As cooler weather approaches, there's nothing quite like a warm, spiced drink to help you feel warmer inside. This spiked mulled apple cider is sure to give you the warm and fuzzies.
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Much as I love warmer weather, I am also pretty happy when it starts to get cooler. It seems to run in the family, as my elder son has already been asking to be able to have hot chocolate again.
I, too, like a warm drink in colder weather, like gluwein (mulled wine) or a warm cranberry cocktail. And, of course, mulled apple cider.
When I lived in New York many years ago, my parents came to visit over the holidays. They hadn't visited before, so naturally we tried to pack in plenty of sightseeing.
However, some days were bitterly cold, and I distinctly remember warming up with a cup of warm apple cider in the cafe by the lake in Central Park. It was exactly what we all needed.
While that time we didn’t opt for a spiked version, I definitely enjoy it both ways. Spiked mulled apple cider makes such a comforting, simple fall/winter cocktail that’s perfect whether you are enjoying it yourself on a cold winter’s night, or sharing with others at a party.
It’s easy to scale the recipe up or down to meet your needs, and you can change the spirit you use to suit your tastes as well.
Spiked Mulled Apple Cider Recipe Tips
This isn’t a difficult drink to make, but here are a few tips:
- don’t rush it – the flavors from the spices need time to evolve, so don't rush it.
- use a few different whole spices rather than a ready-made blend. Whole spices save you getting bits of spice residue in your drink and each spice adds a different flavor which you can adjust to taste.
- use a good apple juice as a base. This drink is all about the apple, so try to get an unfiltered apple cider/juice as a base. Try to avoid juice from concentrate, it’s just not the same.
- spike it with a spirit that pairs well with apples such as brandy, apple brandy, rum, or spiced rum.
This spiked mulled apple cider is gently spiced, packed with apple flavor and just enough spirit (if you choose to use some) to give it that little kick. It's the perfect easy cocktail recipe to warm you through and through!
Looking for more seasonal drinks? Try these:
- Cranberry whiskey sour
- Persimmon apple cider mimosa
- Cranberry sangria
- "Falling for orange"- amaro pumpkin cocktail
- Plus get more cocktail recipes in the archives
Spiked mulled apple cider
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider / unfiltered apple juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 strips orange peel
- 4 fl oz brandy or apple brandy, rum, spiced rum
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients except the rum in a small pan and warm over a low heat. Gently bring to almost a simmer and warm for approx 30 minutes without boiling.
- Put 1 oz of brandy in the bottom of 4 glasses and top each up with the warm cider, straining off the spices and orange peel as you go. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
And if you're looking for more apple recipes, here are a few savory and sweet ideas:
Apple & Red Cabbage Slow-Cooker Sauerkraut by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck
Cheddar Chicken Tacos with Apple Salsa by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Chicken with Apple, Onion, and Cider Sauce by Karen's Kitchen Stories
Japanese Beef Curry (Kare Raisu) by Palatable Pastime
Chipotle Turkey, Apple, & Sweet Potato Chili by Savory Moments
Harvest Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Love and Confections
Baked Cinnamon Apples by The Anthony Kitchen
Apple Spice Poke Cake by Jonesin' for Taste
Salted Caramel Apple Cinnamon Turnovers by Daily Dish Recipes
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Disclaimer: Thank you AppleWeek Sponsors: Swiss Diamond, Nordic Ware, Envy Apples, Imperial Sugar, The Spice House, Rodelle Vanilla, Flahavan’s Irish Oats and Nairn’s for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are my own.
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
It's been a rough couple days - I'll take a glass, spiked please!
Caroline's Cooking says
Hopefully it helps! It will be tasty either way 🙂
Annissa says
This looks so good! A perfect drink for this fall season!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, indeed it is!
Jessica Formicola says
I am ready for allll things apple, and this apple cider is calling my name!
Caroline's Cooking says
Go right ahead!
Cookilicious says
It never occurred to me that we can make drinks with apple cider. Will surely give this one a try!
Caroline's Cooking says
Absolutely, and I have others - there's a spiced cranberry cocktail/mocktail that uses apple cider as well.
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
Ok...I have this big bottle of brandy in my cabinet because I have a recipe planned to use it in BUT this...this spiked cider is getting made first! Mulled cider is my favorite fall drink and I can't wait to warm it up a bit more after the kids go to bed, of course!
Caroline's Cooking says
I think this would be a perfect excuse to use just a little 🙂
Lisa Bynum says
This is something my husband and I genuinely enjoy during fall and winter months. We like to add a little bourbon to the mug! After one mug, I am totally relaxed.
Caroline's Cooking says
I can understand why!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
Lovely! I much prefer whole spices in my cider so this recipe would be perfect for me. I also like that since you add the booze to the glass, you can easily accommodate the whole family. I think there is some bourbon and cider calling my name. 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I agree adding to the glass makes it work for everyone!
Wendy Klik says
I'm taking a cup out to the bonfire with me.
Caroline's Cooking says
I love that idea!
Val Plagge says
Now all I want is to make a bonfire and a batch of this for this weekend!
Caroline's Cooking says
Sounds perfect!
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says
I love that this is spiced...I want to come home to this warm sweet drink on a long fall day after work!!!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it would be just the thing, I agree!