I was first introduced to mulled drinks a couple of years ago at a festive gathering hosted by our team member Naomi and her husband Scott. There, I experienced the comforting warmth of their homemade mulled apple beverage, a taste I’ll never forget. The following year, when we hosted a Christmas get-together at our house, Scott brought over all the ingredients and showed me how to make it. In our home, we now call this mulled drink ‘Scott’s holiday drink’. Inspired by this, I began creating my own homemade mulling spices and mulled cider, filling my home with delightful aromas. The best part? This recipe can be enjoyed with or without alcohol or wine for those who prefer a non-alcoholic option.
What is Mulled Cider
Hot mulled cider is a versatile drink, perfect for the fall and holiday seasons. It’s apple cider infused with a delightful blend of fall or holiday spices like cinnamon and cloves. The warm, spiced, cozy flavor is a favorite for many. You can also use pressed apple juice instead of apple cider, giving you the freedom to experiment and find your perfect blend. It’s important to note the distinction between hot mulled cider and its alcoholic counterpart, mulled wine—also called warm sangria. While both are infused with mulling spices, the mulled wine recipe includes a full bottle of red wine and often incorporates orange and/or apples, sugar or honey, and liquors such as brandy, cognac, rum, and vodka. On the other hand, hot mulled cider is typically the non-alcoholic version, perfect for cozy evenings.
Why We Love This Recipe
A comforting and festive drink. This beverage is warm, naturally sweet, and mildly spiced, making it perfect for holiday entertaining. A quick and easy drink to make. Just add the ingredients together and let it simmer for 10 minutes! Can be made in advance.
Adding Wine to Mulled Cider
Scott adds wine to his holiday drink, and I love how wine gives it a nice, bold, deep flavor that apple cider doesn’t have. As I’m not a huge alcoholic drinker myself, mulled wine is a bit too much to handle; however, this hot mulled cider with the addition of wine is perfect for me. So, for adults, try adding some wine. I usually add 1 cup (240 ml) of wine per ½ gallon (2 QT or 2 L) of apple cider. If you prefer more alcohol, gradually increase the wine to 2 cups. Types of Wine – A medium-priced (<$20) bottle of your favorite red wine would do. I use Malbec, which has rich and fruity flavors, pairing well with holiday spices. Many people recommend different wines: Zinfandel, Syrah/Shiraz, Merlot, Grenache, etc. So, go with what you enjoy since you will only use 1-2 cups. (240-480 ml).
Which Type of Apple Cider
Apple cider is the most essential ingredient for excellent hot mulled cider (of course!). You will need fresh apple cider with no added sugar or spices. Look for cloudy or unfiltered apple cider in the refrigerator section of the store. DO NOT get “spiced” apple cider or Martinelli’s sparkling apple cider for this recipe. Scott uses pressed apple juice for his holiday drink, and his recommendation is TreeTop’s pure pressed 100% apple juice, which is also cloudy and unfiltered.
Mulling Spices: What You’ll Need
My first mix of mulling spices was a jar from Target that Scott left me. Unfortunately, they no longer carry it. So, I had to look for alternatives. I bought a few brands of mulling spices (which were already mixes of spices) and added individual spices to create my own blend. I learned that all the store-bought mulling spices contained the four must-have spices in their blends. Must-Have Spices
Allspice berries, Cinnamon sticks Dried orange peels Whole cloves
Add-On Spices
Cardamom pods – Highly recommend it! Star anise – Highly recommend it! Peppercorns Whole nutmeg
Shortcut for Making Mulling Spices You can purchase premade mulling spice to avoid buying individual spices to make your own mulling spice, but I suggest adding my two recommendations (listed above). The mulling spice mix I recommend comes in a bag or jar like those shown above. If you buy these premade mulling spices, you can add cardamom pods and star anise—the two additional recommended spices.
Bonus: Make A Big Batch and Gift Your Friends and Family!
These Homemade Mulling Spices make a great holiday gift. This recipe yields three 4-oz jars, each containing 6 tablespoons of mulling spices. You can write the instructions for preparing mulled cider or mulled wine on a craft tag for a nice finishing touch. Secure it with red and white baker’s twine or a holiday-themed ribbon. This mulling mix smells so good that you may want to make a few sachets or spice bags (using cheesecloth) to strategically hang over the holidays.
How to Make Mulled Cider
You can find the full printable/written recipe with step-by-step pictures in the Recipe Card below.
Recipe Tips
Use whole or crushed spices instead of powdered spices to prevent the drink from becoming cloudy during simmering. Heat the mulled cider in a French/Dutch oven for a beautiful presentation and excellent heat retention. A slow cooker (crock pot) is also suitable. Warm the mixture slowly; ensure it simmers gently without boiling. You can also enhance the presentation and flavor by adding orange slices for citrus hints. Try adding dried cranberries or a splash of cranberry juice for additional flavor. Serve the drink with a cinnamon stick for garnish or candied lemon peel for an extra touch.
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