Simmered with mulling spices and citrus, this mulled hard cider is a delicious way to celebrate fall! It’s the perfect warm spiced drink for the holiday season, plus it’s so easy to make. Cheers!Â
Warm Spiced Hard Cider for Fall
Well, the holidays are upon us, so who wants a drink?
Seriously though, there’s really not anything better than a hot, spiced drink on a chilly and festive day, alcoholic or otherwise.
I’m a big fan of mulled wine, but sometimes the fall season needs some hard cider, and what better way to serve it than warm and spiced!
We often have quite a bit of home brewed hard apple cider (or wild hard cider) hanging around from all the apples on our tree that we press each year.
So, this gave me the idea to make up a batch of mulled hard cider for the holiday season!
How to Make Mulled Hard Cider
This mulled hard cider recipe couldn’t be easier!
The first thing you will need is at least a half gallon of hard cider (that’s four 16oz bottles). If you don’t have any home brewed hard cider, you can use store bought hard cider and it will work just fine.
This recipe can also be made this with regular, non alcoholic apple cider as well (but I think it’s more fun with hard cider)!
Mulling Spices for Cider
{Sponsored by Mountain Rose Herbs}
Next, it’s time to gather the mulling spices.
This is variable based on your own tastes, but generally includes:
- Cinnamon sticks or cinnamon chips
- Cloves (whole)
- Allspice berries
- Ginger – fresh or dried
- Star Anise pods
- Cardamom pods
- Fresh orange slices or dried orange peel
- Nutmeg – whole crushed or grated as a garnish
Some people leave out the cardamom and the nutmeg, but I like all the spices I can get!
If you want to make a dry mulling spice mix, you can use dried orange peel and dried ginger. It would also be a good idea to break up the cinnamon sticks (or use cinnamon chips) and the nutmeg a bit with a mallet.
Mountain Rose Herbs has a great mulling spice recipe!
While it’s nice to have mulling spice mix on hand (and it makes a great gift, too), I generally just end up making it as I go.
Make the Mulled Hard Cider
Pour the hard cider in a large pot and add the orange slices and all of the spices except the nutmeg. Heat on medium.
Feel free to put the mulling spices in a muslin bag or cheesecloth so you don’t have to strain them out later. I do like the look of all the spices mulling about in the pot, it adds a festive touch!
Once the mulled cider is just barely simmering, turn to low keep at a low simmer for at least 20 minutes. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
Alternatively, the mulled cider can be kept in a slow cooker on low to keep it warm.
When you’re ready to serve, strain or scoop the oranges and spices from the hard cider, or remove the mulling spices bag.
Use a ladle to pour the mulled cider into individual mugs and garnish with an orange or apple slice and freshly grated nutmeg. You can also add a cinnamon stick and star anise to the mug for garnish.
One thing to note is that I do not add any sugar to my mulled hard cider.
If you’d like to make yours a little sweeter, you could add some honey or maple syrup while heating the mix or when serving.
What a tasty and festive holiday treat this is!
This mulled hard cider recipe is also great for entertaining. It can easily be doubled, tripled, or more for a crowd!
I enjoy hard cider any way, but this is probably one of my favorites. I love anything with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves!
More Apple Recipes for Fall
Try these tasty apple drinks and recipes with fresh apples this fall!
- No Sugar Apple Jelly
- Hard Apple Cider Jelly
- Spiced Apple Butter
- Fermented Apple Ginger Beer
- How to Make Apple Cider with a DIY Press
- 12 Ways to Preserve Apples
Mulled Hard Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 1/2 gallon hard cider homemade or store-bought
- 3 slices orange plus more for garnish
- 1" piece fresh ginger thinly sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick plus more for garnish
- 5 whole cloves
- 5 whole allspice berries
- 1 Tbsp whole cardamom pods
- 1 whole star anise plus more for garnish
- sliced apples for garnish
- grated nutmeg for garnish
- honey or maple syrup optional to taste
Instructions
- Pour the hard cider in a large pot and add the orange slices and all of the spices except the nutmeg. Heat on medium.
- Once the mulled cider is just barely simmering, turn to low and keep at a low simmer for at least 20 minutes. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
- When you're ready to serve, strain or scoop the oranges and spices from the hard cider, or remove the mulling spices bag.
- Use a ladle to pour the mulled cider into individual mugs and garnish with an orange or apple slice and freshly grated nutmeg. You can also add a cinnamon stick and star anise to the mug for garnish.
Notes
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd!
- Feel free to put the mulling spices in a muslin bag or cheesecloth so you don't have to strain them out.
- The mulled cider can be kept in a slow cooker on low to keep it warm.
- Make it non-alcoholic by using regular apple cider.
Could the spices be added and the cider heated and cooled prior to fermenting?
This recipe was beyond amazing! My partner and I were so impressed with how it came out
Awesome, Stephanie! I’m so glad you liked it!