Ina Garten’s Cozy Hot Spiced Apple Cider Recipe for Fall

Hot spiced apple cider transforms ordinary autumn moments into magical sensory experiences that warm your soul.

This comforting beverage captures the essence of crisp seasonal celebrations with its rich, aromatic profile.

Fragrant spices dance through the liquid, creating a symphony of warming flavors that embrace your senses.

Complex layers of sweetness and subtle heat intertwine, promising a delightful drink that feels like a welcoming hug.

Sophisticated yet simple, this classic recipe elevates traditional cider into an elegant beverage that connects memories and moments.

Carefully selected ingredients blend harmoniously, releasing deep, complex notes that evoke nostalgic feelings of comfort and joy.

Prepare to be transported by a single sip that promises pure, soul-nourishing delight: get ready to indulge.

Why You’ll Crave Hot Spiced Apple Cider All Season

• Warm Winter Comfort: Dive into a cozy mug of spiced apple cider that wraps you in a blanket of comforting warmth, perfect for chilly evenings and festive gatherings.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with aromatic whole spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, this recipe transforms ordinary apple cider into a complex, richly layered beverage that dances on your taste buds.
• Easy Elegant Entertaining: Whip up this impressive drink in just 10 minutes, creating a sophisticated beverage that looks and tastes like you've spent hours crafting the perfect winter cocktail, with minimal effort and maximum impact.
• Versatile Beverage Delight: Enjoy as a non-alcoholic treat for all ages or spike with bourbon for an adult version, making it a crowd-pleasing option for holiday parties, family gatherings, or quiet nights by the fire.

The Ingredients You Need for Hot Spiced Apple Cider

• Apple Cider: A sweet, comforting autumn drink that forms the heart of this warming beverage.
• Navel Orange: Provides fresh citrus notes and a beautiful garnish with its zesty peel and bright slices.

• Cinnamon Stick: Adds warm, sweet aromatics and a classic winter flavor to the cider.
• Whole Peppercorns, Whole Dried Cloves, Star Anise: Create a complex, deep spice profile with subtle warmth and depth.

• Red Apple: Fresh apple slices add a crisp texture and visual appeal to the drink.
• Bourbon: An optional adult version that brings a rich, smooth warmth to the cider.
• Additional Cinnamon Stick: Serves as both a decorative and functional stirring tool.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Cozy Apple Cider

Step 1: Gather Your Warming Ingredients

Collect fresh apple cider, whole peppercorns, cinnamon stick, dried cloves, and star anise in your kitchen. You’ll also need a navel orange and a crisp red apple for delightful garnishes.

Step 2: Create Spice Blend

• Apple cider
• Whole peppercorns
• Cinnamon stick
• Dried cloves
• Star anise

Step 3: Zest The Orange

Use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove a long strip of orange peel, adding it directly into the saucepan.

Step 4: Brew The Aromatic Mixture

Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let the spices simmer softly for 5 minutes, releasing their rich flavors.

Step 5: Strain The Liquid Gold

Remove the saucepan from heat and strain the cider into a large measuring jug, discarding the used spices and orange peel.

Step 6: Prepare Beautiful Garnishes

Slice the remaining orange into delicate half-rounds. Core and slice the red apple into matching thin pieces.

Step 7: Serve With Festive Flair

• Orange slice
• Apple slice
• Cinnamon stick for stirring

Enjoy your cozy, aromatic beverage!

Tips for the Most Fragrant Cider Brew

• Pick Prime Cider: Select fresh, locally pressed apple cider for maximum flavor depth and natural sweetness.
• Master Gentle Simmering: Keep the heat low after initial boiling to preserve delicate spice nuances and prevent flavor loss.
• Strain Like a Pro: Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove spices smoothly, ensuring a silky-smooth drinking experience.
• Balance Sweet Levels: Customize the drink's sweetness by adding a touch of honey or fresh lemon juice to match your taste preferences.
• Create Beautiful Garnish: Elevate the presentation with fresh orange and apple slices, adding an elegant and aromatic finishing touch to each glass.

How to Store Apple Cider Without Losing Spice

• Freeze: Seal the cider in freezer-safe containers with extra space for liquid expansion. Lock in the warm, spicy flavors for up to 3 months, creating a delightful winter treat you can enjoy anytime. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, preserving the drink's rich taste and aromatic spices.
• Refrigerate: Transfer the cooled cider to an airtight container, keeping it fresh and ready to enjoy for 4 days. Seal tightly to maintain the vibrant blend of apple and seasonal spices, preventing flavor loss or absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a microwave-safe mug, heating for 1-2 minutes and stirring midway to distribute heat evenly.

