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Homemade Hot Apple Cider using fresh and sweet seasonal apples, are juiced and then simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange wedges and nutmeg for the ultimate warm, fall drink.

A glass mug of apple cider garnished with an apple wedge, orange slice and cinnamon stick

All we need is a blazing fire, a cozy couch, slippers and a blanket. Am I right? Who wouldn’t want to cosy-up with this naturally sweet, festive, easy apple cider drink?

I made this cider as an accompaniment to a dessert I served when we had some family members over for dinner, the dessert you can see in the 1st picture at the top of the post it is the British classic, sticky toffee pudding.

If hot drinks are not your thing, I have a Sparkling Apple Punch that is also just as delicious (pictured below).

2 glasses of sparkling apple punch garnished with apple slice, cinnamon stock and orange zest with a pitcher and fresh apples in the background

Grown-up version: My husband chose to make his cider ‘grown-up’ by adding a touch of whiskey. This is a delicious option and a very good one for up-coming holiday parties. You can also add cognac like my Cognac Apple Cider recipe.

For juicing, I used delicious and sweet honey crisp apples.  I think are the best apples of the season and it is because of their sweetness that  there is no need for added sugar because the cooking concentrates the flavor.

Apples being put through a juicer

You could also call this mulled apple cider because it’s cooked in the same way as mulled wine. Simmered in a pan with aromatics.

It took about 8 pounds of apples for this recipe and juicing does take time, but it really is worth it. You can, of course use a good quality store-bought apple cider, that are available in the produce department at this time of the year.

Half an apple alongside a mug of apple cider and view from the top showing orange slice, apple slice and cinnamon stick

How to make hot apple cider: Add the apple juice to a saucepan with cinnamon, oranges, nutmeg and cloves. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour.

Make it in the crockpot/slow cooker: This apple cider can also be made in the slow cooker. This is a great option if you’re entertaining and want to have a big batch kept warm for people coming in out of the cold.

If you’ve tried this Homemade Hot Apple Cider or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out the comments below. I love to hear from my readers!

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A pitcher of homemade apple cider with a glass mug full
Yield: 8

Homemade Hot Apple Cider

A glass mug of apple cider garnished with an apple wedge, orange slice and cinnamon stick

Homemade hot apple cider using fresh and sweet honey crisp apples, juiced then simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange wedges and nutmeg. 

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 pounds (3.6 kg) apples or 8 cups (4 pints) good apple juice * see note
  • 5 sticks fresh cinnamon, plus extra for garnish
  • 2 whole oranges, cut into slices or wedges
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 10 whole cloves
  • Apple wedges for garnish
  • Orange wedges for garnish

Instructions

  1. If you are using fresh apple, juice the apples.
  2. Add the apple juice to a saucepan with cinnamon, oranges, nutmeg and cloves. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour.
  3. Taste the cider. If it is too sweet add water, 1/4 cup at a time.
  4. Serve warm with a slice of apple, orange and a cinnamon stick (you can add a touch of whiskey to make it grown-up).

Notes

* If you don't have a juicer, you can use a really good store bought fresh apple cider.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4
Amount Per Serving Calories 257Sodium 5mgCarbohydrates 68gProtein 1g
© Janette
Cuisine: American / Category: Drinks