BHA & BHT Free Spiced Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Warm, spiced, and deeply comforting, this hot toddy is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a gift. Unfiltered apple cider brings a rich, cloudy sweetness that forms the backbone of the whole thing, while fresh ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper layer in warmth and complexity. A squeeze of real lemon juice and a spoonful of honey round everything out with brightness and natural sweetness — no shortcuts, no additives. That matters more than it might seem, because many store-bought spiced cider mixes and flavored drink syrups quietly contain preservatives like BHA and BHT to extend shelf life. Here, every single ingredient is whole and recognizable, so you know exactly what's going into your mug. The technique is simple — a gentle simmer to coax out the spices, then a quick strain — and the result is something that looks and tastes far more impressive than the effort involved. Tuck in a cinnamon stick and a lemon slice, and it's practically a spa treatment in a mug.
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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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