Black Pepper Free Warm Spiced Apple Cider
There is something deeply comforting about a mug of warm spiced cider on a cold day, and this version delivers all the cozy aromatics you could want. Cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, fennel seeds, and whole cloves do the heavy lifting here, creating a fragrant, layered warmth that feels festive without being fussy. A touch of honey rounds everything out with just enough sweetness, and you can dial it up or down to suit your taste. Many store-bought spice blends and flavored ciders sneak in pepper-derived ingredients or pre-mixed mulling spices that can be hard to vet — making this from scratch with whole spices keeps everything clean and controlled. The slow simmer (never a boil) is key to coaxing out the best from each spice without turning bitter or harsh. Straining into mugs gives you a silky, clear drink that looks as beautiful as it tastes, especially with a few thin apple slices floating on top. It comes together in under half an hour and is the kind of thing you'll want to make on repeat all season long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups fresh apple cider juice or unfiltered apple juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 slices fresh ginger (each about ¼ inch thick)
- ½ tsp fennel seeds
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 tbsp honey, or more to taste
For serving
- 1 medium apple, cored and thinly sliced, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, fennel seeds, and whole cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Warm until the cider just begins to steam and small bubbles form around the edges, about 8–10 minutes — do not let it boil.
- 2
Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 10 minutes, until the cider is fragrant and the spices have fully infused.
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