Artificial Food Coloring Free Spiced Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Warm, golden, and deeply aromatic, this spiced hot toddy is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a gift. Unfiltered apple cider brings a naturally cloudy, orchard-fresh sweetness that no artificially colored mixer can touch, and every other ingredient here is exactly what it says it is — fresh ginger, real honey, a squeeze of lemon, and a handful of warming spices. That matters more than you might think, because plenty of packaged drink mixes and flavored syrups sneak in synthetic dyes to achieve that appealing amber glow. This one earns its gorgeous color the honest way, straight from the cider and turmeric. The technique is simple: a gentle simmer coaxes the spices into the liquid without boiling off the brightness, and straining out the ginger leaves you with a silky, clean sip. Honey and lemon go in off the heat so their flavors stay vivid and fresh. It's the kind of drink you'll want to make on repeat all season long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 2 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
For serving
- 2 cinnamon sticks (optional)
- 2 lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple cider, water, ginger slices, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring once or twice, until fragrant and steaming, about 5–7 minutes. Do not boil.
- 2
Remove from heat and stir in the honey and lemon juice until the honey is fully dissolved.
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