Spiced Mulled Apple Cider
A warm and flavorful spiced mulled apple cider recipe perfect for fall and holiday gatherings.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Small muslin spice bag
Ingredients
Spices
- 3 sticks cinnamon 3-inch sticks
- 5 cloves medium cloves
- 4 pods cardamom pressed until they just crack open
- ¼ teaspoon whole coriander seeds
- ½ pod star anise
Cider
- 1 quart high-quality apple cider 900 ml
Optional Additions
- 1 tablespoon brandy optional
- 1 tablespoon raw sugar optional
- lemon zest optional
Serving Suggestions
- extra brandy for serving
- lemon slices for serving
- freshly grated nutmeg for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Turn slow cooker to high and add apple cider. Cover and set aside.
- Heat a small skillet on medium-high and add spices. Toast, stirring frequently, until spices are fragrant and coriander seeds begin to darken. Set aside and either transfer to a reusable spice bag or add loose to cider.
- Cover and let cider mull on high (reduce if it begins to bubble) for about 4 hours, or until spice flavor is well infused. Ten minutes before serving, add brandy. Add sugar, 1 rounded teaspoon at a time, if cider is too tart (sugar will bring out flavor of spices if needed).
- Serve plain, or with a slice of lemon, extra brandy, or a small grating of nutmeg. If keeping warm for service, remove spices.
Notes
Ciders can vary greatly in sweetness and acidity. Adjust the final seasoning of the mulled cider with a spoonful of alcohol to enhance the fruity aromas, raw sugar to bring out the spice, and/or lemon to balance the sweetness. We recommend cider-friendly liquors, such as brandy, bourbon, or dark rum.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 30gSugar: 24g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!