Chicken Free Warm Spiced Apple Cider
There is something deeply comforting about wrapping both hands around a warm mug of spiced cider on a cool day, and this recipe delivers that feeling in the most satisfying way. Fresh apple cider gets gently warmed with cinnamon sticks, ginger, fennel seeds, and whole cloves, filling your kitchen with an aroma that feels like autumn in a saucepan. The low-and-slow simmer — never a rolling boil — is the key to coaxing out every layer of spice without losing the bright, fruity character of the cider. A stir of honey at the end rounds everything out with just the right touch of sweetness, and you can dial it up or down to suit your taste. Straining the spices before serving means every sip is silky smooth, and a few thin apple slices floating on top make it feel genuinely special. This is the kind of drink that works equally well for a quiet weeknight wind-down or as a crowd-pleasing option at a fall gathering.
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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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