{"id":24319,"date":"2020-11-17T12:03:51","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T20:03:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nourishedkitchen.com\/?p=24319"},"modified":"2020-11-17T12:03:53","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T20:03:53","slug":"mulled-cider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nourishedkitchen.com\/mulled-cider\/","title":{"rendered":"Mulled Cider"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spiked with citrus and fragrant with cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, this mulled cider recipe<\/strong> is a cinch to make and always a favorite winter drink. It's also a flexible recipe, and you can make this version on your stove or even in your slow cooker or Instant Pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mulled<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hot mulled cider is unsweetened, unfiltered apple juice that's infused with spices and served during the cold months. It's similar to wassail<\/a>, to which it's related; however, unlike wassail, mulled apple cider is typically nonalcoholic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What's in it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At its simplest, mulled cider contains unfiltered apple juice and mulling spices such as cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Nineteenth-century recipes often include beaten eggs as well as sugar in addition to spices such as cinnamon and cloves (1,2). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this version, I also include sliced oranges which lend sweetness and help amplify the cider's tart top notes as well as cardamom which blends beautifully with apple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are mulling spices?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mulling spices are fragrant spices added to hot wintertime drinks such as wassail, cider, and mulled wine<\/a>. They usually include cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg, but the mix can also include peppercorns, coriander, anise, cardamom, and similar spices. These spices generally have a warming energy and support good digestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of using ground spices, I recommend using them whole (if you can find them) as whole spices tend to be richer in volatile oils than the ground spices you find in the grocery store. That means bigger flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this version, I've used cinnamon, allspice, cloves, star anise, and cardamom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cinnamon sticks <\/strong>have a toasty, warm energy and a sweet, spicy aroma. It also supports good digestion and blood sugar balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allspice<\/strong> has a mellow spice that encompasses other similar flavors - as though it's a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cloves<\/strong> are the dried buds of an evergreen tree, and they have a potent, sweet, and spicy flavor. A little goes a long way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Star anise<\/strong> is rich in antiviral compounds and helps support both digestion and the immune system. It has a floral note coupled with an anise-like sweetness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardamom<\/strong> tastes vaguely of citrus, mint, and fennel. Like other spices you use for mulled cider, it supports good digestion.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Tips for good cider<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It takes minimal effort to make mulled cider, and the results are vibrantly delicious - sweet, tart, and steeped with deep and resonant spice. It's also a recipe that has a fair amount of room for both error and variation. But, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure it comes out every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n