MSG 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 slow, gentle simmer with fresh ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, lemon zest, and a whisper of turmeric — no flavor packets, no shortcuts, just real ingredients doing all the work. Because every component here is a whole, single-ingredient food, you never have to second-guess what's in your mug the way you might with store-bought spiced cider mixes, which often sneak in additives and flavor enhancers. The honey goes in off the heat, so its natural sweetness stays bright and clean rather than cooking away. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end lifts the whole thing, balancing the warmth of the ginger and spice with a little citrus zing. Serve it straight from the strainer into your favorite mug, garnished with a fresh lemon slice and a sliver of ginger for a finish that 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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