Nutmeg Free Spiced Apple Cider

Total time25 min

Prep time5 min

Cook time20 min

4.9

(14)

Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel instantly cozier. Unfiltered apple cider gets a slow simmer with Ceylon cinnamon, fresh ginger, whole cloves, and a touch of turmeric — a lineup that delivers serious warmth and complexity without a trace of nutmeg anywhere near the pot. That matters more than you might think, since so many spiced cider blends and store-bought mulling mixes lean heavily on nutmeg as a default ingredient. Here, the Ceylon cinnamon brings a softer, more floral heat than standard cassia, while the fresh ginger adds a bright, clean bite that keeps the whole cup feeling lively. A splash of fresh lemon juice and a drizzle of maple syrup at the end balance the spice beautifully, rounding everything out without overpowering the apple. Straining the cider into mugs means you get a silky, clear drink with all the flavor and none of the grit. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a thin apple slice if you want to make it feel a little special — though honestly, it barely needs the help.

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Ingredients

4 servings

4 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
2 ceylon cinnamon sticks
1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
½ tsp ground turmeric
4 whole cloves
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For serving

4 ceylon cinnamon sticks, for serving (optional)
4 thin apple slices, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the apple cider, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, turmeric, and whole cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Warm, stirring once or twice, until the cider just begins to steam and small bubbles form at the edges, about 8–10 minutes — do not let it boil.
2
Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 10 minutes, until the cider is fragrant and deeply spiced.

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