Description
This Old Fashioned Hot Spiced Apple Cider recipe is a cozy, aromatic beverage perfect for chilly days and festive gatherings. Using a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg, combined with sweet maple syrup and fresh orange slices, this nonalcoholic cider warms you from the inside out. It can be prepared easily on the stove or in a slow cooker, making it versatile for any occasion, and easily customized for adult versions with a splash of your favorite spirit.
Ingredients
Scale
Spiced Apple Cider
- 1/2 gallon apple cider (nonalcoholic apple cider, not hard cider)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (or substitute brown sugar or a mixture of maple syrup and brown sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- Dash of ground nutmeg (freshly grated preferred)
- 1 orange, sliced
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a heavy pot or slow cooker, add the apple cider, maple syrup, salt, ground ginger, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and orange slices, mixing gently to combine all flavors.
- Cook on Stove: Place a lid slightly ajar on the heavy pot and simmer the mixture on low to medium-low heat for 1 hour. Ensure the cider bubbles gently around the edges without boiling, allowing the spices to infuse thoroughly.
- Alternatively, Cook in Slow Cooker: Set the slow cooker to low and cook the mixture for 3 to 4 hours. If short on time, cook on high for 2 hours until well infused.
- Strain the Cider: Before serving, carefully strain out all the spices and orange slices, especially the cloves to prevent choking hazards. Use a fine strainer and be cautious as the cider will be hot.
- Keep Warm for Serving: To keep the cider hot at gatherings, return the strained cider to a pot on low heat or back into the crockpot set to warm mode. Provide a ladle for self-serving.
- Optional Garnishes and Additions: Enhance the cider by topping with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, apple slices, or a cookie. For an adult version, add a shot of rum, bourbon, whiskey, or brandy to each serving.
Notes
- You can tie the whole spices in a piece of cheesecloth and simmer it in the cider to avoid having to strain the hot mixture later.
- Do not allow the cider to boil as it may alter the flavor; gentle simmering extracts the best spice notes.
- Be cautious when serving hot cider to avoid burns or choking on whole spices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 240 ml)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
