This easy recipe for Spiked Hot Apple Cider is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Made with cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, allspice, fresh oranges and a spiced rum to warm you right up!
Oh my goodness you guys. I feel like this past week I could barely keep my eyes open. Even now as I’m typing they are burning. Now, I know that I have a 10 month old so I’m still in that “tired mom” phase. It is a stage and this too shall pass, but in the meantime, mama needs a treat. Enter this cozy hot apple cider.
Around the holidays my mom was known for her hot cider. In the morning she’d throw in her spices and citrus and let it cook on the stove all day. By the time company came over the cider was ready and believe me when I say it was gone by the end of the night. When I think holidays and family, this drink comes to mind. It’s also one of my go-to recipes when I need a pick-me-up that’s super easy to make. Trust me when I say, it’ll warm you right up!
Why You’ll Love This Spiked Apple Cider Recipe
- Simple. Just add the ingredients (except alcohol) to a big pot and let it simmer. If I can make this when I’m half asleep that means you can totally do it too.
- Pantry staples. All of the ingredients in this mulled cider recipe can be found at the regular grocery store. You probably already have most of what you need in your pantry.
- Incredible flavor. You taste the star anise, the cinnamon and cloves and of course the rum warms your tummy right up. It’s comforting and delicious! Nothing better than that.
- Perfect for parties. This recipe makes enough for 16, so it’s a great party cocktail.
- Can be made with or without alcohol. When my mom would make hot cider, she made the kid friendly version. (a.k.a. no daddy juice — err liquor) and I have that recipe on my site here –> Crock Pot Apple Cider. But this version is for the mommy’s and daddy’s so it has a little kick!
What Is Mulled Hot Apple Cider?
Hot apple cider – sometimes called “mulled apple cider” – is cider that is heated up with citrus and spices. It’s simmered on the stove or in a crock pot for a couple hours to let all the flavor combine. The finished drink has a “spiced” taste to it, which is where the “mulled” comes in. “Mulled” means to heat something up with spices. It’s usually served hot and is freakin delicious!
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How To Make Hot Spiked Apple Cider
This recipe is so simple it only has three steps. Here’s how to make it:
- Add apple juice, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, allspice and ginger to a large saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and let simmer for 2-3 hours.
- To make it “spiked” add in rum, brandy or bourbon and simmer an additional 10 minutes.
Easy peasy! Literally you throw everything into the hot tub and forget about it. That’s part of the reason I love this recipe so much.
Cheers friends and Happy Thanksgiving!
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Hot Spiked Mulled Apple Cider
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: stove
- Cuisine: american
Description
This easy recipe for Spiked Hot Apple Cider is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Made with cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, allspice, fresh oranges and a spiced rum to warm you right up!
Ingredients
- 1 gallon unfiltered apple juice or apple cider
- 1 large orange, cut into 1/4” slices
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 4 star anise
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice
- 1” ginger root, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups spiced rum (I used Captain Morgan)
Instructions
- To a large 10 qt dutch oven, add apple juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, whole allspice and ginger root. (If you have a spice ball, add clove and allspice to that. It’s easier cleanup after wards.
- Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cover for 2-3 hours.
- Add rum to the apple cider mixture.
- Remove fruit and spices from the pot.
- Serve!
(optional: garnish with orange slices, apple slices or spices)
Notes
This recipe can be made in a Crock Pot as well. Add all the ingredients (except rum) to the crock pot. Turn Crock Pot to LOW and cook for 2-3 hours. Add rum and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz.
- Calories: 159
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
43 comments on “Spiked Hot Apple Cider”
Hey is there any reason the rum cannot go in the crockpot??
Yes. If you put it in too soon you’ll cook the alcohol out.
Heyy going to he making this tomorrow! Is there any reason why rum cannot go in the crockpot???
Yes, I like to add it at the end so I don’t cook the alcohol out.
Can it be stored for later use? I would like to bottle it as Christmas gifts.
Yes you definitely cook. But I wouldn’t put the alcohol in it yet. Maybe serve it with mini bottles of rum so they can add it fresh.
Can you use regular rum, in place of spiced rum?
