Hot Mulled Cider Recipe (2024)

by Erin

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This easy recipe for Non Alcoholic Mulled Cider is a cozy warm beverage for chilly nights. Make it in the slow cooker, on the stove or in your instant pot. It can also be spiked with your favorite spirit for the holiday season.

Hot Mulled Cider Recipe (1)

Jump To

What does mulled cider mean?

How to make it

Does mulled cider have alcohol?

Best booze for spiked cider

What to Serve with It

More Fall co*cktail recipes

Mulled Cider (Non Alcoholic or Spiked)

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Right up there with my other cozy drink recipes like the Hot Toddy and Mulled Wine is this Hot Mulled Cider. Give me a cozy sweater (with sleeves just a tad too long), a warm blanket and a mug of this and I’m a happy girl when Fall rolls around.

What does mulled cider mean?

  • Mulled cider is a sweet cider that has been heated with spices and citrus fruits.

I like to use fresh cider or unfiltered apple juice for this recipe (look for it in the produce section or refrigerated section).

The mulling spices that I’m using are cinnamon, star anise pods and whole allspice berries. Other spice options include cardamom pods, black peppercorns, whole cloves and nutmeg.I also throw in some fresh cranberries and orange peel.

The cozy flavor can’t be beat on a cold day.

It’s especially magical when you pack a thermos to take along on your next sledding adventure.

Hot Mulled Cider Recipe (4)

This recipe is great for parties since it makes a big batch and can be left to simmer on the stove (or make it in the crockpot). It also makes your house smell amazing. It’s the perfect warm drink for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s also great for tailgating.

How to make it

You can make this apple cider recipe on the stove, in the slow cooker or in the Instant Pot.

  • Stovetop Method: Add ingredients to a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer for 45 minutes – 1 hour.
  • Slow Cooker Method: Add ingredients to a crockpot and cook on LOW for 3 hours.
  • Instant Pot Method: Add to a pressure cooker and cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. Let pressure release naturally then serve.
Hot Mulled Cider Recipe (5)

Does mulled cider have alcohol?

  • Mulled cider can be served with or without alcohol. It is delicious on its own, but you can also spike it with your favorite spirit.

Best booze for spiked cider

  • Apple Brandy
  • Rum
  • Bourbon
  • Cognac

When adding alcohol, add it at the end so that it doesn’t cook off. You can either add ½ cup of booze to the finished recipe, or you can leave out the alcohol so that your guests can choose to have a non-alcoholic mulled cider or spiked mulled cider.

Hot Mulled Cider Recipe (6)

FAQs

How long can you keep mulled cider?

Spiced cider will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can mulled cider be reheated?

Yes. Simply reheat on the stove on low heat without bringing to a boil.

What to Serve with It

  • Apple Tartlets with Salted Caramel
  • Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel
  • Apple Galette with Cardamom
  • Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
  • Creme Brulee with Cardamom Roasted Blackberries
Hot Mulled Cider Recipe (7)

More Fall co*cktail recipes

  • Cranberry Maple Bourbon Smash co*cktail
  • Sparkling Ginger Pear co*cktails
  • Apple Cider co*cktail
  • Harvest Moon Applejack co*cktail
  • Apple CiderMoscowMule
  • More → 40+ Whiskey co*cktails

Did you try this non alcoholic mulled cider?

If you loved this hot mulled cider beverage, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onInstagram,TikTok,PinterestandFacebook.

Hot Mulled Cider Recipe (8)

Mulled Cider (Non Alcoholic or Spiked)

Mulled Apple Cider is a cozy warm beverage for chilly nights. Make it in the slow cooker, on the stove or in your instant pot. Can be served non-alcoholic or spiked with your favorite spirit.

5 from 16 votes

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

For serving (optional):

  • Orange Slices
  • Cranberries
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Apple Slices
  • ½ cup Brandy (Bourbon or Rum)

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer for 45 minutes – 1 hour.

  • If desired, stir in brandy, bourbon or rum. Garnish and serve.

Notes

  • Slow Cooker Method: Add ingredients to a crockpot and cook on LOW for 3 hours.
  • Instant Pot Method: Add to a pressure cooker and cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. Let pressure release naturally then serve.

Nutrition calculation includes added alcohol.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 275mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Check out the web story here.

This post was originally published in 2020. It was updated in 2023 to add new information. The non alcoholic mulled cider recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

Hot Mulled Cider Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is hot mulled cider made of? ›

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. I'll also add a little dark rum if it's just us grown ups enjoying a round of apple cider co*cktails!

Which cider is best for mulled cider? ›

One with a hint of acidity.

You need just a touch of acidity to balance out the sugar and give it a well-balanced flavour. Note: You can use tart ciders, but just make sure to add more sugar.

What alcohol is good for 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 is the best alcohol for hot apple cider? ›

I prefer bourbon but whiskey or a dark rum with caramel flavors would also work wonderfully. What kind of bourbon goes in spiked apple cider? I used Makers Mark for this recipe which is one of my favorite bourbon brands. However, other brands I also recommend Four Roses or Woodford Reserve as other great options.

Can I just heat up apple cider? ›

Apple cider is a versatile beverage you can integrate into your menu in a variety of ways. While delicious cold, you can turn apple cider into a warming and comforting drink by heating it on the stove and adding a sprinkle of your favorite type of cinnamon.

Does the alcohol cook off in mulled cider? ›

Very little alcohol will cook off. The boiling point of ethanol is 79C - you should WARM mulled wine and certainly not bring it anywhere near close to 79C.

Why is my mulled cider bitter? ›

Between day 9 and 12 of active fermentation the cider loses all apple flavor and becomes bitter.

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.

Does mulled cider go bad? ›

It is not harmful. So, does apple cider go bad? Technically no, but the cider will slowly transform into a more acidic-tasting beverage. Yes, a science lesson was needed to understand the expiration timeline of your favorite fall drink.

What is a beverage of hot mulled cider called? ›

Wassail is a tasty drink made with apple cider, fruit juice, and mulling spices. Sweet, spiced, and a little tart, it's just what you need to warm up on a chilly night. Make this hot cider drink in the crockpot or on the stove!

What is another name for mulled cider? ›

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's in a hotty toddy? ›

Hot toddy is a warming drink combining water, whiskey, honey and lemon juice. It is often drunken as a nightcap and traditionally taken as a remedy to help ease the symptoms of colds and flu.

What liquor mixes well with apple cider? ›

Many alcohols mix well with 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 alcohol mixes well with apple cider? ›

The rich sweetness of natural apple cider pairs well with various liquors, such as brandy, vodka, and rum. As such, it's easy to find a combination that not only warms the soul, but the mind and body as well.

Is mulled 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.

What's the difference between apple cider and hot apple cider? ›

The process for making apple cider and spiced apple cider is the same. The main difference is that spiced apple cider is, well, spiced! It typically has been infused with flavors of different warm spices (like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg) versus regular apple cider which gets its flavor solely from the apples.

How much alcohol is in mulled cider? ›

Mulled Cider, ABV 6.5% before heating! Our Mulled Cider is a mix of cider, sugar and spices and should be served piping hot. Some may wish to sweeten it further to taste. Chase away those winter sniffs and snuffles.

Does hot cider have alcohol? ›

Apple cider (also called sweet cider, soft cider, or simply cider) is the name used in the United States and Canada for an unfiltered, unsweetened, non-alcoholic beverage made from apples.

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