Name: Homemade Spiced Apple Cider
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 gallon apple cider; 1/2 of an orange, sliced; 1 granny smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped; 1 1/2 Tablespoons allspice; 1 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon chunks; 1 1/2 Tablespoons cloves

Spiced apple cider is one of those things that just taste so much better homemade! With only four ingredients, this recipe could easily be made in an instant pot as well as just over the stove.

three glasses of spple cider on a concrete board with cinnamon sticks and a jar of honey

I'm sure almost everyone has memories of apple cider being made during the holidays. It's the one safe drink for kids during a party or it's a comforting glass after a long day.

I always remember my mom making this on cold Fall or Winter afternoons. Especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas! It would make the whole house smell of warm comforting spices with a little sweet from the apple.

After I got a little older, the wooden spoon was handed down to me. I've been making this cider for a while now and over the years, i've tweaked and changed the recipe until it has become almost everyone's favorite drink during the holidays!

three glasses of apple cider on a wood tray with honey and mulling spices

How to make spiced apple cider

This is possibly one of the easiest recipes you can make! The first thing you need to do is peel, core, and chop your apple. Followed by slicing your orange. Get this together with your cider and spices and you're ready to go!

cider, spices, a sliced orange, and a chopped apple on a concrete board

Dump all the ingredients into a 4 quart stock pot (or an instant pot) and turn on medium low heat!

ingredients for apple cider in a large pot

Let this cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally. The apples and oranges should be starting to break down at this point. This recipe is all about the taste and flavor so make sure to take a sip every once in a while and don't be afraid to add things!

I personally like to leave all my goodies in my cider as it cools, just make sure you strain before serving!

Is apple cider vegan?

Absolutely! In this recipe, I only use fruit and a few spices. That also means this delicious cider is vegetarian and gluten-free!

two glasses of cider on a concrete board with a jar of honey

Is apple cider alcoholic?

Nope! This cider is kid-friendly. Though, you can always add a splash of bourbon or rum to your mug if you want an added kick!

three glasses of apple cider on a wood board with a jar of honey and cinnamon sticks

Expert Tips:

If the cider isn't sweet enough for you, add a ¼ cup of brown sugar to the pot or add a few drops of honey (or your favorite sweetener) to your mug!
I like to use a Florida orange for this recipe purely because I prefer the flavor over other oranges but any will do!
This drink is non-alcoholic but you can add your choice of bourbon or rum to the pot or just a splash to your cup.
This cider will last about 7-10 days in the fridge.

When you make this Homemade Spiced Apple Cider recipe, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #MSDHospitality.