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Mulled Spiced Apple Cider

30 min

Drink

10 ingredients or less

One-bowl / one-pot
This mulled cider looks beautifully festive with the bright orange and red fruits. The aroma of apple and cinnamon simmering away on the stove will make your home smell absolutely incredible. A drink that serves both as an air freshener and a deliciously sweet warm drink? Cheers to that!

Servings

Total

30 min

Prep

5 min

Cook

25 min

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

Ingredients

  • 8 cups (1920 mL)
    apple cider†
  • 1
    orange, thinly sliced
  • 6
    cardamom pods, cracked
  • 4
    cinnamon sticks
  • 3
    whole cloves
  • ½ cup (50 g)
    fresh cranberries
  • 1 Tbsp (6 g)
    fresh ginger, thinly sliced

Directions

  1. Place all of the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover, and let the flavours infuse for 20 - 30 minutes.
  3. Serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

  • †Apple cider does not refer to the alcoholic beverage, but rather, the unfiltered (cloudy) non-alcoholic beverage made from 100% apples.

Storage

  • Best to enjoy immediately.
  • Can be made ahead of time and reheated on the stove.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 1 day.
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Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Keala - Dec. 2, 2023, 7:45 p.m.

Made this for a book club and it was a huge hit. So delicious, beautiful, easy, and helps my house smell great. Don't hesitate. Make this! Easiest new holiday tradition unlocked.

PUL Team - Dec. 2, 2023, 9:54 p.m.

Oh how nice of you to make it for the book club, Keala! We’re so happy the apple cider was enjoyed. Thanks for your vote of confidence 🤗

Reply
Holly - Nov. 12, 2023, 1:18 a.m.

I've made this recipe every holiday season since 2019, multiple times per season, for parties and special events. Everyone always really likes it. It's simple yet has sophisticated and accessible flavors. If apple cider wasn't so sweet, I'd have it every single day. If anyone is scrolling the comments to make sure this recipe is good, this is your sign! It's a great recipe. I'm so grateful that I found this recipe on a Pick Up Limes video about holiday drinks.

PUL Team - Nov. 12, 2023, 5:15 a.m.

Oh, Holly, you're too kind! 🥹 thanks for taking the time to share the glowing feedback and letting PUL be part of your holiday festivities 💛

Reply
Amrita - Nov. 11, 2023, 12:06 a.m.

I’m sitting in bed with the flu right now. I knew I needed to stay hydrated but didn’t feel like drinking tons of water or making hot tea/coffee. Cold juice would not have helped my throat either. And so I made this! Super, super easy, all the warming spices are great for my throat and it’s so tasty!! Do you think you could put together a compilation of your recipes for a sick day? Stuff like this that’s warm, comforting, and super easy to prepare!

PUL Team - Nov. 11, 2023, 11:09 p.m.

Oh noo - wishing you a quick recovery from the flu, Amrita! It seems like everyone is getting sick right now. We're so glad the apple cider was enjoyed and have noted down the idea for a recipe collection for sick days. In case you haven't seen already in the meantime since you're on the app, you may also enjoy our chamomile latte or orange hot chocolate which can be cooled 🥰

Reply
Chrysiida - Nov. 9, 2023, 12:28 a.m.

I made this last year for my birthday and I loved it so much that I made it this year as well. I remember one of my friends' first reaction to tasting it was that it was such a comforting drink and that as soon as she stepped into the apartment the smell of the drink overwhelmed her like a warm hug! I still remember it like it was yesterday!

PUL Team - Nov. 9, 2023, 9:36 a.m.

Aw thanks for celebrating your special day with one of our recipes, Chrysiida, happy birthday! The incredible scent it fills the home with is one of my favourite parts of this recipe too, aside from the taste of course 😋

Reply
Raquel - Oct. 31, 2023, 8:40 p.m.

The smells in the house, mmmmm

Reply
Ayesha - Oct. 10, 2023, 12:29 p.m.

Thanks sadia. Lovely picks!

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Kirsten - Feb. 10, 2023, 3:34 a.m.

one of my holiday favourites! i now get requests from loved ones every winter season for this delightful drink <3

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Sophie Adams - Jan. 29, 2023, 4:36 p.m.

