Shellfish 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 gets gently infused with Ceylon cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and sliced ginger before honey is stirred in to round out every sip with floral sweetness. Ceylon cinnamon is worth seeking out here — its softer, more delicate flavor lets the apple and ginger shine rather than overpowering the whole cup. The low-and-slow approach keeps everything from boiling, which preserves the bright, fruity notes that make fresh cider so much better than the bottled stuff. Straining the solids leaves you with a silky, crystal-clear drink that looks as beautiful as it tastes, especially when garnished with thin apple slices and a fresh cinnamon stick. You can dial the honey up or down to suit your crowd, making it easy to please everyone from kids to guests who like things on the sweeter side. It's naturally free of anything from the sea and relies entirely on pantry staples and fresh produce, so there's zero stress about what's in it.
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!