Warm yourself up on a chilly day with this easy New England mulled apple cider recipe. It is bursting with cozy spices and rich apple flavor and it's perfect for holiday gatherings or a comforting treat anytime!

Mulled cider in a cup being held by a person.

This recipe for cider is what I learned to make when I lived in New England and it is a favorite recipe we continue to make today.

This easy warm apple drink is a symbol of all the flavors of fall. It is full of warm fall spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and is so comforting.

An added bonus when making this warm cider is your home will smell wonderful with the apple and cinnamon scent filling it with a beautiful aroma. Once the temps drop, this is the drink you need to make!

Enjoy this cider any way you like but just make sure to make it!

What You Need

Cider

Apple Cider: Apple cider is different than apple juice. Make sure to look for cider which you can usually find in the produce section of grocery stores starting in the Fall months.

Mulling Spice Recipe

Cinnamon sticks: Using whole cinnamon sticks makes it easier to remove after the mulling.
Whole cloves. This adds such warmth.
Mandarin Orange peel: Mandarins are around at the same time as the cider and they are sweeter so I like to use these for this recipe. You can use naval oranges or any orange you have if ou cannot find them. Just the peel which has the oil of the orange.
Star anise. Not only is it pretty but this spice adds such a warming Fall note.
Any of your favorite Fall spices! Make this your own by adding in your favorite Fall spices like allspice or cardamom.

How to make mulled apple cider

Making this is so easy. It is just adding the ingredients into a pot. Here are the steps (full recipe below):

Pour apple cider into a pot: Pour your cider into a large pot over the stove. You can use your slow cooker as well. Make sure you are using store-bought apple cider (not apple juice).
Adding mulling spices: Here you are going to add your Fall spices to the pot. You will want to use whole spices and not powdered.
Warm: Cook it on low over your stovetop for about an hour and that is it!

Recipe Tip: You will start to see apple cider in your grocery stores (or at the apple orchards) around the start of the Fall season. If you have extra leftover from this recipe, you can make apple cider oatmeal or an apple cider martini with it so there is no waste!

Tips

Using the slow cooker: You can make this in the slow cooker and it comes out great. Just set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for 1-2 hours. Make sure to check it periodically to be sure it is not evaporating too much.
Do not use powdered spices: You want to be able to serve this drink without any bits in it. By using whole spices you can remove them before serving without it getting into your drink.
Make it your own: These are my favorite spices that are in the mulled cider recipe but you can definitely adjust this to suit your preference. This is your drink!
Serve this warm or hot: If you have young kids, make sure to serve this warm and not hot.
Do not leave this unattendend: Make sure to be home so you can check on the simmering pot of cider from time to time since it does evaporate and it could evaporate out completely if left all day.

Storing

This apple cider stores very well in the fridge after mulling it. I like to remove the mulling spices then store it in a large pitcher in the fridge covered for up to one week.

You can drink it cold straight from the fridge (really yummy!). You can also rewarm it for a few minutes on low on the stovetop or warm it for 30 seconds or so in the microwave in individual mugs.

More apple recipes for you!

Print Recipe

5 from 19 votes

Mulled Apple Cider (Easy New England Recipe)

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Total Time35

Servings: servings

Author: Melissa Oleary

Ingredients

1 gallon store bought apple cider not apple juice.
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoon whole cloves or to taste
1 orange peel The peel of the entire orange cut into strips
1 star anise whole
1 piece of cheese cloth You can omit this but just make sure to skim the spices out at the end before serving

Instructions

In a large stock pot add all of your apple cider and turn the heat to medium.
1 gallon store bought apple cider
Take your cheesecloth if using and wrap all of your spices (except orange peels) in it and tie it closed with some kitchen twine. If you do not have these things then just make sure you skim the spices out of the cider at the end of mulling.
2 cinnamon sticks, 2 tbsp whole cloves, 1 star anise whole, 1 piece of cheese cloth
Now add your spices and orange peel to your pot of cider
1 orange peel
Once your cider starts to show steam coming off the top, turn heat to low and simmer for at least 30 minutes. I like to keep it on the stove for a few hours to scent up the house but you will loose some of the cider with evaporation.
Once your cider has been cooking for 30 minutes or so, ladle out into mugs, and enjoy.

Notes

Mulled cider in the slow cooker

You can make this mulled apple cider in the slow cooker and it comes out great. Just set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for 1-2 hours. Make sure to check it periodically to be sure it is not evaporating too much.

Alcohol that goes with mulled cider

If you are looking to make a mulled cider with alcohol all you need to do is add the alcohol to the cider at the time of serving. Whiskey and rum are great additions

Nutrition