Many apple cider recipes add extra sugar and end up too sweet for my taste. This Homemade Hot Apple Cider balances natural apple sweetness by diluting apple juice with water, resulting in a lighter, more refreshing drink. Stretching the juice with water also makes the recipe more economical, perfect for serving a few guests or enjoying multiple cups yourself.
I made this recently during a cold snap and the warming spices — cinnamon and cloves — made it exactly what I wanted: cozy, comforting, and fragrant. It’s simple to prepare and relies on whole spices and an orange for fresh citrus notes.
Homemade Hot Apple Cider
4
Ingredients
- 1 quart apple juice
- 2 cups water
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 orange, sliced (leave skin on)
Instructions
-
In a large pot, combine the apple juice, water, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and the sliced orange. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
-
Reduce the heat and simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow the spices and orange to infuse the liquid. For a stronger spice flavor, simmer longer.
-
Remove from heat and serve warm. You can strain out the spices and orange slices or ladle the cider with them for a rustic presentation.
5 mins
25 mins
30 mins
Equipment
Here’s a small poem my son was working on over the weekend. I loved its warm, nostalgic tone and wanted to share it here:
I am from an old house
From a house standing tall among maple trees
From a collage of shapes against the sky
From a house smelling of cookies
Always cozy and warm
He also made a charming drawing to go with the poem; the illustration felt even more childlike and whimsical than the words. We spent a cozy weekend together, and later that night we baked holiday cookies from my cookbook. It’s easy to pair a simple activity like baking with a cup of hot cider for a relaxed evening at home.
My cookbook, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook, has received positive attention and has been featured in several gift guides. I’m grateful for thoughtful reviews and recommendations that help readers discover reliable gluten-free recipes and baking ideas. If you try this cider, it pairs beautifully with cookies, muffins, or any light, spiced sweet.