Xanthan Gum Free Hot Honey-Cinnamon Apple Cider
Warm, spiced, and deeply comforting, this stovetop apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a celebration. Fresh apple cider simmers low and slow with whole cloves, sliced ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon sticks — a gentler, more floral variety than the standard cassia — before honey is stirred in to round out every sip. Ceylon cinnamon is worth seeking out here; its delicate sweetness plays beautifully against the bright tartness of the cider without overwhelming it. Because this recipe is built entirely from whole, unprocessed ingredients, there are no thickeners, stabilizers, or additives to worry about — just pure, honest flavor from the pot to your mug. The honey level is completely adjustable, so you can dial up the sweetness or keep things more tart depending on your mood. Garnishing with fresh apple slices and an extra cinnamon stick turns a simple weeknight drink into something that looks genuinely impressive. It's the kind of recipe you'll come back to every 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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