Holy Moly, this warm, cozy, fragrant and Hot Spiced Apple Cider is this Autumn’s go-to drink! Made with rich apple cider, fresh fruit and an assortment of earthy spices, this cider is well-balanced and oh-so comforting!

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Three mugs of spiced cider with whipped cream and caramel sauce surrounded by a coral napkin

Each year, without fail, my extended family and I make it a point to take a mini road trip. We pack our snacks, queue up the old-school jams and hit the road in search of our Fall favorites: apples, hayrides, pumpkin donuts and most importantly, hot apple cider.

I love milling around the apple orchard, hot spiced apple cider in one hand and a warm doughnut in the other. The crisp air and overflowing bags of juicy apples seem to feed the soul and make for an absolute perfect day. When all is said and done, we lug home crates of apples (for pies and cobblers of course) and we never forget the gallons of rich, sweet cider.

Table of Contents

Perks and Highlights of the Spiced Best Apple Cider

Cuisine Inspiration: American Autumnal Classics

Primary Cooking Method: Simmering Magic

Dietary Info: Non-Alcoholic, Vegan-Friendly, Gluten-Free

Key Flavor: Sweet Apple with a Spicy Kick

Skill Level: Easy Peasy Apple Squeezy

Special Perks:

Comfort in a Cup: This isn’t just apple cider; it’s like a warm hug on a chilly day, infused with the essence of fall. Similar to my Hot Buttered Rum, it soothes the soul.

Health Kick: Packed with the natural goodness of apples and the healing spice of cinnamon, it’s a tasty way to boost your immune system during the colder months.

Make it Your Own: This recipe is fab as-is, but there’s room for creativity! Want to add a splash of caramel or a hint of pear? Go for it!

House Aroma: Forget scented candles; simmering this spiced apple cider will have your whole home smelling like a straight-up autumn wonderland.

Party Favorite: Hosting a fall gathering? This cider is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for sipping around a bonfire or post-Thanksgiving dinner.

An overhead of three mugs of apple cider with cinnamon sticks and orange slices

Each gallon of liquid gold is precious and destined for greater, tastier use! Spiced Apple Cider is everything you could want in a Fall beverage: fruity, warm, spicy and all-around delightful. Each sip travels down to the belly, soothing from the inside out. Sooooo good!

Let’s share a mug or two, shall we?

An overhead of a crockpot filled with apple cider, oranges, apples, lemons, cinnamon and nutmeg

Ingredients

There are two simple steps to this recipe: dumping the ingredients in a crockpot and turning it on high. In a few short hours you’ll be ladling out fresh, hot mugs of sweet-spicy cider to friends and foes alike. It’s that good! And did I mention the smell? It fills your home and wraps you in a warm blanket of deliciously scented heaven.

Apple Cider – cider offers a crisp, sweet taste that pairs perfectly with cool air and changing leaves. Unlike store-bought apple juice, cider is rich, tart and offers a more balanced sweetness. It’s perfect for hot or cold beverages, baking or just on its own!
Apple (slices)– I like to bump up the apple flavor by adding fresh slices of apple. Try a contrasting flavor like a green or golden delicious apple!
Lemon & Orange – both add a tart, citrusy element that levels out sweetness while adding a bit of complexity. The bright colors of their rinds are also visually stunning.
Cinnamon (sticks & ground)– when immersed in liquid, cinnamon sticks impart a deeper, earthier flavor that can’t be imitated with its ground counterpart. Both work together to create a rich, aromatic flavor profile.
Nutmeg– just a couple pinches adds a pungent kick and a warm, slightly sweet taste.
Whole Cloves– cloves have a bitter, astringent flavor that is quite intense. The flavor is almost “hot”. It plays wonderfully with all the other strong, woodsy flavors.
Star Anise– anise is a bit licorice-like: sweet, sour, bitter and salty. It helps to create balance and aroma.

Cider in three mugs with caramel sauce drizzled on top

How to Make Spiced Apple Cider

Crock Pot Alchemy: Kick it off by pourin’ apple cider into your 5-quart crock pot. Low heat is our friend here.
Spice, Spice Baby: Toss in the warmth—cinnamon, nutmeg—and don’t hold back now! Slide in those lemon and orange slices, apple slices, and the stars of the show—cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise.
Patience is Fruity: Let it all get to know each other in there for about 3-4 hours. The wait? Worth it. The aroma? Heartwarming.
Serve it Up: Ladle your liquid gold into glasses. Now, here’s where you can go wild. Whipped cream? Pile it on. Caramel? Drizzle away.
Enjoy: Sip back and relax, knowing you’ve just crafted the essence of fall in a cup.

TIP: I prefer to slowly simmer this cider in a crockpot to develop flavor (and make for a hands-free affair). If you don’t have a crockpot on hand, use a large pot and simmer over medium-low heat for about an hour.

Storage

You can also serve chilled by removing the fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise pieces after it’s cooked and storing the punch in the fridge overnight. NOTE: You can add water to the punch if it’s too sweet for your taste.

Spike it!

Some days are harder than others y’all and, on those days, Mama needs a little extra juice. I love adding a bit of whiskey or bourbon (whatever I have on hand) to this spiced apple cider recipe! The added warmth not only pairs beautifully with the earthy spices but it also acts as a digestive aid. Win, win.

TIP: Start with ½ an ounce of liquor per 8oz glass of cider. Take a taste then adjust based on your preference.

Caramel sauce in the background with three spiced apple cider mugs ready to serve

Favorite Fall Apple Recipes

If you’re not making the most of Autumn’s best natural candy, you’re making a mistake. Crunchy, juicy and exceptionally sweet, apples make for the absolute best breakfasts, desserts, salads and just about anything else you can think of!

Take a chance and try out one of my favorite Fall apple recipes: