Lactose Free Lemon-Ginger Spiced Apple Cider
Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold day feel like a gift. Unfiltered apple cider gets a serious flavor upgrade from fresh ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, lemon zest, and a pinch of turmeric — all simmered low and slow until every sip is layered and aromatic. The whole thing is naturally free of dairy in any form, so there's zero swapping or substituting required; it's just good ingredients doing their thing. Honey rounds out the brightness of the lemon juice with a gentle sweetness you can dial up or down to your liking. Keeping the heat below a boil is the small but important trick here — it coaxes out the spice without turning anything bitter or harsh. Strain it into your favorite mug, drop in a fresh lemon slice and a curl of ginger if you're feeling fancy, and you've got something that tastes like it took far more effort than it did.
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 (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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!