Description
This Easy Spiced Hot Apple Cider is a cozy, aromatic drink infused with warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and cardamom. Sweetened with maple syrup and optionally spiked with smooth gold rum, this cider is perfect for chilly days and festive gatherings. Garnished with fresh apple and orange slices and served with a cinnamon stick, it’s a delightful way to warm your soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Spiced Apple Cider
- 8 cups apple cider (2 quarts / about 2 L)
- ½ lemon zest (without pith)
- 1 orange (separated into zest and segments)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup gold rum (optional; increase up to 1 ½ cups if desired)
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- ½ tsp whole cloves
- 1 tsp allspice berries
- 10 – 12 cardamom pods
- ⅕ of a nutmeg (or ¼ tsp ground nutmeg)
- 1 inch ginger, sliced
- ½ tbsp whole peppercorns (optional)
- 1 star anise (optional)
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 cup chilled heavy cream (about 240 mL)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 generous pinch sea salt
- 3 – 4 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Garnishes
- Apple slices
- Orange slices
- Cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the Spices: In a large pot, combine the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, cardamom pods, nutmeg, sliced ginger, peppercorns, lemon zest, and orange zest. This blend of whole spices will infuse your cider with a complex, warm flavor.
- Add Apple Cider and Sweetener: Pour the apple cider into the pot over the spices. Stir in the maple syrup for natural sweetness. If you prefer an adult version, add the gold rum now or keep it alcohol-free by omitting this step.
- Simmer the Cider: Heat the mixture gently over medium-low heat, allowing it to come to a simmer. Let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes so the flavors meld together nicely without boiling off the alcohol if included.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping: While the cider simmers, whip the heavy cream with ground cinnamon, sea salt, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This cream topping adds a rich, sweet contrast to the spiced cider.
- Strain the Cider: After simmering, strain the cider through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove all the whole spices and zest pieces, resulting in a smooth, clear beverage.
- Serve Warm: Pour the hot cider into mugs or heatproof glasses. Top each serving with a generous dollop of the cinnamon-spiced whipped cream. Garnish with fresh apple slices, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick for stirring and added aroma.
- Enjoy: Sip slowly to enjoy the balanced warmth and sweetness—a perfect drink to cozy up during cool weather or festive occasions.
Notes
- This recipe is highly adaptable; adjust the spice amounts to taste or omit any optional spices you don’t have.
- For a non-alcoholic version, simply leave out the rum or substitute with apple juice or more cider.
- Feel free to increase the rum quantity up to 1 ½ cups for a stronger spiked cider.
- Use fresh, high-quality apple cider for the best flavor.
- The whipped cream topping can be prepared ahead and kept chilled until serving.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup or brown sugar depending on your taste preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 154 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 11 mg
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
