How to Make Mulled Apple Cider

This mulled apple cider is warm, cozy, and full of festive spice. Simmered with cinnamon, cloves, and orange for the perfect fall or winter drink.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 5

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 8 Cups

Ingredients

8 cups apple cider not apple juice—look for fresh, unfiltered cider for the best flavor
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves
4 whole allspice berries
1 orange sliced into rounds; leave the peel on for extra citrusy flavor
1 apple sliced thinly; optional, but it looks so pretty floating on top!
2 –3 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup adjust to taste
1 star anise optional, but adds a lovely licorice-like note

Instructions

Step 1: Combine cider and spices

In a large pot, pour in the apple cider. Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and star anise (if using). If you’re using cheesecloth or a tea infuser for the spices, bundle them up and drop them into the pot.

Step 2: Add the fruit and sweetener

Toss in the orange slices and apple slices, if using. Stir in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar or maple syrup. You can always adjust the sweetness later, so start with less if you’re unsure.

Step 3: Simmer gently

Heat the pot over medium heat until the cider just begins to steam, but don’t let it boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 1 hour. This lets the spices infuse the cider with all their warm, cozy flavors.

Step 4: Taste and adjust

After an hour, give the cider a taste. If you’d like it sweeter, stir in another tablespoon of sugar or maple syrup. You can also add more spices if you want bolder flavors.

Step 5: Serve warm

Strain out the spices and fruit slices using a fine-mesh sieve or simply ladle carefully into mugs to avoid the larger pieces. Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick or an extra orange slice if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy!

Notes

Crockpot Instructions

If you’d rather let your slow cooker do the work, this recipe is just as easy to adapt. Combine all the ingredients in your crockpot, cover, and cook on low for 3 hours. Once it’s ready, switch to the “keep warm” setting and let your guests serve themselves. It’s such a fun and stress-free way to entertain!