Sesame Free Spiced Mulled Apple Cider

Total time30 min

Prep time5 min

Cook time25 min

4.6

(16)

Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a celebration. Fresh ginger, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon sticks slowly steep into the cider, building layers of flavor that no store-bought mix can touch. A splash of pure maple syrup rounds everything out with just the right amount of natural sweetness. Because every single ingredient here is a whole, recognizable food, there's no need to scan labels for hidden additives or worry about cross-contact from shared processing lines — it's genuinely clean and simple. The key is keeping the heat low and patient; you want the cider to steam and gently simmer rather than boil, which keeps the flavor bright and the spices balanced rather than bitter. Strained into a mug and garnished with a fresh apple slice, it looks as beautiful as it tastes. Whether you're hosting a gathering or just treating yourself on a quiet night in, this is the kind of recipe you'll come back to all season long.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

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.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!