Nutmeg Free Warm Spiced Apple Cider

Total time25 min

Prep time5 min

Cook time20 min

4.7

(25)

Warm apple cider is one of those drinks that instantly makes a cold day feel manageable, and this stovetop version is deeply fragrant and satisfying. Cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, fennel seeds, and whole cloves do all the heavy lifting here, creating a spice blend that's complex and warming without relying on any of the usual suspects that can sneak into pre-made mixes. Many store-bought spiced ciders and seasoning blends include nutmeg as a background note, so brewing your own from scratch is the cleanest way to stay in control of exactly what goes into your mug. The ginger adds a gentle heat, the fennel brings a subtle sweetness, and the cloves round everything out with that classic cozy depth. A spoonful of honey stirred in at the end lets you dial the sweetness to exactly where you want it. Strained smooth and served steaming hot with a few thin apple slices floating on top, this is the kind of drink you'll want to make every weekend from October through February.

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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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