Spiced Apple Cider Drink Recipe

With the leaves falling and air cooling down, this delicious homemade spiked spiced apple cider is a warming cocktail to sip on. A favorite during the season, you can fill your home with a sweet smell of fall to help welcome in all things pumpkin spice. Just follow these simple steps in order to make a tasty homemade spiced apple cider.

How to Make Homemade Spiced Apple Cider Drink

Spiced Apple Cider: Warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks, 1T whole cloves and allspice berries in a cheese cloth pouch (so it's easier to remove) and slices of orange. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes and then remove the spices and orange peel before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 gallon of apple cider
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 5-6 whole cloves
• 3-4 whole allspice berries
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar(optional) 
• Nutmeg, a pinch (optional)
• Star Anise, optional garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cider Base: Combine apple cider, a few cinnamon sticks up and some whole cloves in water over generously sliced allspice berries in a large pot or slow cooker.
2. Add Fresh Fruits: Add orange and apple slices into the pot. The fruits go well with the spices and provide a layer of fresh, mildly sweet on to her super savory cider.
3. Simmer the Cider: In a large pot (or in your slow cooker, to keep warm), simmer cider over low heat for at least an hour – stirring every so often to meld flavors.
4. Sweeten And Spice It Right: Make the cider a little bit sweeter with brown sugar and add some nutmeg for taste.
5. Strain & Serve: Strain the cider to your desired taste and remove spiced fruit, twist in mugs with a star anise garnish.
6. Warm: Relish in the comforting smell of warm, spiced apple cider.

Serving Suggestions

• Dessert Pairings: To get in the fall spirit, pair spiced apple cider with some type of dessert to really give you that autumn feel — a slice of hot apple pie or pumpkin bread (or even spice cake) will do the trick.
• Spike it: For spiked cider, try mixing in a little bourbon or spiced rum (1/2 cup for 4 servings), brandy — whatever seems suitable.
• Top with Toppings: Whipped cream or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg per each serving, if desired.
• Make a Cider Bar: Put out lots of different spices, sweeteners, and garnishes along with some hot cider so guests can mix their own drink.
• Take into Account Dietary Requirements: One way you make this a sugar-free recipe is by making it with unsweetened apple cider that has no added sugars as an ingredient. Platos Adjust spices for sweetness.

Tips and Variations

• Change Up the Spices: You can change these up a little bit; try adding ginger, cardamom, or maybe even some coriander to turn spiced apple cider into something rather interesting.
• Fresh apple cider: If you can find it (and especially if it's organic), freshly ground spices also have so much more flavor than pre-ground ones, too.
• Make it a mocktail: Just before serving, kick it up a notch by adding a splash of sparkling water or ginger ale. Add mint sprigs for garnish if desired.
• Batch Cooking: Make a large quantity and freeze small portions to reheat as needed for convenient portion sizes.
• Get Creative With Garnishes: Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and dehydrated orange slices are all fun for cider cups.
• Adjust Sweetness: Adjust the sweetness level to your liking by using alternatives such as agave syrup, maple syrup, or monk fruit sweetener.

Preparation Time

• Hands-on Time: 5minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• 8 servings

Nutrition Information

• Calories: 120
• Total Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 10mg
• Total Carbohydrates:32g

Ingredient Substitutes

• Apple Cider: Unsweetened apple juice may be used instead of apple cider, but you should decrease the amount of water, or your bread might come out a bit mushy. Add a few more spices for tastefulness.
• Cinnamon Sticks: Ground cinnamon can be utilized, but you may want to start with less (such as 1/2 teaspoon) and adjust the quantity according to your own preferences.
• Whole Cloves: Substitute 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves for each whole clove.
• Whole Allspice Berries:1/4 teaspoon ground allspice.
• Orange Slices: Lemon slices or grapefruit slices for a different citrus oils
• Brown Sugar: You can use a sweet syrup such as maple, agave, or honey for the flavor component of brown sugar.
• Nutmeg: Ground mace, giving a parallel warm spice note.

FAQs

What is your favorite type of apple cider to use in a slow cooker?

For best flavor, use fresh, unfiltered apple cider with no added sugar or preservatives; organic is ideal but any good-quality one will work.

Is the cider something I can influence on sweetness?

Control sweetness with less brown sugar or substitutes like honey, maple syrup, monk fruit sweetener.

Can I make this recipe without any spices?

The cider has warm flavors itself with the added spices, and; however states in the recipe, they can be decreased or completely optional for a plain fruit flavored cider.

What should I use to booze up the cider?

After simmering, adjust seasoning to taste and add bourbon/spiced rum/brandy (or nothing at all for a lovely spiked cider).

Are there any alternatives to using whole spices?

If you do not have whole spices, then use ground and less amount in the beginning until taste.

Can I make this recipe for a large crowd?

The ingredients can be multiply, and the cider kept warm in a slow-cooker for self-serving.

How should I store leftovers?

Keep leftover cider in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, defrost leftovers and heat on the stove or in a slow cooker.

And is there a way to make this recipe lower in calories?

Pour calorie-free apple cider (no sugar added), and add low-calorie spices to give it flavor.

Conclusion

This warm, hot, spiced apple sip feels like a hug in your hand, whether you are sipping with loved ones or all by yourself on the commute home from work. Not only does it taste amazing and celebrate all the flavors of fall, but this fabulous coffee drink is also completely customizable, which allows you to make everyone happy. Spices and sweeteners can easily be substituted or adjusted to create a version that meets your dietary needs or palette by playing with the flavors.