There’s nothing quite like the cozy aroma of homemade Hot Apple Cider simmering on the stove. Similar to mulled cider, fresh apple juice infused with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and slices of orange fills your kitchen with the scent and tastes of fall. It’s warm, comforting, and perfectly spiced – like a hug in a mug.

Apple cider garnished with cinnamon stick, orange and apple

Table of contents

Hot apple cider ingredients

  • Apple juice
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Fresh oranges
  • Nutmeg
  • Whole cloves


It’s everyone’s favorite fall and winter comforting drink — and this is the easiest hot apple cider recipe you’ll find. It’s been a popular favorite here since 2014. It’s completely kid-friendly, too! As a bonus, it doubles 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 in a glass mug

Hot apple cider for entertaining


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

Juicing apples for apple cider


When apple season rolls around, nothing beats the flavor of freshly juiced apples, which you can use for this recipe. My favorite (and I think the best apples to use) are  Honeycrisp apples. 


Their natural sweetness means you don’t need to add sugar, since cooking concentrates the flavor beautifully. Other varieties of apples like Gala, Pink Lady, or Fuji work just as well. I avoid tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn, since they make the cider less naturally sweet.

Hot apple cider served with sticky toffee pudding

Making hot apple cider in the slow cooker


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

Apple cider vs apple juice


When you buy apple cider (not to be confused with the hot apple cider recipe) in the U.S., it’s different from apple cider in the U.K. In the U.K., “apple cider” refers to hard cider, which is alcoholic. In the U.S., apple cider is unfiltered and often unpasteurized, giving it a cloudy appearance, while apple juice is filtered, pasteurized, and clear. You can use either apple cider or apple juice for this recipe.

Homemade apple cider hot toddy

  • Add a piece of fresh ginger while the cider simmers for a little warmth and spice.
  • Sweeten it with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
  • A splash of pure vanilla extract adds depth and aroma.
  • For an adult twist, stir in a splash of rum, brandy, or cognac.

What to serve with hot apple cider

Hot apple cider is perfect all on its own, but I also love serving it with a good dessert. I made this cider to accompany my Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding. You can see it in the picture above.

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

A glass of sparkling apple punch with a floating slice of apple


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A clear mug of hot apple cider
5 from 13 reviews

Homemade Hot Apple Cider

Janette
Homemade hot apple cider with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and orange slices — a comforting, kid-friendly drink for chilly days.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
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Video

Ingredients
 

  • 8 cups (4 pints) good apple juice or unfiltered/non-alcoholic apple cider , see note
  • 5 cinnamon sticks, plus extra for garnish
  • 2 whole oranges, cut into slices or wedges
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 10 whole cloves
  • Apple slices for garnish
  • Orange slices for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Add the apple juice to a saucepan with cinnamon, oranges, nutmeg and cloves. Bring to a low simmer (not boil) uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • Taste the cider. There is no added sugar in this. I prefer just the sweetness from the apple juice, but you an add some of your favorite sweetener if you like.
  • Serve warm in mugs with a slice of apple, orange and a cinnamon stick.
  • Optional additions:Add a piece of fresh ginger while the cider simmers for a little warmth and spice.
  • Add extra sweetness with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
  • A splash of pure vanilla extract adds depth and aroma.
  • For an adult twist, stir in a splash of rum, brandy, or cognac.

Notes

* When you buy apple cider (not to be confused with the hot apple cider recipe) in the U.S., it’s different from apple cider in the U.K. In the U.K., “apple cider” refers to hard cider, which is alcoholic. In the U.S., apple cider is unfiltered and often unpasteurized, giving it a cloudy appearance, while some apple juice is filtered, pasteurized, and sometimes clear. You can use either apple cider or apple juice for this recipe.

 

 
Serving: 1, Calories: 294kcal, Carbohydrates: 78g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 9mg, Fiber: 15g, Sugar: 55g
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