Apple cider is simmered with mulling spices, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, sliced apples, and oranges to create a deliciously spicy beverage perfect for the holiday season!
I can't think of a more fitting beverage for the holiday season than a warm, spicy cider. Ahhh...I can just smell the beautiful aroma as I sit here and think about it. Brands even sell candles in mulled cider scents so you know it has to be an aroma unlike any other. Making a delicious mulled cider is quite simple as well.
This Mulled Apple Cider features aromatic mulling spices, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and sliced oranges and apples and is simmered on the stove to create the coziest beverage you'll get your hands on this holiday season! For this recipe, I used Spice Hunters mulling spices and cinnamon sticks and the result was phenomenal. Keep reading for a special SpiceHunter.com offer!
Making Mulled Apple Cider
What You'll Need:
- unfiltered apple cider
- mulling spices
- cinnamon sticks
- star anise pods
- sliced oranges and apples
- maple syrup (optional)
- cranberries for garnish (optional)
Start with a gallon of good apple cider. You don't want a clear juice-type beverage - you want a thick, unfiltered cider typically found in your grocer's produce section. Many readily available brands are pasteurized - however, your grocer may carry a local, unpasteurized brand and this is totally fine as well. The simmering process makes either one safe to enjoy for up to several days!
Pour cider into a Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot ad turn burner to low, and bring cider to just below a simmer.
Wrap mulling spices in cheesecloth and add to the pot of cider. Add cinnamon sticks, sliced oranges, sliced apples, star anise pods, and maple syrup, and give the cider a good stir. Cover pot and allow the cider to cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the cider as you don't want it to come to a boil. This shouldn't happen, however, with the burner on low.
Remove and discard mulling spices and serve cider warm in mugs. Garnish cider with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries if desired.
Once the cider has come to room temperature, it may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
The Spice Hunter has incredible, high-quality spices that help turn your recipes into something magnificent! I was so pleased with their mulling spices and cinnamon sticks in this recipe and want to spread the love.
Made this recipe? Be sure and tag @thepinkowlkitchen in your creations on Instagram and be sure and check out @thespicehunter for more fun holiday recipes!
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📖 Recipe
Mulled Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 1 gallon unfiltered apple cider
- 1 pack Spice Hunters mulling spices
- 4 Spice Hunters cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise pods
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 apple sliced
- ¼ cup maple syrup optional*
- cranberries for garnish optional
Instructions
- Pour cider into a Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot ad turn burner to low and bring cider to just below a simmer.
- Wrap mulling spices in cheesecloth and add to the pot of cider. Add cinnamon sticks, sliced oranges, sliced apples, star anise pods and maple syrup and give cider a good stir. Cover pot and allow cider to cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the cider as you don't want it to come to a boil. This shouldn't happen, however, with the burner on low.
- Remove and discard mulling spices and serve cider warm in mugs. Garnish cider with apple slices, cinnamon sticks and cranberries if desired.
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