Flavor Variations for Warm Spiced Sips

• Spiced Pear Cider Blend: Swap apple cider with pear juice, keeping the same warming spices for a subtle fruity transformation that highlights delicate pear sweetness.
• Mulled Cranberry Splash: Replace apple cider with cranberry juice for a tart, vibrant version that adds a festive red color and bright winter flavor profile.
• Slow Cooker Comfort Brew: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker, allowing spices to infuse gently over 2-3 hours on low heat, creating a hands-off method for developing deeper, richer flavors.
• Non-Alcoholic Citrus Punch: Add fresh lemon and lime slices alongside orange, incorporating additional citrus zest to enhance the aromatic complexity without bourbon for a family-friendly option.

Apple Cider Wrap-Up With a Cozy Twist

Warm apple cider emerges as pure comfort in liquid form, celebrating classic autumn flavors with Ina Garten’s signature elegance.

Fragrant spices dance through this simple yet sophisticated beverage, creating an instant connection to seasonal memories.

Homemade cider transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences, inviting friends and family to gather around steaming mugs.

Sophisticated palates will appreciate subtle complexity from peppercorns, star anise, and orange peel.

Bourbon adds optional depth for adult gatherings, turning this recipe into a versatile crowd-pleaser.

Passionate cooks can elevate their hosting game with this effortless recipe that promises delightful warmth in every sip – you’ll want to share this recipe, like its post, and comment with your spiced cider adventures.

Ina Garten Hot Spiced Apple Cider Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s hot spiced apple cider brings warmth and comfort to chilly autumn gatherings. Fragrant cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest mingle with rich apple juice, creating a luxurious seasonal beverage perfect for welcoming friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 960 milliliters (4 cups) fresh apple cider
• 1 large navel orange
• 1 crisp red apple

Spices and Aromatics:

• 6 to 7 cinnamon sticks (5 to 7.5 centimeters / 2 to 3 inches)
• 4 whole black peppercorns
• 3 whole dried cloves
• 1 whole star anise

Optional Addition:

• 60 milliliters (2 tablespoons) good bourbon, such as Maker’s Mark

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Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, merge apple cider (960 milliliters), whole peppercorns, cinnamon stick, dried cloves, and star anise, creating a fragrant spice-infused base.
2. Extract a lengthy strip of orange peel (2.5 centimeters by 10 centimeters or 1×4 inches) using a vegetable peeler, carefully adding it to the liquid mixture.
3. Gradually elevate the temperature until the liquid reaches a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to generate a gentle, aromatic simmer for approximately 5 minutes.
4. Carefully remove the saucepan from heat source and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring container, ensuring complete removal of solid spices and orange peel.
5. Prepare garnish components by slicing the remaining orange into delicate half-rounds approximately 0.5 centimeters (¼-inch) thick, and similarly process the red apple into complementary half-moon shapes.
6. Select heatproof mugs or glasses as serving vessels, pouring the warm, spiced cider with precision.
7. For an optional adult version, incorporate bourbon (60 milliliters) into each individual serving.
8. Artfully garnish each mug with an orange slice, an apple slice, and a cinnamon stick, transforming the beverage into a visually appealing and aromatic experience.

Notes

• Elevate your cider’s depth by selecting freshly pressed apple cider with rich, complex apple notes from local orchards or farmers markets.
• Gentle simmering transforms spices, releasing their aromatic essence without overwhelming the delicate cider base, creating a balanced and nuanced beverage.
• Precise straining ensures a smooth, refined drink by carefully removing whole spices, preventing unexpected texture disruptions in each comforting sip.
• Personalize sweetness levels by experimenting with honey, maple syrup, or a splash of fresh lemon juice to complement the cider’s natural flavor profile.
• Thoughtful garnishing adds visual appeal and subtle flavor complexity with crisp apple slices, fragrant cinnamon sticks, or bright orange wedges.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Drinks, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (serves 4)
• Calories: 93
• Sugar: 13.8 g
• Sodium: 3 mg
• Fat: 0.2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.05 g
• Carbohydrates: 17.85 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 0.45 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg