Black Pepper Free Chamomile & Vanilla Spiced Apple Cider
Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes you want to curl up under a blanket the moment it starts simmering on the stove. Fresh-pressed apple cider forms the base, layered with floral chamomile, earthy turmeric, bright ginger, and sweet vanilla powder for a flavor that feels both cozy and a little unexpected. Many spiced cider blends and mulling mixes sneak in black pepper or peppercorn for heat, but every bit of warmth here comes from ginger and Ceylon cinnamon instead — no substitutions needed, no label-checking required. Ceylon cinnamon is worth seeking out specifically; it's softer and more delicate than the common cassia variety, which lets the chamomile and vanilla really shine through. A touch of honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice round everything out, balancing the sweetness without overpowering the floral notes. Straining the finished cider through a fine-mesh sieve keeps the texture silky smooth in the mug. It's an elegant, thoughtfully built drink that genuinely doesn't feel like it's missing a thing.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups fresh-pressed apple cider (unfiltered)
- 3 chamomile tea bags (or 3 tsp loose dried chamomile flowers)
- ½ tsp vanilla powder
- 2 sticks ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp honey, plus more to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- apple slices or ceylon cinnamon sticks, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple cider, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, and ground turmeric in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Warm, stirring occasionally, until the cider just begins to steam and small bubbles form around the edges, about 8–10 minutes — do not bring to a full boil.
- 2
Reduce the heat to low. Add the chamomile tea bags and vanilla powder, pressing the bags gently to submerge them. Steep for 5 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags and cinnamon sticks.
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