I made this a few times over Christmas and everyone absolutely loved it! The flavours are so punchy and warming, I’ll definitely be making this a winter/Christmas tradition 🫶🏻

PUL Team - Jan. 30, 2023, 3:29 p.m.

Aw so thrilled to hear, Sophie, thank you 🤗

Reply
Naomi - Dec. 26, 2022, 8:25 p.m.

This recipe tastes amazing! I made this during November and December multiple times. My sister and I loved it!

PUL Team - Dec. 28, 2022, 7:13 a.m.

Woohoo! We're so glad it was enjoyed, Naomi 😃

Reply
VIKTORIA - Dec. 21, 2022, 10:17 a.m.

hello! Can i add a bit of alcohol? Can you give me a suggestion for the kind and portion of alcohol? thank you!

PUL Team - Dec. 21, 2022, 6:04 p.m.

Hey Viktoria, some wines, spiced rum, or brandy work nicely in mulled beverages. Alcohol is especially delicate on heat, so maybe add it at the end to heat through, rather than letting it simmer. Because we haven't tested it with alcohol, I can't give proportions with confidence, so just add small splashes and taste test until you get to a taste that is enjoyable. A splash of sweetener can help balance out the flavour if needed too 😊 Enjoy!

Reply
Sal - Dec. 6, 2022, 9:39 a.m.

I make this every autumn/winter since you posted it and I absolutely adore this recipe! So cozy!

PUL Team - Dec. 6, 2022, 6:15 p.m.

So happy to hear, Sal, enjoy!

Reply
Daniella - Nov. 29, 2022, 12:55 p.m.

Hello !

Once the Mulled spiced Apple cider is make. Can I freeze the liquid?
I'm short on time and would like to make it ahead so i can just defrost it when needed.

Thanks :)

PUL Team - Nov. 29, 2022, 5:15 p.m.

Hey Daniella! We haven't tested it out, but we've heard it's possible to freeze from others. The liquid will expand a bit when frozen so be sure to leave extra space in the container before freezing. It will also likely need a good stir when reheating in case there's any separation. Do let us know how it goes if you experiment with freezing it 😃

Reply
Deepali - Nov. 27, 2022, 12:08 a.m.

Hi! I just tried this recipe and it smells heavenly! I am not a sweet tooth person and this drink is too sweet for me, is there any way I can enjoy this by making it less sweet?

PUL Team - Nov. 27, 2022, 7:49 p.m.

Hi Deepali, thank you for sharing your experience with it! Apple cider can
vary in sweetness, or perhaps the mixture boiled for too long which can cause the apple cider to reduce too much and sweeten. In any case, adding some water with a splash of lemon juice to dilute the drink is one idea to help with the sweetness 😃

Reply
Meli - Nov. 18, 2022, 2:50 p.m.

I love this drink🥰🥰🥰
It smells like christmas at home.

PUL Team - Nov. 19, 2022, 7:08 p.m.

We're so glad to hear, Meli ✨

Reply
Rose - Oct. 21, 2022, 3:28 p.m.

I absolutely LOVE this one! I make it regularly in the winter :)

PUL Team - Oct. 22, 2022, 1:11 a.m.

So happy to hear, Rose!

Reply
Erika - Oct. 16, 2022, 5:08 p.m.

Made this yesterday for my birthday party and all my friends loved it. Such a wonderful smell to greet guests as they arrive!

PUL Team - Oct. 16, 2022, 5:44 p.m.

Wishing you the happiest birthday, Erika 🥳 We're so honoured the drink was part of the celebrations!

Reply
Keiko - Sept. 12, 2022, 1 p.m.

this is amazing!!! we love this drink and are so excited fall is coming!

PUL Team - Sept. 12, 2022, 5:25 p.m.

Thank you, Keiko, we're excited as well 🍂

Reply
Alice - Dec. 12, 2021, 7:43 p.m.

I love your recipes !
And this one is crazy good.
I use it for hot wine all winter long ;)
Besos from Paris.
I think you should mention here that it works perfectly for hot red French wine :)$

PUL Team - Dec. 13, 2021, 8:18 a.m.

Hehe thanks for the insight, Alice - sending lots of love to Paris 🤗

Reply
Durga - Nov. 25, 2021, 12:35 a.m.

