Festive Apple Cider
Cozy up this holiday season with a steaming mug of Festive Apple Cider, the ultimate drink to warm your soul and embrace the flavors of fall and winter. Crafted with unfiltered apple cider, fresh orange slices, and a medley of seasonal spices like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and ground nutmeg, this cider is gently simmered for a rich and aromatic infusion. A hint of sliced ginger adds a subtle zing, while optional brown sugar can be stirred in for those who enjoy a touch of extra sweetness. Perfect for entertaining or quiet evenings by the fire, this easy-to-make cider is ready in just 40 minutes and can be garnished with elegant apple slices and cinnamon sticks for a festive presentation. Whether served at a Thanksgiving gathering or enjoyed as a Christmas treat, this spiced apple cider recipe is sure to leave everyone feeling merry and bright.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider (unfiltered)
- 1 medium orange
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- 1 inch fresh ginger (sliced)
- 0.25 teaspoons nutmeg (ground)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 cup water
- 0.5 cup apple slices (for garnish)
- 2 cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
Instructions
Pour the apple cider and water into a large pot or Dutch oven.
Wash the orange thoroughly, then slice it into thin rounds. Add the orange slices to the pot.
Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, sliced ginger, and ground nutmeg to the pot.
If you'd like a sweeter cider, stir in the brown sugar at this point.
Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Occasionally stir the cider to ensure the spices are evenly distributed and nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.
Once done, carefully strain the cider through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof bowl or pitcher to remove the solids (spices, orange slices, etc.).
Serve the cider hot in mugs, garnishing each cup with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick for a festive touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
218 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.2 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4 g | 2% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 22 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 53.8 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.5 g | ||
| Protein | 0.8 g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 119 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 472 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
