Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (2024)

By: Krista

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Rating★★★★★ 5 from 9 votes

This easy recipe for Spiked Hot Apple Cider is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Made with cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, allspice, fresh oranges and a spiced rum to warm you right up!

Looking for a kid friendly hot apple cider recipe? My Crockpot Hot Apple Cider is easy and delicious!

Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Spiked Hot Apple Cider
  • What is Mulled Hot Apple Cider?
  • How Do You Make Mulled Hot Apple Cider?
  • Get the Recipe

Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Oh my goodness you guys. I feel like this past week I could barely keep my eyes open. Even right now as I’m typing they are burning and tired.

Now, I know that I have a 10 month old, so I’m still in that “tired mom” phase. But I feel like I make myself rest. Although, last week was a crazy week so maybe I didn’t rest in the way my body needed. I literally feel like I could go to bed at 8pm tonight and be perfectly fine with it.

The last time I went through this I found out I had a big vitamin b12 deficiency and that I was slightly anemic. Sheesh. The doctors remedy … I had to get a shot of B12 vitamin in my butt and had to start taking sublingual iron pills. Hoping that’s not the case this time.

Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (2)

Ok. Moving on.

Around the holidays my mom was known for her Apple Cider. She would start it in the morning, throw in her spices and citrus and let it cook on the stove all day. By the time company was over the hot apple cider was ready and believe me when I say it was gone by the end of the night. When I think holidays and family, this drink comes to mind.

NOW… when my mom would make it, she made the kid friendly version. (a.k.a. no daddy juice — err liquor) and I have that recipe on my site here –> Crock Pot Apple Cider.

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Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (3)

Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (4)

But this version is for the mommy’s and daddy’s and trust me when I say, it’ll warm you right up!

Let’s start with a few basic things.

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Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (5)


What is Mulled Hot Apple Cider?

It is apple cider that is flavored with citrus and spices. It’s simmered on the stove or in a crock pot for a couple hours to let all the flavor combine so it has a “spiced” taste to it – that’s where the “mulled” comes in. Typically mulled cider is served warm and is freakin delicious!

Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (6)

How Do You Make Mulled Hot Apple Cider?

  1. Add apple juice, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, allspice and ginger to a large saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 2-3 hours.
  3. To make it “spiked” add in rum, brandy or bourbon and simmer an additional 10 minutes.

Easy peasy! Literally you throw everything into the hot tub and forget about it. That’s part of the reason I love this recipe so much.

Well, that and the flavor is amazing! You taste the star anise, the cinnamon and cloves and of course the rum warms your tummy right up! It’s a must make this time of year! Comforting and delicious! Nothing better than that. Oh and this recipe makes enough for 16, so it’s a great party co*cktail!

Cheers friends and Happy Thanksgiving!

Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (7)

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Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (8)

Hot Spiked Mulled Apple Cider

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: stove
  • Cuisine: american
Print Recipe

Description

This easy recipe for Spiked Hot Apple Cider is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Made with cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, allspice, fresh oranges and a spiced rum to warm you right up!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 gallon unfiltered apple juice or apple cider
  • 1 large orange, cut into 1/4” slices
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 star anise
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice
  • 1” ginger root, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups spiced rum (I used Captain Morgan)

Instructions

  1. To a large 10 qt dutch oven, add apple juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, whole allspice and ginger root. (If you have a spice ball, add clove and allspice to that. It’s easier cleanup after wards.
  2. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cover for 2-3 hours.
  3. Add rum to the apple cider mixture.
  4. Remove fruit and spices from the pot.
  5. Serve!

(optional: garnish with orange slices, apple slices or spices)

Notes

This recipe can be made in a Crock Pot as well. Add all the ingredients (except rum) to the crock pot. Turn Crock Pot to LOW and cook for 2-3 hours. Add rum and serve.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8 oz.
  • Calories: 159
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 1 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Filed Under:

  • Christmas
  • co*cktails
  • Drinks
  • Holidays
  • New Years
  • Recipe Videos
  • Thanksgiving

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Spiked Hot Apple Cider - Easy Mulled Apple Cider Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What alcohol is good in mulled cider? ›

Bourbon, brandy, or even a dark aged rum have enough oomph to stand up to the sweet flavors of the spices and apple cider. As to when to add in the booze, it's best to wait until the mulling spices have flavored everything first.

What alcohol goes well in apple cider? ›

Dark liquors like bourbon (my pick) or dark rum are traditional, but they are by no means the only option. Vodka pairs well with apple cider and is a good light option. You can even let guests each pick their own.