This is the perfect winter drink that warms the soul. I finished all of it while it was warm.

Reply
tiny flower - Nov. 13, 2021, 8:10 a.m.

hii i just tried this recipe for the first time yesterday and i loved it - yuuum so tasty and cozy! i adapted the ingredients to what i had access to and to and that worked really well! so i used apple/cranberry juice, ginger juice, and the spices in their ground form! so if for anyone who is unsure if that works - it does! 💖

PUL Team - Nov. 13, 2021, 4:08 p.m.

Mmm sounds delicious, tiny flower, thank you for the insight 😃

Reply
Linda - Oct. 25, 2021, 12:42 a.m.

Made the warm version of this for a cosy drink after a walk. It was the perfect comforting drink. Love the idea of adding orange and cranberries for a festive twist too.

PUL Team - Oct. 26, 2021, 4:52 a.m.

So thrilled to hear, Linda, thank you!

Reply
Mina - Sept. 16, 2021, 10:59 a.m.

This recipe looks very nice. I would like to try it this fall.

But I am in France and I do not have access to fresh cranberry . Can I replace them with something else?

Thank you for all this recipes. I really love the Chai Hot Chocolate! It's so good !!

PUL Team - Sept. 16, 2021, 5:22 p.m.

Hi Mina, a lovely question! Feel free to substitute the fresh cranberries with frozen or a splash of cranberry juice if that's more accessible. Alternatively, you could exclude the cranberries or substitute them for another fruit, such as a different type of berry. We hope you enjoy the apple cider if you give it a try! Lots of love to France 🤗

Alice - Dec. 12, 2021, 7:45 p.m.

Hey, Mina, I live in Laris too and as I didn’t find fresh not frozen at Oicard, I found bio cranberries- dried, but delicious for 2€ in Lidl!
Added 1/3 cup for a bottle of red and was delicious !!

Reply
Mulled cider slave - July 24, 2021, 5:59 p.m.

This has become a regular after dinner drink in our house now! My mom got addicted to this and she requests it almost every other day 😂

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Lucy - July 11, 2021, 5:41 p.m.

love love love... makes your house smell so yummy and is such a cozy drink 🤎

Reply
Jordan - July 10, 2021, 4:47 a.m.

I like making this in a crock pot for family events! It tastes and smells sooooo good, it's insane.

PUL Team - July 15, 2021, 5:33 a.m.

Mmm lovely idea, Jordan, thanks for sharing your review with us :)

Reply
Katherine Broberg - July 9, 2021, 8:17 p.m.

I serve this to my family after apple picking, hiking, or other outdoor excursions on cold fall days and to my guests around Thanksgiving. It’s always a win!

PUL Team - July 14, 2021, 3:47 p.m.

Mmm sounds so lovely, Katherine, thank you for sharing!

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Lisa - July 9, 2021, 6:08 p.m.

This is drink has a similar taste as a Swedish drink called Glögg. How many times did I not make it, this drink is perfect for both autumn and winter!

Katherine Broberg - July 9, 2021, 8:18 p.m.

I know, right! My husband’s family is from Lindstrom MN and they love it when I serve them this.

PUL Team - July 15, 2021, 2:21 a.m.

Super interesting to hear, Lisa and Katherine, thanks for sharing this!

Reply
Saher Hyderali - July 9, 2021, 2:34 p.m.

I make this on Thanksgiving every year!! It’s a tradition in my home now!! We absolutely love it!!

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Aurora - July 9, 2021, 8:57 a.m.

My favourite hot drink! Just heaven in a mug really!

Reply
Kirstyn - July 8, 2021, 9:15 p.m.

So delicious! I put a little too much cinnamon in (or maybe the 4 sticks were just very large...) so had to water it down with some more apple juice but still tasted amazing and was such a comforting drink. Also made the apartment small fantastic.

PUL Team - July 13, 2021, 4:11 a.m.

A huge thank you for the review, Kirstyn! Great idea to add more apple juice to adjust the flavour 😊

Reply
Darcy Johnson - April 14, 2021, 11:20 a.m.

Soo yummy!

PUL Team - April 16, 2021, 6:48 p.m.

Thank you, Darcy!

Reply