Artificial Food Coloring Free Hot Honey-Cinnamon Apple Cider
Warm, spiced, and deeply comforting, this hot apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a celebration. Fresh apple cider simmers low and slow with whole cloves, sliced ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon sticks, drawing out layers of flavor that no store-bought mix could ever replicate. Honey steps in as the natural sweetener, so there's zero need for the dyes and artificial flavoring syrups that sneak into so many packaged cider blends and seasonal drink mixes. Ceylon cinnamon — used here both as whole sticks and ground — has a gentler, more floral quality than the common cassia variety, and it makes the whole pot smell absolutely incredible. The ginger adds just enough warmth to give it a subtle kick without overwhelming the apple base. Everything gets strained clean before serving, so what ends up in your mug is pure, smooth, and completely free of anything artificial. Finish with a fresh apple slice and a cinnamon stick for a presentation that looks as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups fresh apple cider (not apple juice)
- 2 ceylon cinnamon sticks
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 tbsp honey, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
For serving
- 1 medium apple, cored and thinly sliced, for serving (optional)
- 4 ceylon cinnamon sticks, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple cider, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, and whole cloves 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 let it boil.
- 2
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the honey and ground Ceylon cinnamon. Continue to heat gently for 10 minutes, until the cider is fragrant and the honey is fully dissolved.
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