Cozy Spiced Apple Cider

The mornings are turning crisp here in Ohio! I love this time of the year! Autumn is definitely my favorite season! How about you? What’s your favorite season? I love everything about September, October, and November! The cozy sweaters, fuzzy blankets, burning candles, crisp air, the crunch of dry leaves, all the pumpkin treats, the way the house smells of spices after an afternoon baking session! And there is nothing like wrapping your hands around a steaming hot cup of Cozy Spiced Apple Cider! It’s a hug in a mug! We drink gallons of this cider in our house from now until just after Thanksgiving! It’s tangy, spicy, and warming! Pop a batch of this on the stovetop and in an hour you’ll have a batch ready to enjoy!

Here’s what you’ll need for the recipe!

• One quart of fresh apple cider
• fresh ginger root
• a few peppercorns and whole cloves
• two cinnamon sticks
• a couple of slices of orange and lemon

You may be scratching your head at the addition of peppercorns. Trust me! It’s fantastic! It adds a wisp of smoke that brings the sweetness of this drink down just a notch. It’s just enough to add a hint of flavor that anyone you serve it to will ask “What’s in your cider? It’s delicious!”

Cozy Spiced Apple Cider tastes like apple pie in a mug! Especially when you serve it hot! On Instagram, I asked the question, “Do you like your cider served hot or cold?” The responses were split pretty evenly between the hot and cold lovers. One unanimous thing was that a shot of bourbon is always a welcome addition! We bought a fantastic bottle of Redwood Empire a few weeks ago. If you are looking for a new one to try this fall, give it a try! It’s terrific! It’s not sweet. It has hints of black pepper, caramel, and vanilla, which pair beautifully with this cider recipe! Side Note: Redwood Empire does not sponsor me! I love to share new finds with my friends, that’s all!

Don’t skip the fresh citrus slices!

If you are short on an orange or lemon, use a couple of additional slices of whichever citrus you do have. The citrus perks up the rich apple flavor and keeps the flavors balanced!

When preparing the fresh ginger, there is no need to peel it before slicing and adding it. Scrub the root with a vegetable brush under cold running water, and you are good to go! And, if you are like me and like a spicy drink, don’t hesitate to add a few more slices of ginger to make it a belly warmer! Ginger is one of my favorite spices! Not only does it taste great, but it’s also super healthy for us! It fights infections, regulates blood sugar, relieves muscle pain, and more! Drink up, my friends!

I remember the first time I had my first drink of cider! It was after an especially cold night of trick-or-treating! I was in love after my first sip! Do you remember the first time you tried cider?

If you are going apple picking this year, pick up a gallon or two of cider from the orchard and whip up a batch of Cozy Spiced Apple Cider! It keeps in the fridge for several days! It’s perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up or to replace the water in your favorite oatmeal recipe!

Looking for more fall treats?

Brown Butter & Cinnamon Latte is irresistable! And a bowl of Pumpkin Spice Granola will start your morning off right!

Or try, Apple Spice Streusel Muffins and Gingersnap Streusel Pumpkin Scones!

Print