Barley Free Spiced Hot Apple Cider
Warming, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold day feel like a gift. Fresh ginger, whole cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon sticks steep right in the pot, filling your kitchen with an aroma that's hard to beat. A pinch of turmeric adds a subtle earthiness and a gorgeous golden hue, while a squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up at the end. Many store-bought spiced ciders and flavored drink mixes can sneak in grain-derived additives or malt-based ingredients, so making your own from scratch is the cleanest way to go. Every ingredient here is naturally free of barley and grain fillers — just real fruit, whole spices, honey, and nothing you'd need to second-guess. It comes together in under half an hour and strains beautifully into mugs for a polished, cozy presentation. Sip it as-is or dress it up with a cinnamon stick for a drink that feels genuinely special.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
- 2 ceylon cinnamon sticks
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 tbsp honey, plus more to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- apple slices or ceylon cinnamon sticks, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple cider, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, turmeric, and cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring once or twice, until steam rises steadily and small bubbles appear around the edges, about 8–10 minutes.
- 2
Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, until the cider is fragrant and the spices have fully infused.
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