Homemade Hot Apple Cider – Culinary Ginger

There’s nothing quite like the cozy aroma of homemade Hot Apple Cider simmering on the stove. Similar to mulled cider, fresh apple juice infused with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and slices of orange fills your kitchen with the scent and tastes of fall. It’s warm, comforting, and perfectly spiced – like a hug in a mug.

Hot apple cider ingredients

• Apple juice
• Cinnamon sticks
• Fresh oranges
• Nutmeg
• Whole cloves

It’s everyone’s favorite fall and winter comforting drink — and this is the easiest hot apple cider recipe you’ll find. It’s been a popular favorite here since 2014. It’s completely kid-friendly, too! As a bonus, it doubles as a natural air freshener — your house will smell like Christmas came early and give you that “Christmas in a cup” feeling.

Hot apple cider for entertaining

When serving guests, keep the cider warm on low heat in a slow cooker/crock pot and ladle out as needed into mugs. Add a splash of alcohol for the adults (more on this below), and garnish with orange slices and apple slices for a festive touch.

Juicing apples for apple cider

When apple season rolls around, nothing beats the flavor of freshly juiced apples, which you can use for this recipe. My favorite (and I think the best apples to use) are  Honeycrisp apples. 

Their natural sweetness means you don’t need to add sugar, since cooking concentrates the flavor beautifully. Other varieties of apples like Gala, Pink Lady, or Fuji work just as well. I avoid tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn, since they make the cider less naturally sweet.

Making hot apple cider in the slow cooker

You can make it completely in the slow cooker. Just add the fresh apple juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, and orange slices, then set to low for about 2 to 3 hours. The gentle heat brings out all the cozy flavors and keeps your kitchen smelling amazing. Keep it warm on the “keep warm” setting for serving throughout the day.

Apple cider vs apple juice

When you buy apple cider (not to be confused with the hot apple cider recipe) in the U.S., it’s different from apple cider in the U.K. In the U.K., “apple cider” refers to hard cider, which is alcoholic. In the U.S., apple cider is unfiltered and often unpasteurized, giving it a cloudy appearance, while apple juice is filtered, pasteurized, and clear. You can use either apple cider or apple juice for this recipe.

Additional options for homemade apple cider

• Add a piece of fresh ginger while the cider simmers for a little warmth and spice.
• Sweeten it with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
• A splash of pure vanilla extract adds depth and aroma.
• For an adult twist, stir in a splash of rum, brandy, or cognac.

What to serve with hot apple cider

Hot apple cider is perfect all on its own, but I also love serving it with a good dessert. I made this cider to accompany my Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding. You can see it in the picture above.

If hot drinks aren’t your thing, my Sparkling Apple Punch (pictured below) is just as delicious and refreshing.

If you’ve made my Homemade Hot Apple Cider please leave a star rating in the recipe card. You can also leave a comment or ask a question below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see daily recipe updates.

Janette is a professionally trained chef based in California who channels her passion for cooking into thoughtfully crafted recipes. Her culinary creations are inspired by her English heritage as well as her favorite global cuisines, including Indian and Italian. Connect with her on  Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more delicious inspiration. More About Janette…