Barley Free Spiced Mulled Apple Cider

Total time30 min

Prep time5 min

Cook time25 min

4.6

(16)

Warm, aromatic, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel instantly cozier. Fresh ginger, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon sticks slowly infuse into the cider over a gentle simmer, building layers of spice that feel almost festive in the best possible way. A touch of pure maple syrup rounds everything out with just the right amount of natural sweetness. Because every ingredient here is straightforwardly whole and unprocessed, there's no need to scrutinize labels for hidden grain-derived additives — it's simply fruit, spice, and a little natural sweetener. The key is keeping the heat low and patient; you want the cider to steam and slowly draw out all that fragrance without ever reaching a rolling boil. Strained into a mug and garnished with a fresh apple slice, it looks as beautiful as it tastes. This is the kind of recipe you'll find yourself coming back to every time the temperature drops.

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Ingredients

4 servings

4 cups fresh apple cider (not fermented or hard cider)
2 ceylon cinnamon sticks
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
4 whole green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
3 whole cloves
1 tbsp pure maple syrup, or more to taste

For serving

2 fresh apple slices, for serving (optional)
1 ceylon cinnamon stick, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the apple cider, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, cardamom pods, and cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Warm until the cider just begins to steam and small bubbles form at the edges, about 5 minutes — do not let it boil.
2
Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 20 minutes, until the cider is deeply fragrant and the spices have fully infused.

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