Warm Spiced Apple Cider

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

There is nothing better this time of year than making Warm Spiced Apple Cider. Fall and Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with a mug of homemade spiced apple cider. This simple yet delightful recipe is not only easy to make but also fills your home with the most heavenly aroma. So, gather your ingredients and let’s get simmering!

What is Apple Cider

Apple cider is a popular beverage, particularly in the fall season, made from apples. Apple cider is often an unfiltered, unsweetened non-alcoholic beverage made from pressed apples. This drink is different from apple juice mainly due to its cloudier appearance and more robust taste, as it contains the pulp and sediment from the apples. Apple cider can be enjoyed cold or heated and spiced, making it a favorite during the autumn and winter months.

What is Warm Apple Cider Good For

Warm apple cider, beyond being a delightful and comforting beverage, offers several benefits:

1. Soothing Warmth: The warmth of the cider makes it a perfect drink for cold days and nights, providing a cozy, comforting feeling.

2. Aromatic Spices: Spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, commonly used in warm apple cider, are not only aromatic but also have potential health benefits. Cinnamon, for instance, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in blood sugar regulation.

3. Vitamin C and Antioxidants: If made with fresh apple cider, this drink can be a source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, which are important for immune support, especially during the flu and cold season.

4. Digestive Aid: The spices in warm apple cider, particularly cinnamon and cloves, have been traditionally used to aid digestion and soothe stomach discomfort.

5. Mood Booster: The process of making and enjoying warm apple cider, with its inviting aroma and sweet taste, can be a real mood booster, providing a sense of comfort and nostalgia.

6. Social Enjoyment: Sharing a mug of warm apple cider can be a social activity, fostering a sense of community and togetherness during gatherings or festive occasions.

While warm apple cider is a treat that many enjoy for its taste and warmth, it’s important to consume it in moderation, especially if it’s sweetened, to maintain a balanced diet.

 

Where to Buy Apple Cider

To buy apple cider for your recipe, you have several options depending on your location and the time of year:

1. Supermarkets and Grocery Stores: Many supermarkets carry apple cider, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Look for it in the refrigerated juice section or near the produce area.

2. Farmers’ Markets: Farmers’ markets are a great place to find fresh, locally produced apple cider. This cider is often less processed and more flavorful than some store-bought options.

3. Local Orchards and Farms: If you live near apple orchards, they often sell their own freshly pressed apple cider. This is a great way to get the freshest cider and support local farmers.

4. Health Food Stores: Health food stores and natural grocery stores often carry apple cider, especially organic and less processed varieties.

Remember to look for fresh-pressed or all-natural apple cider for the best flavor. Avoid apple cider that has added sugars or preservatives, as this can affect the taste of your recipe. If you’re making this recipe out of season, apple juice can be a substitute, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.

Ingredients for this Warm Spiced Cider Recipe

• 3 cups of fresh-pressed sweet apple cider: The star of our cider recipe, providing a naturally sweet and robust apple flavor.
• 2 tbsp maple syrup: To add a touch of natural sweetness, complementing the apple’s flavors.
• 2 cinnamon sticks: These sticks are essential for infusing a warm, spicy aroma into our cider.
• 4 star anise: Their unique flavor adds a licorice-like depth to the cider.
• 4 cloves: Whole cloves are a must for that classic spiced apple cider taste.
• Optional Additions: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a few allspice berries, a strip of orange peel, and lemon peel to the mix. A teaspoon of brown sugar can also be added for extra sweetness.

For this recipe, you only need a handful of ingredients. I decided to only use some staple pantry spices so that you don’t need to run around to different grocery or spice stores to find them. Here’s the list of ingredients that you need to make the warm cider.

How to Make Hot Apple Cider

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. If you’re feeling adventurous, add the optional allspice berries, orange and lemon peel, and brown sugar.

2. Heat and Simmer: Stir the mixture and place it over medium-high heat. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes. This allows the spices, particularly the cinnamon and cloves, to release their flavors into the cider.

3. Low Heat Simmering: Reduce the heat to low and continue simmering for an additional 10 minutes. This slow simmering process is key to achieving that deeply infused spiced apple flavor.

4. Remove and Discard Spices: Carefully remove the whole cloves from the cider and discard them. You can also take out the cinnamon sticks and star anise at this point.

5. Garnish and Serve: Pour the spiced apple cider into four large mugs. Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick and a star anise from the saucepan. These not only look beautiful but also add a hint of spice to each sip.

Can you Make Hot Apple Cider on a Crockpot

For a more hands-off approach, this recipe can be adapted for a crockpot. Simply combine all ingredients in the crockpot and let it simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours.

How to Serve Warm Apple Cider

Serving warm apple cider is all about enhancing its cozy, autumnal or winter appeal. Here’s how to do it:

1. Temperature: Serve the apple cider warm, but not too hot. It should be comfortable to drink, allowing the flavors of the spices to shine through without being overpowering.

2. Mugs: Use thick, heat-resistant mugs for serving. This not only keeps the cider warm but also adds to the comforting experience.

3. Garnishes: Add a cinnamon stick or a star anise in each mug as a garnish. This not only looks inviting but also imparts a subtle flavor as the cider is sipped.

4. Optional Add-ons: Offer slices of orange or apple as a garnish on the rim of the mug, or float them in the cider for extra flavor. A sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top can also enhance the aroma.

5. Accompaniments: Serve with seasonal treats like ginger cookies, apple pie, or cinnamon rolls to complement the cider’s spiced flavors.

6. Setting: Create a cozy atmosphere with fall decorations, such as candles or small pumpkins, to make the cider-drinking experience even more enjoyable.

What to Serve with Warm Apple Cider

Since there are so many warm and cozy spices in the cider, it pairs great with desserts that also have a winter spice flavour to them. Maybe avoid overly sweet desserts that have a lot of chocolate since the flavour profiles might clash a little. Here are a few options that would be perfect pairings and that keep with the cozy winter rustic vibes.

• Bite-Sized Apples Pies

• Pumpkin Cranberry and Walnut Cake

• Roasted Apples in Maple on Ice Cream

• Winter Spiced Banana Bread

• Snickerdoodle Cookies
• Carrot Cake