Hot Apple Cider
Hot apple cider is the ultimate cozy drink for chilly autumn evenings. With its warm spices and sweet apple flavors, each sip feels like a comforting hug in a mug. This easy recipe allows you to customize sweetness and spice levels, making it perfect for gatherings or quiet nights by the fire. Serve it steaming hot, garnished with a cinnamon stick, and let the aromatic blend of apples and spices fill your home with nostalgia.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 fresh apples (mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)
- 4 cups unfiltered apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5–6 whole cloves
- 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and slice apples into wedges (no need to peel).
- In a large pot, combine sliced apples, apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat; reduce to low and simmer for 30 minutes until apples soften.
- Mash softened apples against the pot's sides and strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve into another pot/pitcher.
- If desired, stir in honey or maple syrup until dissolved.
- Serve warm in mugs with extra garnishes like cinnamon sticks or apple slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg