Mustard 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 cider simmers low and slow with whole cloves, sliced ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon sticks, drawing out layers of flavor that no store-bought mix can replicate. Ceylon cinnamon is a deliberate choice here — its softer, more floral character keeps the spice balanced rather than sharp, letting the natural sweetness of the cider shine through. Honey steps in as the sweetener, stirred in gently off the boil so it melts into the drink without losing its complexity. The whole thing is completely free of mustard and any of the sneaky condiment-adjacent ingredients that can show up in flavored drink mixes or spice blends. Straining everything through a fine-mesh sieve gives you a silky, clear mug with none of the gritty bits — just pure, fragrant warmth. Garnish with a fresh apple slice and a cinnamon stick if you want to make it feel a little extra special.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!