Caffeine Free Hot Honey-Cinnamon Apple Cider
Warm, spiced, and deeply comforting, this hot apple cider is the kind of drink that makes you want to curl up under a blanket and let the whole day melt away. Fresh apple cider gets gently infused with Ceylon cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and sliced ginger before honey is stirred in to round out every sip with a soft, floral sweetness. Ceylon cinnamon is worth seeking out here — it's noticeably more delicate and complex than the standard cassia variety, and it makes a real difference in the final flavor. Because everything in this recipe is naturally free of stimulants, it's a genuinely satisfying alternative to coffee or tea on a cold morning or evening without any compromise on coziness. The low-and-slow heating method keeps the cider from boiling, which preserves the bright, fresh apple flavor and lets the spices bloom without turning bitter. A little extra honey stirred in at the end means you can dial the sweetness exactly to your liking. Garnish with thin apple slices and a cinnamon stick and it 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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