Citrus 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 forget the outside world exists. Fresh apple cider gets gently simmered with Ceylon cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and sliced ginger until the whole kitchen smells incredible — then honey is stirred in for a subtle, floral sweetness that feels anything but ordinary. The choice of Ceylon cinnamon is worth noting: it's softer and more nuanced than the cassia variety most people have in their spice cabinet, and it shows in every sip. Many warming drinks and spiced blends sneak in citrus peel or orange zest for brightness, but this recipe achieves that same lively depth through ginger and clove alone — no fruit acids required. Adjusting the honey at the end means you can dial the sweetness exactly where you want it, making this as mellow or as bold as your mood calls for. Garnished with thin apple slices and a fresh cinnamon stick, it's as pretty in the mug as it is satisfying to drink.
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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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