe but you can use whatever apples you like, as long as it one you like eating.

    Oranges: I use oranges in this recipe to give it some extra citrus tang but you could replace this with other citrus such as mandarins, tangelos or even grapefruit.

    How to make mulled apple cider

    • slicing up orange into rounds.
    • slicing up apples and cutting out small apple stars using a star cookie cutter.

    Slices the orange and apple into thin slices. For extra prettiness you can carefully cut some star shapes out of the apple slices with a star shaped cookie or biscuit cutter.

    • adding apple cider or cloudy apple juice to a pot containing sliced apples and oranges, on a chopping board.
    • adding cloves to a pot containing sliced apples and oranges, and apple cider, on a chopping board.
    • adding star annise to a pot containing sliced apples and oranges, cloves and apple cider, on a chopping board.
    • adding cinnamon sticks to pot containing sliced apples, oranges, cloves and star annise on a chopping board.
    • adding sliced ginger to a pot containing sliced apples and oranges, cloves, star annise and cinnamon sticks, on a chopping board.

    Add the slices oranges and apples to a large pot. Gently shake the apple cider or cloudy apple juice if needed to reincorporate any settling that may have occurred. Pour apple cider into pot. Add cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise and slices of ginger root.

    mulled apple cider with simmering in pot with clear glass lid, on a gas stove.

    Give it a good stir. Cover with a lid and bring to boil on the stove, then simmer for about thirty minutes, longer if you want it to take on more of the flavours from the spices.

    How to serve

    top down view of pot of mulled apple cider on a chopping board, with apples, oranges and ginger root on the side.

    Using a slotted spoon carefully remove the whole cloves and cinnamon sticks. Ladle the hot cider into heat proof glasses or mugs with some slices of orange and apple and garnish with a cinnamon stick if you like.

    How to store

    This apple cider is best eaten on the days its made, but will store covered in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure you strain out the spices before storing or the spices will over spice the cider.

    Have you made this recipe? Tell me how it went in the comments below and tag me on instagram so I can see your delicious creations! #KCAEIC

    LOOKING FOR MORE YUMMY DESSERT RECIPES?

    Why not try making

    • Easy apple popsicles
    • Apple crumble (apple crisp)
    • Cinnamon, apple and oat ice cream
    close up top down view of mulled apple cider showing star shapes, with apples, oranges and spices on the side.

    📋 Recipe

    close up side view of a mason jar mug filled with mulled apple cider, with apples and spices on the side, on a brown board with a light brown background.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 9 votes

    Mulled apple cider

    This mulled apple cider is easy to make and is a wonderful warming drink for colder months and festive occasions. This version is made with non alcoholic cider making it a kid friendly treat the whole family can enjoy.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Austalian
    Keyword: apple, apple cider, apple juice, Autumn, Christmas, Christmas drinks, cinnamon, cloudy apple juice, Fall, family friendly, festive, kid friendly, non alcoholic, punch, Winter
    Servings: 8 cups

    Ingredients

    • 2 medium apples
    • 2 medium oranges
    • ½ gallon (2 litres) non alcoholic apple cider or cloudy apple juice
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 10 whole cloves
    • 2 star annise
    • ½ inch fresh ginger root

    Instructions

    • Slice oranges into thick slices and add to a large pot.
    • Slice apples. For extra prettyness you can cut star shapes out of the apple slices and add to pot.
    • Gently shake apple cider/juice and add to pot
    • Add spices and put lid on the pot
    • Bring to boil then simmer on low for 30 mins, stirring occasionally
    • To serve scoop out the spices with a slotted spoon and ladle into mugs or heat proof glasses.

    Slow cooker instructions

    • Add sliced oranges and apples, apple cider and spices to slow cooker.
    • Put the lid on and cook on high for one hour or low for two hours.
    • Scoop out the spices with a slotted spoon and switch to warm if available.
    • The slow cooker method is a great option for a crowd if you have guests coming over, it can sit on warm and guests can help themselves throughout the day.

    Notes

    Use non alcoholic cider or cloudy apple juice to make this family friendly.
    Or make it boozy by using alcoholic (hard) cider and adding half a cup of brandy or your favourite liquor that pairs with apple.  

    Pin it for later!

    side view of a mason jar mug filled with mulled apple cider, with apples, oranges and spices on the side, on a brown board with a light brown background, with text overlay, mulled apple cider and KCAEIC.

    Sharing is caring!

    139 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sally

      September 07, 2020 at 1:00 am

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious and perfect for keeping warm!

      Reply
    2. Sylvie

      September 07, 2020 at 1:12 am

      5 stars
      Oh this reminds me so much of European Winters, but I love that it is make with apple juice instead of wine or alcoholic cider! A great drink kids will enjoy too 🙂

      Reply
    3. Robyn

      September 07, 2020 at 1:37 am

      5 stars
      This sounds so spicy and a delicious drink the whole family can enjoy!

      Reply
    4. Sabine

      September 07, 2020 at 8:20 am

      5 stars
      This looks really delicious. I love to drink mulled wine in winter and this can be a great substitute.

      Reply
    5. Bless my food by payal

      September 07, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      5 stars
      Such a lovely drink and best part is it is kids friendly too. Awesome post indeed.

      Reply
    6. Biana

      September 07, 2020 at 9:46 pm

      5 stars
      This mulled apple cider looks amazing! I like all the spices you are using in it, makes it perfect for fall.

      Reply
    7. Gourmet Vegetarians

      September 07, 2020 at 10:02 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds so yummy! Will have to try.

      Reply
    8. Farrah

      September 08, 2020 at 2:26 am

      5 stars
      I love apple cider but haven't made it in a longgg while. This looks absolutely amazing!

      Reply
    9. Lillie

      September 08, 2020 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      The star-shaped apples are fantastic! Thanks also for the distinction between apple cider and juice. Yum!

      Reply

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