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Cozy Spiced Apple Cider Fall Mocktail – Best Easy Recipe

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A warm, fragrant, and comforting spiced apple cider mocktail that comes together in under 10 minutes. Made with simple ingredients like apple cider, cinnamon, and citrus, it’s the perfect cozy drink for fall evenings and holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups apple cider (unfiltered is best)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (plus extra for garnish)
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 3 whole allspice berries
  • 1 whole star anise (optional)
  • 1 strip orange peel (about 2 inches long, no white pith)
  • 1 strip lemon peel (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional)
  • For garnish: cinnamon sticks, apple slices, star anise, whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the liquids and spices. Pour the 4 cups of apple cider into a medium saucepan. Add the 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, 3 allspice berries, and 1 whole star anise (if using). Drop in the orange peel strip and lemon peel strip. Do not add the vanilla extract yet.
  2. Heat gently, don’t boil. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. You should see small bubbles forming around the edges of the pot, but not a rolling boil. This takes about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Simmer and steep. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it gently bubble for 8-10 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more intense the spice flavor becomes.
  4. Taste and adjust. After 8 minutes, taste the cider. If you want more cinnamon, add another cinnamon stick and simmer 2 more minutes. Too sweet? Add a squeeze of lemon juice. Not sweet enough? Stir in 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey until dissolved.
  5. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Take the pot off the burner. Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  6. Strain and serve. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof measuring cup or directly over your mugs. Carefully pour the cider through the strainer to catch all the whole spices and citrus peels. Discard the solids. Divide the strained cider evenly among 4 mugs.
  7. Garnish and enjoy. Add a fresh cinnamon stick to each mug for stirring. Float a thin apple slice on top if desired. Drop a star anise into each mug for visual drama. If using whipped cream, add a generous dollop right before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the citrus peel—it adds brightness. Use whole spices instead of ground for a cleaner flavor. Simmer gently, do not boil. Add vanilla off heat to preserve its flavor. For a party, make in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours. Leftover cider can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiced apple cider, fall mocktail, warm apple cider, non-alcoholic drink, cozy drink, apple cider recipe, holiday drink

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