This easy Hot Apple Cider Recipe is an easy to make cold weather treat, it’s like Christmas in a cup. And very easy to make! It’s like a mulled cider, with apple juice steeped in spices. I love apple and cinnamon recipes, whether it’s American Apple Pie or my easy Apple Turnovers, all are fall favorites!
Is Hot Apple Cider Alcoholic?
Moving to Australia, the concept of Apple Cider here is different from the American Apple Cider. Like the Brits, Aussies usually drink Apple Cider as a cold alcoholic drink, made from apples. The concept of a non-alcoholic American style Hot Apple Cider recipe made from juice doesn’t exist here. I usually freak people out when I tell them I am giving my children Apple Cider!
When it gets cold here, drinking Hot Cider reminds me of the Thanksgiving or Christmas season. We used to buy instant hot cider mix at Costco, but as it doesn’t exist here in Australia, so I’ve had to learn how to make it myself. It’s so easy, I wonder why I bought the processed stuff before.
You can make a bouquet garni for the spices to make it easier to take the spices out, but I just use a cheesecloth and strain the Hot Apple Cider. For a flavor variation, sometimes I use ¾ teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice instead of the cinnamon and nutmeg.
If you want an alcoholic Hot Apple Cider, you can add some rum at the very end just before serving, or make it with an alcoholic cider. Some people like adding a little brown sugar, or even caramel sauce to the recipe, but I think Apple juice is usually sweet enough.
So easy to make, and healthier than store bought with unpronounceable ingredients – Easy Hot Apple Cider. Warms me from the inside out. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

Hot Apple Cider
Hot Spiced Apple Cider - the aroma fills your whole house with this classic American spiced drink, especially popular during Thanksgiving and Christmas. This non-alcoholic mulled apple cider recipe is perfect for a cold chilly night, made with naturally cloudy apple juice
Ingredients
- 2 litres of cloudy apple juice
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 6 cloves
Instructions
-
In a saucepan, bring all the ingredients to a boil, reduce and simmer for about ten minutes.
-
Strain the spices before serving. Enjoy
Recipe Notes
Alternate versions: use ¾ teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice instead of cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also can add a slice orange to the pot for a citrus twist. Optional: add some rum before serving.
Good to learn how to make apple cider, especially a hot one.
Just in time for the holidays ????
This sounds amazing! I’m a Brit living in Mallorca and they have no idea about cider (let alone hot apple cider!) and I’m getting serious withdrawal symptoms 🙁
Thanks for checking it out Emily! Hope you get a chance to make some! ????
Didn’t realise you lived in the US before Australia. For how long? And where in Russian are you from originally?
I was born and raised in Canada to Russian parents but have spent lots of time in the US. Lived near Vancouver BC
Where near BC? I grew up in Anacortes!
Hey! Grew up in the Okanagan Valley. 😊