Spiced Apple Cider
A warm, comforting non-alcoholic drink with apple cider and spices like cinnamon and cloves.
What is this drink?
Spiced Apple Cider is a beloved warm mocktail that simmers fresh apple cider with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice to create an aromatic, deeply warming autumn and winter beverage that fills the whole room with its incredible scent.
Why you'll love it
The combination of sweet apple cider and warming spices creates an intensely comforting drink that evokes harvest festivals, fall foliage, and cozy fireside evenings — it is autumn in liquid form.
When to serve
A natural for Thanksgiving, Halloween, harvest festivals, apple picking outings, holiday parties, or any autumn and winter gathering where warming comfort drinks are called for.
Pro tip
Let the cider steep on very low heat for 20-30 minutes rather than just bringing it to a simmer — the extended gentle heat extracts far more flavor and aroma from the whole spices.
Apple Cider
Fresh, unfiltered apple cider provides a naturally sweet, slightly tart, and deeply apple-forward base that is far more complex and flavorful than apple juice for this warming mocktail.
Cinnamon Sticks
Whole cinnamon sticks release warm, sweet-spicy notes slowly into the simmering cider, creating the drink's signature autumn warmth and filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.
Cloves
Intensely aromatic whole cloves add a pungent, slightly medicinal warmth that gives spiced cider its holiday character and layers of spice complexity beyond simple cinnamon.
Swap Options
Add fresh slices of orange to the simmering cider for a citrus dimension. Include a vanilla bean for sweet floral depth. Use pear cider instead of apple for an elegant, slightly different autumnal variation.
Heat cider
In a saucepan, combine apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Heat gently until steaming.
Tips:
- •Do not boil to preserve flavor.
Strain and serve
Remove spices and pour into mug.
Tips:
- •Optional: add garnish.
Garnish
Add orange and apple slices.
Tips:
- •Serve warm.
- Adjust spices to taste.
- Use fresh cider for better flavor.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Cranberry Apple Cider
Add one cup of cranberry juice to the simmering cider for a tart, ruby-hued variation that is particularly festive for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The cranberry's sharpness balances the cider's sweetness and deepens the seasonal flavor beautifully.
Vanilla Orange Spiced Cider
Add a split vanilla bean and two wide strips of orange peel to the simmering spices. The vanilla adds a warm, floral sweetness and the orange lifts the overall aroma into something genuinely sophisticated and complex.
Pear and Ginger Cider
Replace half the apple cider with fresh pear juice and add three slices of fresh ginger to the spice blend. The pear's delicate floral sweetness and ginger's warmth create a more refined, nuanced spiced cider variation.
Tools that make this drink come together
Medium Saucepan
A medium saucepan with a lid is ideal for simmering the cider with spices — the lid traps aromatic steam and prevents excessive evaporation during the longer, low-heat steeping that produces the most flavorful cider.
Fine Mesh Strainer
A fine mesh strainer removes the whole spices before serving, ensuring a clean, smooth cider without any bits of cinnamon bark, cloves, or allspice berries in the cup. Essential for a polished result.
Ladle
A ladle allows you to serve from a pot or slow cooker cleanly and without splashing, which is particularly useful when serving multiple guests or keeping a large batch warm on the stove for a party.
Can't Find These?
No saucepan? Heat cider with spices in a microwave in a large heatproof jug for 3-4 minutes, letting spices steep for 10 minutes. Any strainer works for removing spices. Pour carefully with a large measuring cup if no ladle is available.
The right glass makes a real difference
Ceramic Mug or Heatproof Glass Mug
A thick ceramic mug is the natural home for hot spiced apple cider — it retains heat well, feels comforting in cold hands, and allows the full aroma of cinnamon and cloves to fill the air with every sip. A clear heatproof glass mug shows off the cider's warm amber color and the cinnamon stick garnish, making it an especially inviting presentation for autumn entertaining.
Alternatives
A wide-mouthed soup mug works perfectly and accommodates an apple slice and cinnamon stick garnish elegantly. Mason jars give a rustic, harvest-festival presentation that suits the drink's autumnal character beautifully.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Apple Cinnamon Donuts
Apple donuts share the cider's defining flavor combination in solid form. The warm spiced cider and a freshly fried apple donut create one of the most classic American autumn pairings possible.
Pumpkin Pie
The warm cinnamon, clove, and allspice spices in this cider mirror the exact spice profile of pumpkin pie filling. Served together, they create a deeply cohesive, quintessential Thanksgiving experience.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Aged sharp cheddar's savory, slightly tangy flavor pairs brilliantly with sweet, spiced apple cider — an unexpected but classic combination that elevates both the cheese and the drink when enjoyed together.
Pecan Sticky Buns
Rich, buttery pecan sticky buns with caramel and cinnamon are a natural companion for spiced cider. The warm spices in both create a warming, indulgent autumn breakfast or dessert combination.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Make a Large Batch in a Slow Cooker
Combine the full recipe multiplied by 8-10 in a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours. The extended low heat extracts maximum flavor from the spices and keeps the cider perfectly warm for the entire duration of a party.
Prepare a Spice Bundle
Tie cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice in a small cheesecloth bundle for easy removal after steeping. Prepare multiple bundles in advance so each batch of cider can be started immediately without measuring spices.
Store and Reheat
Strain and refrigerate finished spiced cider for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave per serving, adding a fresh cinnamon stick garnish. The flavor actually deepens slightly after a day.
Freeze in Portions
Freeze strained, cooled spiced cider in individual portions in silicone molds or freezer bags. Defrost and reheat for an instant warming drink on cold mornings without any preparation time required.
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