BHA & BHT Free Spiced Mulled Apple Cider
Warm, aromatic, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes the whole kitchen smell like a cozy autumn afternoon. Fresh ginger, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon sticks slowly infuse into the cider over a gentle simmer, building layers of flavor that no store-bought mix can replicate. That's actually the point ā packaged spice blends and flavored ciders are notorious for sneaking in synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT, but every single ingredient here is whole, fresh, and clean. Pure maple syrup adds just a touch of natural sweetness that you can dial up or down to your taste. The method is simple: warm, simmer low and slow, strain, and serve ā no boiling, which keeps the delicate spice notes bright rather than bitter. Garnished with a fresh apple slice and an extra cinnamon stick, it's as pretty in the mug as it is satisfying to drink. This is the kind of recipe you'll want to keep on rotation all season long.
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Learn more āIngredients
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 ā 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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