Capsaicin Free Warm Spiced Apple Cider
Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this spiced apple cider is the kind of drink that makes a cold evening feel like a celebration. Cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, fennel seeds, and whole cloves steep slowly in fresh apple cider until every sip is layered with cozy, aromatic flavor. For anyone who needs to avoid capsaicin, mulled drinks can be a minefield — many spice blends and pre-made ciders sneak in chili or pepper-derived ingredients without much fanfare. Here, every single ingredient is straightforward and heat-free, so you can sip without second-guessing the label. A touch of honey stirred in at the end rounds out the spice with just the right amount of sweetness, and you can dial it up or down to suit your taste. Straining everything through a fine-mesh sieve gives you a beautifully clear, silky drink that looks as good as it tastes. Float a few thin apple slices on top and it's practically ready for a holiday table.
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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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