Barley Free Lemon-Ginger Spiced Apple Cider
Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a celebration. Unfiltered apple cider gets a serious upgrade from fresh ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, bright lemon zest, and a whisper of turmeric — all simmered low and slow until the whole kitchen smells incredible. The honey goes in at the end so its sweetness stays clean and adjustable, letting you dial the flavor exactly where you want it. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of grain-based additives, so there's no need to squint at labels or worry about hidden fillers sneaking into your mug. The gentle simmer — never a full boil — keeps the flavors rounded and mellow rather than sharp or bitter. Straining everything through a fine-mesh sieve means you get a silky, clear cup with all the warmth and none of the fuss. Float a thin slice of lemon and a curl of fresh ginger on top and it looks as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
- 1 cup water
- 1 lemon, zest peeled in wide strips and juiced (about 3 tbsp juice)
- 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 ceylon cinnamon sticks
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp honey, plus more to taste
For serving
- 4 thin lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- 4 small fresh ginger slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple cider, water, lemon zest strips, sliced ginger, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, and turmeric in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir briefly to distribute the turmeric.
- 2
Heat the mixture until it just begins to steam and small bubbles form around the edges, about 8–10 minutes — do not bring to a full boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 10 minutes, until the cider is fragrant and the ginger and cinnamon aromas are pronounced.
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