3 Easy Apple Cider Recipes

Apple cider is a popular beverage once fall arrives, and it is enjoyed through much of the harvest calendar months. But there is much more you can do to enjoy the refreshing tartness of fresh apple cider. Recipes for mulled cider, apple cider stews, apple butter and more can be found all over the internet. I myself have tried several recipes using apple cider as one of the main ingredients, and with a few modifications and some experimentation, I've found some that I and my family have greatly enjoyed and now insist upon making every fall.

Mulled Cider Recipe
To start off simply, mulled cider is quick and easy to make, and is especially heartwarming and deliciously refreshing on chilly fall days and nights. Mulled cider is essentially apple cider simmered with various spices, usually, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, but there are many variations that also use orange zest, cardamom, allspice, and others.

The mulled cider I have come to rely on starts with a 1/2 gallon of apple cider. Simply pour the apple cider into a large saucepan and allow it to heat up. While the cider is being heated, prepare 3-5 sticks of cinnamon (or 2-3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon), 2 tablespoons of whole cloves (or 2 teaspoons of ground cloves), and a teaspoon of nutmeg. Add the spices to the apple cider in the saucepan and cover until simmering. Then remove the cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes more.

For some variations, I sometimes will add a small handful of blackberries, crushing them against the sides of the saucepan once they have been simmering for about 15 minutes. You can also add orange zest, cardamom, or brown sugar if you desire. Adults can add a cup of rum or a 1/2 cup of brandy to the pot as well if they so desire.

After simmering, drain the mulled cider through a fine mesh sieve and serve with a cinnamon stick for garnish, or a tiny sprinkle of nutmeg.

Hot Mulled Cider Sangria
This next recipe is a crowd-pleaser at parties and family functions. Perfect for a Halloween party or Thanksgiving celebration, be sure to make plenty, it tends to go rather fast, at least in my experience. (You can scale the ingredients up or down as necessary).

Fresh fall apples

Credit: sanja gjenero

Copyright: sanja gjenero