Hot Mulled Apple Cider - Spiked or Not!
If you’ve never made mulled cider before, get ready to taste the best hot cider you’ve ever had. We all know how delicious apple cider is when it’s warm, but adding aromatic ingredients to the pot while you heat it takes it to another level. Mulling is simply the process of heating a liquid with spices and aromatic ingredients. You can keep it super simple and just throw in a couple cinnamon sticks, or you can get creative and use whatever warm fall spices you have on hand. Either way it will be delicious. What’s great about this recipe is that it can also be used for mulled red wine, or even as a non-toxic candle alternative to make your home smell amazing!
Hot Mulled Apple Cider - Makes 8 cups
INGREDIENTS
1/2 gallon apple cider
4 strips fresh orange peel
2 whole cinnamon sticks
1/2 of a whole nutmeg
1 tsp whole cloves
1 tsp black peppercorns
2 strips of crystallized ginger or fresh ginger root
whiskey, rum, or bourbon (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
In a medium pot or dutch oven, combine all ingredients and stir to combine.
Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer over low heat and allow spices to infuse the cider for as long as you’d like.
You can also do this in a Crock Pot or slow cooker to save space on the stove. Simply set it on low heat and let it go until it’s warmed through.
To serve, ladle into mugs. A straining ladle works well here to keep the whole spices out of your mug. You also have the option to spike the cider with your favorite liquor. A shot or two per cup is perfect.
Notes: You can mull red wine this same way, simply replace the cider with a red wine of your choice. This is a popular drink around Christmas time especially. To make a diffuser, simply replace the cider with water and follow the recipe as written. The pot of spice-infused water can sit on the stove or in the Crock Pot all day on low heat and your house will smell incredible! You can even drink the mixture like you would an herbal tea - it’s great with a spoonful of honey!
