Beef Free Hot Honey-Cinnamon Apple Cider
Warm, spiced, and deeply aromatic, this hot apple cider is the kind of drink that makes you want to curl up under a blanket and let the season do its thing. Fresh apple cider — not juice — forms the backbone here, giving the drink a rich, orchard-forward depth that store-bought mixes simply can't replicate. Ceylon cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and fresh ginger steep low and slow to coax out every bit of warmth and complexity without a single drop of anything animal-derived. Honey brings a floral sweetness that plays beautifully against the gentle heat of the ginger, and because you add it to taste, you're always in control of the final flavor. The slow, no-boil technique keeps the cider silky and smooth rather than sharp or bitter — a small detail that makes a big difference in the cup. Garnish with thin apple slices and an extra cinnamon stick and it looks as good as it tastes, whether you're hosting a crowd or just treating yourself on a quiet evening.
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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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