Favorite Hot Apple Cider
This Hot Apple Cider is spiced with the traditional flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg yet boasts a bright, citrus undertone...thanks to the addition of pineapple and lemon juices!
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I had actually planned this post for later in the month, but holy cow! The frigid cold! The ice! The snow! Admittedly, I live in Texas and the 19-degrees I saw on my rear view mirror this morning was at least on the positive side of zero. But I know that many across the country are enduring weather much worse. So even though I just shared a cool and healthy beverage recipe a couple of days ago, today I'm sharing a steamy drink that will warm you up from head to toe and make your whole house smell wonderful in the process...Hot Apple Cider!
This is my family's favorite apple cider, and it is a frequent indulgence around here from October through February. My boys, in particular, love it, but even my photo-bombing baby girl thinks it's pretty yummy.
It's great for serving at a party out of a handy-dandy crock pot.
And while it's fun to dress up this cider with clove-studded orange slices, nobody is going to complain if you choose to forgo the fancy and simply serve it straight-up and steaming in big mugs!
Now don't get me wrong...I love hot cocoa. And on occasion, we even enjoy a delicious hot drink featuring pumpkin around here. But apple cider can be a nice change of pace when you're craving something a little more refreshing, or at least as far as hot beverages go. In fact, that's probably my favorite aspect of this cider recipe.
The Secret Ingredient
Its flavor really pops thanks to a secret ingredient...pineapple juice!
So while a freezing day might make you wish you were on a tropical beach sipping a piña colada instead of hunkered down in the dead of winter downing apple cider, well, at least that undertone of pineapple flavor helps bridge the gap. 😉
Hot apple cider is a treat whether you're sitting by the fire, watching movies with the family, or the kids just need to warm up after playing in the snow. Whatever your occasion for drinking it, I hope this cider is a hit with your family this winter! Stay safe and warm, everyone!
More Yummy Beverages
- Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate {4 Ways!}
- Biscoff White Hot Chocolate
- Caramel Apple Cider
- Chai Tea Mix
- Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria
Favorite Hot Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 6 ½ cups apple juice
- 1 4-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened pineapple juice
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 medium orange, cut into ½-inch slices
- 50 to 60 whole cloves
- Additional cinnamon stick for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring apple juice and cinnamon stick to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the pineapple juice, honey, lemon juice, lemon peel, and nutmeg and bring to a boil once more. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick before serving.
- While cider is simmering, use a toothpick to poke holes along the rind of each orange slice (spaced approximately ½-inch apart), and insert a clove into each hole.
- Pour apple cider in a mug and serve hot with an orange slice garnish and an additional cinnamon stick, if you desire.
Notes
Nutrition
Adapted from Taste of Home Celebrations Cookbook.
Originally posted at A to Zebra Celebrations on December 11, 2013.
This looks so comforting and delicious right now, Samantha!! Thanks so much for linking to our Best Of The Weekend party! Pinning now and have a great week!! xo
Thanks so much for stopping by, Claire, and thanks for hosting the party each week. It's always a fun one! Hope you're having a wonderful week!
This sounds so good, and it would be great to serve when the kids have colds ( and we cut out dairy)! Thanks for the great idea! Dee 🙂
Thanks, Dee! We avoid dairy as well when the kids are congested...which, unfortunately, seems to be all winter long! Hope this cider is a hit with your family...I appreciate you stopping by!
I LOVE a good apple cider! We certainly need it this week in Chicago! 🙂
The cold has been just crazy across the country, Whitney, hasn't it?! I'm glad it's warming up a bit (at least by comparison). 😉 Hope you get to try this cider soon!
this looks sooooo good! I love the cloves on the orange!
Thanks so much, Cathy! It was fun to dress up this apple cider. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by, and I hope you're having a great week!
That looks so tasty, Samantha! I saw this over at Show & Tell and had to come see more. Beautiful photography!
Thank you so much, Robyn! I appreciate your kind words and I'm glad you hopped over. 🙂 Hope you have a great day!
Love all of the cloves! I feel like I should be over them since fall is over, but they're just so delicious!
I have to try out this recipe, it looks delicious!
Thanks so much, Graham! My kitchen definitely smelled clove-y after I finished studding those orange slices. 😉 Enjoy this cider, and I appreciate you stopping by!
Hi Samantha - oh, we absolutely love apple cider and this looks wonderful! It is totally freezing here today - about 5 degrees with crazy wind chill - and a cup of this sounds pretty perfect right now. Pinning! Have a happy and warm Tuesday and thank you for sharing!
I can't even imagine, Cindy! It is pretty darn cold here (for Texas)...I don't think I would venture outdoors (ever!) if it was 5-degrees or less. Brrrrr! Thanks so much for stopping by...and here's to happy spring thoughts! 😉
I've been wanting to make apple cider since the beginning of fall, but haven't gotten around to it. I'd love to try your version. Pineapple juice sounds like the perfect addition!
Thanks, Megan! I love pineapple juice anyway, but the flavor is not overwhelming in this cider...just enough to give it a pop. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it if you end up trying it...stay warm!