Homemade Hot Apple Cider
My Homemade Hot Apple Cider uses juiced, fresh and sweet seasonal apples or store bought apple cider. It’s simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange wedges and nutmeg for the ultimate warm/fall drink.

Made in the same way as Mulled Cider, this fall/autumn treat is perfect for the whole family because you can easily make this an Apple Cider Hot Toddy.
It’s everyone’s favorite fall/autumn and winter comforting drink and this is the easiest recipe for hot apple cider you’ll find. It also serves as a wonderfully fragrant air freshener because your house will smell like Christmas has arrived early and give you that Christmas in a cup feeling!
What to serve with Hot Apple Cider
Hot apple cider is perfect served alone, but I also like to have it with a good dessert. I made this cider as an accompaniment to Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding.
If hot drinks are not your thing, I have a Sparkling Apple Punch that is also just as delicious (pictured below).

Apple Cider Hot Toddy
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.
Using apples for Apple Cider
You can’t beat freshly juiced seasonal apples. When I do this, I love to use 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.

Hot Apple Cider Ingredients
Good apple cider
Cinnamon sticks
Fresh oranges
Nutmeg
Whole cloves

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.
Apple Cider v’s Apple Juice
When you purchase apple cider (not to be confused with hot apple cider recipe) in the U.S., it is different than apple cider in the U.K. In the U.K. apple cider is ‘hard cider’, meaning it’s alcoholic. Apple cider in the U.S. is unfiltered often unpasteurized apple juice that is cloudy. Apple juice is filtered, pasteurized and clear.
Hot apple cider in the 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.

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Homemade Hot Apple Cider

Homemade hot apple cider using fresh and sweet honey crisp apples, juiced then simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange wedges and nutmeg.
Ingredients
- 8 pounds (3.6 kg) sweet 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
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 10 whole cloves
- Apple wedges for garnish
- Orange wedges for garnish
Instructions
- If you are using fresh apple, juice the apples.
- Add the apple juice to a saucepan with cinnamon, oranges, nutmeg and cloves. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour.
- Taste the cider. If it is too sweet add water, 1/4 cup at a time.
- 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
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 268Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 22mgCarbohydrates 67gFiber 4gSugar 54gProtein 1g
This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.
19 Comments on “Homemade Hot Apple Cider”
I love these fall flavors, so warm and spicy! Gorgeous photos too. Here’s wishing I could booze mine up just like your husband… perfect for those frosty evenings! ๐
Oh my goodness… that looks amazing! I’ve never made homemade apple cider before and now I’m thinking I totally have to pick up some apples and try it ๐
since there is no alcohol it’s perfect for kids too!! yum!
I have a few bags of apples. I need to make this. WOW. love your photos!
Just in time for fall! This recipe is perfect for my Halloween party!
That cider looks so delicious. I like the added touch of whole cinnamon.
Can’t wait to give this delicious looking drink a try!
That looks delicious, I could go for a cup right now!!
ooh, the perfect fall drink. it looks so great! thanks for sharing.
Aside from egg nog this should be the consummate fall drink!
Ooooh, this makes a lovely drink!
I can definitely see myself creating this hot apple cider many times during the upcoming Christmas season.. great recipe!
I’ve never made apple cider, it looks fantastic! Pinning ๐
I’m not going to be able to stop thinking about your cider! It looks amazing and I love the color!
Thank you Serena.
Wow! Color me impressed! You made your own cider! This looks yummy! And I like the little addition of whiskey to it! Thanks for sharing your recipe! Pinning!
Thank you Debi, I love how easy it is to make.
I love apple cider, but never made it at home! Looks great, the perfect fall drink!
Thank you Mira ๐