Black Pepper Free Spiced Mulled Apple Cider
Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this mulled apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a celebration. Fresh apple cider is gently simmered with Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves until every sip is layered with cozy, aromatic spice. A touch of pure maple syrup rounds out the sweetness naturally, so there's no refined sugar or mystery additives to worry about. For anyone navigating a sensitivity to black pepper, this recipe is a genuinely satisfying win ā mulled cider blends are often pre-packaged with mixed spice blends that can sneak in peppercorns, but here every ingredient is chosen and visible. The slow simmer does all the heavy lifting, coaxing out deep flavor without ever letting the cider boil and turn bitter. Strained into a mug and garnished with a fresh apple slice and a cinnamon stick, it looks as beautiful as it tastes. This is the kind of thing you'll want to make on repeat 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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