Hot Spiked Mulled Cider Orange (Print)

Warming cider with orange, spices, and spirit, perfect for cozy evenings or celebrations.

# Ingredients:

→ Cider Base

01 - 1.5 liters (6 cups) apple cider
02 - 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
03 - 1 lemon, sliced into rounds

→ Spices and Flavorings

04 - 10 whole cloves
05 - 3 cinnamon sticks
06 - 3 star anise pods
07 - 8 whole allspice berries
08 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
09 - 2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

→ Spirits

11 - 180–240 ml (3/4–1 cup) dark rum, bourbon, or apple brandy

→ Garnish

12 - Extra orange slices
13 - Cinnamon sticks

# Directions:

01 - In a large saucepan, combine apple cider, orange slices, lemon slices, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, allspice berries, sliced ginger, honey or maple syrup, and grated nutmeg.
02 - Heat the combined ingredients over medium heat until steaming but not boiling, approximately 15–20 minutes. Stir periodically to ensure even heating and infusion.
03 - Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to steep for an additional 5–10 minutes. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or maple syrup if desired.
04 - Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all solid spices and fruit segments.
05 - Stir the selected dark rum, bourbon, or apple brandy into the strained cider. Adjust the quantity to your preference.
06 - Ladle the hot mulled cider into mugs or heatproof glasses. Garnish each serving with fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks before presenting.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Quick preparation with big flavor payoff
  • Uses simple pantry spices for maximum impact
  • Adaptable to alcoholic or non-alcoholic preferences
  • Perfect for both intimate evenings and holiday gatherings
02 -
  • Perfect for batch preparation hours before serving
  • Contains warming spices known for digestive benefits
  • Can be kept warm in a slow cooker for gatherings
  • Alcohol content can be customized to preference
03 -
  • Toast your whole spices in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before adding them to intensify their flavors. The fragrance will tell you when they're ready.
  • Consider creating spice sachets using cheesecloth and kitchen twine for easier removal after steeping.
  • When serving for a crowd, prepare double or triple batches of the base mixture and keep warm in a slow cooker set to the lowest setting, adding fresh garnishes to each serving.

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