Capsaicin Free Hibiscus-Lime Spiced Apple Cider
Warm, ruby-red, and fragrant with hibiscus and spice, this apple cider is the kind of drink that makes you want to curl up and stay there. Unfiltered apple cider forms a naturally sweet, cloudy base, while dried hibiscus flowers steep into something almost jewel-like — deep in color and gently tart. Ceylon cinnamon, whole cloves, fresh ginger, and a long strip of lime zest layer in warmth and complexity without a single hot pepper or capsaicin-containing ingredient in sight, making it a genuinely cozy option for anyone who needs to avoid that particular compound. The fresh lime juice stirred in at the end brightens everything beautifully, and a touch of maple syrup lets you dial the sweetness exactly where you want it. Straining out the solids leaves you with a silky, clear pour that looks stunning in a glass. Garnished with a lime slice and a sprig of fresh mint, it's as pretty as it is satisfying — the kind of thing you'd happily serve to guests without ever mentioning it was made with any particular restriction in mind.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
- ¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 2 ceylon cinnamon sticks
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 strip lime zest (about 3 inches), pith removed
- 1–2 tbsp maple syrup, or to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
For serving
- lime slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple cider, dried hibiscus flowers, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, cloves, and lime zest strip in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring once or twice, until the cider is steaming and just beginning to bubble at the edges, about 8–10 minutes.
- 2
Reduce the heat to low and steep, uncovered, for 10 minutes, until the cider is a deep ruby-red and fragrant with hibiscus and spice.
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