Homemade Hot Apple Cider – Culinary Ginger

Nothing beats the comforting aroma of homemade Hot Apple Cider simmering on the stove. Similar to mulled cider, fresh apple juice with a blend of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and orange slices fills your kitchen with the aroma and taste of fall. Warm, comforting and seasoned to perfection – like a hug in a cup.

Hot apple cider ingredients

• apple juice
• Cinnamon stick
• Fresh orange
• Nutmeg
• Whole cloves

This is everyone’s favorite fall and winter drink — and it’s the easiest hot apple cider recipe you’ll find. This has been a popular favorite here since 2014. It’s also completely kid friendly! As a bonus, it also works as a natural air freshener — your house will smell like Christmas came early and give you that “Christmas in a cup” feeling.

Hot apple cider for entertaining

When serving to guests, keep the cider warm over low heat in a slow cooker/crock and ladle as needed into mugs. Add a splash of alcohol for the grown-ups (more on this below), and garnish with orange slices and apple slices for a festive touch.

Making apple juice for apple cider

When apple season arrives, nothing beats the taste of fresh apples that you can use for this recipe. My favorite (and in my opinion the best apple to use) is the Honeycrisp apple.

Its natural sweetness means you don’t need to add sugar, as cooking concentrates the flavors beautifully. Other apple varieties such as Gala, Pink Lady, or Fuji can also be used. I avoid tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn, as they make the cider less naturally sweet.

Make hot apple cider in the slow cooker

You can make it completely in the slow cooker. Just add fresh apple juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, and orange slices, then set to low temperature for approximately 2 to 3 hours. The gentle heat brings out all the comforting flavors and leaves your kitchen smelling amazing. Keep warm on the “keep warm” setting to serve throughout the day.

Apple cider vs apple juice

When you buy cider (not to be confused with the hot cider recipe) in the US, it is different to cider in the UK. In England, “apple cider” refers to hard fruit juicethe alcoholic. In the US, apple juice is unfiltered and often unpasteurized, giving it a cloudy appearance, whereas apple juice is filtered, pasteurized and clear. You can use apple cider or apple juice for this recipe.

Additional options for homemade apple cider

• Add a slice of fresh ginger while the cider simmers to add a little heat and spice.
• Sweeten with a little maple syrup or honey.
• A splash of pure vanilla extract adds depth and aroma.
• For a grown-up touch, stir in a splash of rum, brandy or cognac.

What to serve with hot apple cider

Hot apple cider is perfect, but I also love serving it with a delicious dessert. I made this cider to accompany my Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding. You can see it in the image above.

If hot drinks aren’t your thing, my Sparkling Apple Punch (pictured below) is equally delicious and refreshing.

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