BHA & BHT Free Hot Honey-Cinnamon Apple Cider
Warm, spiced, and deeply aromatic, this stovetop apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold afternoon feel like a celebration. Fresh apple cider simmers low and slow with Ceylon cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and sliced ginger until the kitchen smells absolutely incredible — then a generous stir of honey brings it all together with natural sweetness. Ceylon cinnamon is worth seeking out here; it has a softer, more floral flavor than the cassia variety and contains none of the synthetic preservatives that sneak into so many packaged spice blends and bottled cider mixes. Every single ingredient in this recipe is whole and unprocessed, which means no BHA, no BHT, and none of the shelf-stability additives that make store-bought versions a gamble. The honey is stirred in off the heat so it stays raw and vibrant, and you can adjust the sweetness one teaspoon at a time until it's exactly right for you. Garnish with thin apple slices and a fresh cinnamon stick for a mug that looks as good as it tastes. This is the kind of recipe you'll come back to every single time the temperature drops.
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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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