As cooler weather approaches, there's nothing quite like a warm, spiced drink to help you feel warmer inside. This spiked mulled apple cider is sure to give you the warm and fuzzies.

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Much as I love warmer weather, I am also pretty happy when it starts to get cooler. It seems to run in the family, as my elder son has already been asking to be able to have hot chocolate again.

I, too, like a warm drink in colder weather, like gluwein (mulled wine) or a warm cranberry cocktail. And, of course, mulled apple cider.

glass of spiked mulled apple cider slightly steamed up

When I lived in New York many years ago, my parents came to visit over the holidays. They hadn't visited before, so naturally we tried to pack in plenty of sightseeing.

However, some days were bitterly cold, and I distinctly remember warming up with a cup of warm apple cider in the cafe by the lake in Central Park. It was exactly what we all needed.

While that time we didn’t opt for a spiked version, I definitely enjoy it both ways. Spiked mulled apple cider makes such a comforting, simple fall/winter cocktail that’s perfect whether you are enjoying it yourself on a cold winter’s night, or sharing with others at a party.

It’s easy to scale the recipe up or down to meet your needs, and you can change the spirit you use to suit your tastes as well.

Spiked Mulled Apple Cider Recipe Tips

This isn’t a difficult drink to make, but here are a few tips:

don’t rush it – the flavors from the spices need time to evolve, so don't rush it.
use a few different whole spices rather than a ready-made blend. Whole spices save you getting bits of spice residue in your drink and each spice adds a different flavor which you can adjust to taste.
use a good apple juice as a base. This drink is all about the apple, so try to get an unfiltered apple cider/juice as a base. Try to avoid juice from concentrate, it’s just not the same.
spike it with a spirit that pairs well with apples such as brandy, apple brandy, rum, or spiced rum.

This spiked mulled apple cider is gently spiced, packed with apple flavor and just enough spirit (if you choose to use some) to give it that little kick. It's the perfect easy cocktail recipe to warm you through and through!

spiked mulled apple cider glasses from above

Looking for more seasonal drinks? Try these:

Cranberry whiskey sour
Persimmon apple cider mimosa
Cranberry sangria
"Falling for orange"- amaro pumpkin cocktail
Plus get more cocktail recipes in the archives

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Spiked mulled apple cider

This spiked mulled apple cider is wonderfully warming and perfect for a cold day. With a little kick, too, if you choose to go the spiked route!

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Total Time35

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 174kcal

Author: Caroline's Cooking

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Ingredients

4 cups apple cider / unfiltered apple juice
2 cinnamon sticks
1 star anise
4 whole cloves
4 strips orange peel
4 fl oz brandy or apple brandy, rum, spiced rum

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Put all of the ingredients except the rum in a small pan and warm over a low heat. Gently bring to almost a simmer and warm for approx 30 minutes without boiling.
Put 1 oz of brandy in the bottom of 4 glasses and top each up with the warm cider, straining off the spices and orange peel as you go. Serve warm.

Notes

Note - you can also prepare this in the slow cooker - instead of putting everything apart form the rum in a pot, place all in a slow cooker and warm on low for approximately 2 - 4 hours, as suits. Then serve as above, putting the brandy in the bottom of the glasses as you serve.

Nutrition

See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. In many locations, you can have wine, spirits and more delivered to your door with Drizly.

And if you're looking for more apple recipes, here are a few savory and sweet ideas:

Apple & Red Cabbage Slow-Cooker Sauerkraut by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck
Cheddar Chicken Tacos with Apple Salsa by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Chicken with Apple, Onion, and Cider Sauce by Karen's Kitchen Stories
Japanese Beef Curry (Kare Raisu) by Palatable Pastime
Chipotle Turkey, Apple, & Sweet Potato Chili by Savory Moments
Harvest Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Love and Confections

Baked Cinnamon Apples by The Anthony Kitchen
Apple Spice Poke Cake by Jonesin' for Taste
Salted Caramel Apple Cinnamon Turnovers by Daily Dish Recipes

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This spiked mulled apple cider is gently spiced, packed with apple flavor and just enough spirit (if you choose to use some) to give it that little kick. It's the perfect easy cocktail recipe to warm you through and through! #warmbeverage #apple

I first shared the recipe for spiked mulled cider on the Sunday Supper Movement site where I am a contributor.

Disclaimer: Thank you AppleWeek Sponsors: Swiss Diamond, Nordic Ware, Envy Apples, Imperial Sugar, The Spice House, Rodelle Vanilla, Flahavan’s Irish Oats and Nairn’s for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are my own.