The spiced rum adds hints of caramel, cinnamon, allspice & star anise – which helps add depth to the cider.
Just made a half batch today to test the recepie before Thanksgiving and it was delicious! I will say that I’m glad I tested beforehand, though. I did a half gallon batch and after the 2 1/2 hour simmer time, I ended up with a little over a half left over from my start of a half gallon. I didn’t realise so much would burn off in the cook time. Otherwise the recepie itself is delicious:) so with the plan of serving at two Thanksgivings, I’ll definitely be making a two gallon batch of this!
This Cider is the perfect holiday cocktail! I am so glad you enjoyed it! I hope everyone loves it!
I made this today and added Captain Morgan Sliced Apple Rum. Absolutely delicious! My friends all loved it!
That sounds extra yummy! I am so glad it was a hit!
Will this be sweet or bitter?
I don’t find it to be overly sweet, and it isn’t bitter to me!
Im planning on using this for a large party – can I use dried ginger instead of ginger root?
Dry ginger as long as it’s in whole form, if it’s ground ginger no. It will spread and be too strong.
Any recommendations on using an instant pot instead of crock pot?
Honestly I wouldn’t. I would place in a dutch oven on the stove before I did it in the instant pot. But you can definitely give it a go and let us know how it turns out!
Shouldn’t the pot be covered while simmering to avoid evaporation, or is there a reason to NOT cover it?
Hey Howard. I usually do put the cover on. Just didn’t add whether to cover or not to cover in the instructions. Just added it. 🙂
This is my go to mulled cider recipe!
It is so good! Every time I make it for a party, I always run out!
Hi! Can I use ground allspice instead of whole?
NO. that will not work. It will be all griddy.
Yuuuum. I’m planning on making this for thanksgiving in my crock pot. When I add the rum, do you think it’s okay to leave it on warm so that people can just ladle the drink right out of the warm crock pot? Or do you think it’ll cook out the alcohol?
Yes, it will cook the out. I would leave the cider itself in the crockpot to scoop out and then the rum on the side in case some people don’t want to add it in.
Hi, if I make this the night before drinking it, should I take the fruit and spices out or leave them in it overnight?
Thanks
I would take the fruit and spices out, or it will be really concentrated.
Also, add the rum right before serving!
mmmm if you add your rum and continue to simmer pretty sure you’re boiling all off the alcohol out.
Correct, which is why I don’t recommend letting it simmer after you add the rum. I say add rum, remove spices/citrus and serve. If you plan to have it at a party I’d recommend NOT adding the rum, leaving the cider on to simmer to keep it warm with the rum near the cider for people to add if they’d like. 🙂
This is a great recipe! Thanks. Made it tonight for a Covid fire pit on a cold night and every drop is gone. We will make this again for sure. BTW, I used anise extract because we couldn’t fine the star anise where we are. I used 1 tsp in place of the 4 stars. Everyone who tried it came back for seconds, and even thirds. It’s delicious and the house smelled wonderful while I was making it.
The perfect drink for a fire pit! So glad everyone loved it!
Can you use Anise extract if you can’t find whole?
hmmmm I’m sure you could. I’d just use a drop though, you don’t want it too strong.
this is so pretty! I love your photos so much!
This looks perfect! I really love this for Thanksgiving day!
Your pics are gorgeous and that cider sounds delicious!
How perfect for the season! This is sure to make your kitchen smell amazing, and how pretty!
Looks fantastic! All those flavors together makes this simply irresistible, just perfect!
I love that this is spiced…I want to come home to this warm sweet drink on a long fall day after work!!! Thanks for your sharing and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Aw, I hope you find the time to rest up and gain the energy you need and deserve. I can only imagine the first few stages of motherhood being the most taxing but emotionally fulfilling at the same time. Even though I figured that apple cider really isn’t that different from apple juice, I MUCH prefer it over apple juice any day! The warming spices actually make a significant difference in its aroma and flavor. This fancy spiked drink looks magnificent and would probably make your parents proud 🙂
Oh my goodness this cocktail look absolutely amazing! It truly looks delicious! Good idea for holidays. I bet those flavors are amazing! Cannot wait to try this! Love!