What is the best cider to use for mulled cider? ›

What Cider to use for Mulled Cider
  • One that is cloudy and has a good body. The cloudy appearance means there is still some fibre and antioxidants in the cider, instead of just being plain apple juice. ...
  • One that has a rich, sweet flavour. ...
  • One with a hint of acidity.
Sep 20, 2023

What is the difference between cider and mulled cider? ›

Here's the difference between apple cider and apple juice: Apple cider is just unfiltered apple juice that can be served hot or cold. Mulled apple cider is unfiltered apple juice that's been heated and flavored with mulling spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice; and fruits like oranges, lemons, and apples.

Does the alcohol cook out of mulled cider? ›

Spiking Mulled Cider

Add alcohol to a single mug or the batch of cider after cooking so the alcohol doesn't cook off.

Why is my mulled cider bitter? ›

We recommend only adding fruit peel later on into the the mulling process as it can give a bitter after taste if left in for too long. Try adding your fruit slices for the last 5 minutes before serving.

What is alcoholic apple cider called? ›

Apple cider is apple juice that has not been filtered and still contains all the apple pieces, pulp, and sediment. It is the raw, purer version of apple juice. To make an alcoholic cider, yeast is added which converts the sugar into alcohol. Simple right? Hard cider is the adult version of apple cider.

How do you make alcoholic apple cider? ›

3. Make Cider by Mixing Juice & Yeast
  1. Mix your juice, yeast, and sugar (adding sugar raises the ABV)
  2. Place the stopper and airlock into the bucket or carboy. Ferment for 10-14 days.
  3. Carbonate and bottle in your choice of beer bottle.
  4. Crack open a cold one and savor the moment!
Sep 10, 2019

What goes well with spiked cider? ›

Either way, it's always a delicious experience!
  • Apple Pie or Apple Crisp. ...
  • Cheddar Cheese and Crackers. ...
  • Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts. ...
  • Sausage and Sage Stuffing. ...
  • Pumpkin or Butternut Squash Soup. ...
  • Caramel Popcorn. ...
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. ...
  • Spiced Nuts.

How long will mulled cider keep? ›

Storage: Mulled cider can be refrigerated for up to a week. Just bring it to a simmer before serving. Garnish: Orange wheels, a curled orange peel, thin apple slices, a cinnamon stick, or nothing at all.

What is a beverage of hot mulled cider called? ›

Wassail (/ˈwɒsəl/, /-eɪl/ WOSS-əl, -⁠ayl, most likely from Old Norse "ves heill") is a beverage made from hot mulled cider, ale, or wine and spices, drunk traditionally as an integral part of wassailing, an ancient English Yuletide drinking ritual and salutation either involved in door-to-door charity-giving or used to ...

What are the benefits of mulled apple cider? ›

Is mulled apple cider good for you? Mulled apple cider contains nutrients found in apples, including antioxidants like polyphenols. Antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress to keep cells healthy. Apples are also rich in quercetin, pectin, vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber.

What liquor is best in hot cider? ›

Traditionally cider is spiked with dark spirits, like the rum and bourbon in the recipes above. But what if you want something a little lighter? Vodka can do the trick. Since it doesn't contribute much in the way of flavor, we add fresh ginger for its distinctive, peppery-sweet flavor.

How much mulling spices for a gallon of cider? ›

ingredients
  1. 1 gallon apple cider.
  2. 2 tablespoons whole allspice.
  3. 2 tablespoons whole cloves.
  4. 5 -6 cinnamon sticks.
  5. orange slice.
  6. additional cinnamon stick (optional)

What does alcohol apple cider taste like? ›

The best hard cider is more than just a beer substitute for people who think beer is too bitter. Yes, the best hard apple cider is sweet, delicious, and tastes a lot like sparkling apple juice, but there's a world of nuance that makes hard cider worth exploring for what it is—not just what it isn't.

Is vodka good in hot cider? ›

Spiked Hot Apple Cider – hot apple cider is a classic fall drink, this version is spiked with caramel vodka for a fun and delicious drink! Fall co*cktails are a must for fall entertaining. Warm Vanilla Cider is great for carving pumpkins and having fall get togethers. But sometimes you want a grown up version.

What kind of rum do you use for hot cider? ›

You could certainly drink it as-is at this point, but if you want the kick… then proceed with the dark rum. It's a fabulous complement to the flavors in the apple cider mixture and tastes oh-so-delicious going down. Grab your coziest blanket and your favorite mug… cheers!

What wines are best for mulled cider? ›

Just choose a quality wine (say, 10 to 20 dollars per bottle) and select the varietal carefully. The best red wine to use for mulled wine is Merlot, Zinfandel or Garnacha (also called Grenache). These wines are dark, fruity and full bodied, which means they can support all of the flavors we'll be adding.

What liquor goes with apple juice? ›

Whiskey and Apple Juice co*cktail: The Cloudy Apple

This classic Jameson and apple recipe combines the best of orchard and distillery in this Black Barrel classic co*cktail. Makes for perfect drinking all year round.

References

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