There’s nothing quite like the sweet and spicy smell of homemade spiced apple cider filling your home in the fall. And it tastes just as good as it smells. This version is quick & easy, made with accessible ingredients, and has no added sugar, allowing the natural sweetness of the apples to shine. OH yes!
It’s a crowd-pleasing drink perfect for holiday entertaining, chilly days, and celebrating apple season. Did we mention it’s SO easy?! Just 4 ingredients, 1 pot, and 20 minutes required! Let us show you how it’s done!
How to Make Spiced Apple Cider
This EASY spiced apple cider begins with your choice of apple juice or cold-pressed apple cider. While apple juice is easier to find, it usually doesn’t have the same rich apple flavor you’ll find with cider. But there’s a work-around: Choose a high-quality brand of apple juice made from whole apples or with apple purée in the ingredient list. Voilà, problem solved!
When you’re ready to turn it into spiced cider, simply add the juice or cider to a saucepan with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel. That’s it. No added sugar here because apples are a sweet gift from nature all on their own!
Simmer the mixture to allow the spices to infuse into the liquid, then prepare for a house filled with sweet fall vibes and aroma!
We hope you LOVE this spiced apple cider! It’s:
Fragrant
Warming
Subtly spiced
Easy to make
Naturally sweet
& SO comforting!
It’s perfect for chilly days, celebrating fall, and serving at holiday gatherings. Pair it with our Apple Cider Baked Donuts (V + GF), and you’ll be living your best life!
More Cozy Beverages for Fall
- Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Apple Cider Rooibos Hot Toddy
- Easy Masala Chai Recipe
- 5-Minute Vegan Golden Milk
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Hot Spiced Apple Cider (No Added Sugar)
Ingredients
- 1 quart unsweetened apple juice* or cider
- 3 (3-inch each) cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole cloves (or sub 1 tiny pinch ground cloves)
- 2 (3-inch) strips orange peel (organic recommended // orange part only — the white pith will add bitterness)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large saucepan or pot and bring to medium-high heat. Once simmering, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Serve hot on its own or add a dash of bourbon to make it a boozy hot toddy. For entertaining, you can keep the cider warm in a slow cooker or on the lowest setting on the stovetop.
- Store cooled leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or frozen in an ice cube tray to keep for longer. Reheat on the stovetop.
Video
Notes
*Loosely adapted from our cookbook and the lovely Grandbaby Cakes.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.
Karen says
I made this with apple cider, the kind that doesn’t need refrigeration. It was awesome! I let it cook much longer than 15 minutes. By the time I tasted it, I think it had simmered for 1.5 hours.
Yay! Thank you for sharing your experience, Karen! xo
Diana says
Hello, if you want to quadruple this recipe, would you use eight cinnamon sticks and 8 cloves. That seems like a lot.
Thank you
Hi Diana, that does seem like a lot! We haven’t tried quadrupling this recipe, but think starting with half that amount should work. If it needs more flavor after that, you can add additional spices and let it sit for 10-15 minutes longer. Hope that helps!
Karen says
I quadrupled it and quadrupled all the ingredients. It was perfect.
Sarah says
Can I use Cider instead of apple juice and still get something similarly tasty?
Yes! Cider is extra tasty :)
Amy says
What brand of cold-pressed cider do you recommend?
Hi Amy, we’ve only used local brands and can’t remember the names! But almost any should work wonderfully. Enjoy!
Dana Brown says
How can I upload one of your wonderful recipes and either text or email the recipe to myself? There is no forwarding ability on your site.
Hi Dana, in the recipe box, you can use the print function and save it as a PDF, then add that to an email. Or you could also copy and paste the link into an email or text. Hope that helps!
Kristen says
Delicious (as always) and very easy! So much better than store bought.
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Kristen. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Kristen says
Do you think the cinnamon sticks could be used a couple of times?
Yes! They will lose a little flavor with each use though.
Erika says
Can I make my own apple juice through my juicer? Have tons of apples and need to use before they spoil…
Definitely!