The Winter Cider
Cozy up this season with "The Winter Cider," a soul-warming drink that blends the best flavors of cold-weather comfort. This aromatic recipe combines spiced apple cider with fresh orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and a hint of ginger for a perfectly balanced festive sip. A touch of honey or brown sugar enhances the natural sweetness, while a splash of vanilla extract adds depth. Ready in just 40 minutes—including simmering to maximize flavor—this versatile drink is perfect as-is or with a splash of bourbon for an adult-friendly twist. Served steaming hot in mugs and garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange slice, "The Winter Cider" is a must-have for holiday gatherings, cozy nights in, or any winter celebration.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups Apple cider
- 1 large Oranges
- 3 sticks Cinnamon sticks
- 8 pieces Whole cloves
- 2 pods Star anise
- 1 inch piece Fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons Honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 ounce per serving Optional bourbon (for adults)
Instructions
Pour the apple cider into a large pot or slow cooker.
Slice the orange into thin rounds and add them to the pot.
Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise pods, and the piece of fresh ginger (sliced or crushed slightly to release flavor).
Stir in the honey or brown sugar and the vanilla extract.
Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to just shy of a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Taste and adjust sweetness as needed, adding more honey or sugar if desired.
Strain the cider through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the spices and orange slices if a smooth texture is preferred.
Serve hot in mugs. For adults, add 1 ounce of bourbon to each serving for an extra warming touch.
Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick, orange slice, or star anise pod for a festive presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
171 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.6 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 12 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.7 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.9 g | ||
| Protein | 0.6 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 52 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 0.6 mg | 3% | |
| Potassium | 329 mg | 7% | |
*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.
