🍎 Spiced Apple Cider

Fresh apple juice, cinnamon, clove, star anise & orange — warm or iced

15 min
Serves 1
Warm & Spiced
Warm mug or tall glass over ice
0% ABV
Ingredients
  • 1 litre fresh-pressed apple juice
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 tsp allspice berries
  • Orange peel (2 strips)
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • Sliced orange & cinnamon sticks to garnish
Method
  1. 1
    SimmerCombine all ingredients in a saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat — do not boil.
  2. 2
    InfuseSimmer very gently for 10 minutes. The juice should be fragrant but not reduced.
  3. 3
    StrainStrain through a fine sieve.
  4. 4
    ServeServe warm in mugs for a winter drink. Or cool completely and serve over ice with a cinnamon stick for a summer version.

About This Drink

Apple cider (the non-alcoholic kind — fresh-pressed apple juice) has been drunk in Britain since Roman times. The spiced version mirrors the mulled wine that appears at every Christmas market from London to Munich. Without alcohol, it becomes the universally appealing drink that any table can share.

Bartender's Tips

Fresh-pressed apple juice (not from concentrate) makes a dramatic difference — the fresh version tastes alive where concentrated juice tastes flat. For a sharper version, add a splash of lemon juice and reduce the honey. For the German Weihnachtsmarkt version, add a vanilla pod and 2 cardamom pods to the simmer.

Origin
Source
Autumn staple at British and German restaurants; served at The Wolseley (London) and at Oktoberfest
Origin
United Kingdom / Germany
Difficulty
Easy · 15 min
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