Autumn into winter, Mulled Cider is the perfect drink to welcome the season. Fragrant with citrus, cinnamon and cloves and mellowed by caramelly notes of brown sugar, this easy to make beverage is a delight to the senses. Serve it with a plate of seasonal cookies or as a refreshing beverage all on its own.
Welcoming the Flavors of the Season
Do you have a favorite autumn beverage? Or a cup of something you look forward to when the weather turns chilly? Many crave a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Hot Chocolate is another favorite. At times I enjoy these too, but I can be picky about what I drink. While a Pumpkin Spice Muffin is undeniably delicious, the vegetal flavor of pumpkin sometimes puts me off in a beverage. Likewise, the rich sweetness of Hot Chocolate can feel more like a dessert than a thirst quencher.
When it comes right down to it I think my favorite drink to celebrate the changing season is warm apple cider. Fragrant and tangy, a pot of apple cider mulling in the kitchen fills the whole house with an inviting scent. The vibe is fresh, crisp and invigorating.
I love to put on a pot of Mulled Cider early in the day. As it warms the scent slowly drifts through the house quietly enhancing the seasonal atmosphere. This recipe, fragrant with citrus, cinnamon and cloves, smells delightful. Sweet and spicy, with a vibrant tang, it also tastes good and looks pretty served in a glass mug. It makes a wholesome beverage that is a nice treat to share with the family.
The Taste of Warm Apples with Citrus, Cinnamon and Cloves
If you are like me and find yourself baking as the weather gets cooler, you might also enjoy Mulled Cider with a plate of your favorite seasonal cookies. The crisp apple flavor is a great counterpoint to a fall assortment of Peanut Butter Cookies, Oatmeal Cookies and Cinnamon Coffee Crisps. The spicy holiday notes of cinnamon and cloves make it equally appealing with an assortment of Christmas Cookie. Cider makes a nice complement to crisp-chewy Chocolate Crinkles, tangy Thyme, Hazelnut and Lemon Cookies, sugar coated Russian Teacakes, sparkly Ginger Cookie Sticks, and creamy squares of Peanut Butter Fudge.
Simple to make ahead and set on a slow simmer, Mulled Cider is also great for parties. We put on a pot for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. A warm cup of spiced cider is also a nice way to welcome guests as they gather for a festive meal. Delicious on its own, Mulled Cider can also be spiked to make an adult beverage to toast the season. On the other hand it can be cut with tea for a milder and more refreshing drink to satisfy your thirst.
Enjoy!
Mulled Cider
Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings5
minutes2
hours2
hours5
minutesAutumn into winter, warm cider, fragrant with citrus, cinnamon and cloves, is the perfect beverage for welcoming the season.
Ingredients
2 quarts apple cider
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
1 tsp. whole cloves
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1 orange, sliced (unpeeled)
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a slow-cooking pot.
- Cover and heat on low for 2 to 5 hours or longer.
- Serve with a ladle from the pot.
Notes
- Recipe Source: From Crockery Cookery by Mable Hoffman.
