By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 6
40 cal · 240 min
Spiced Mulled Cider
Recipe GLPR3f40a3cc7b143f
A warming, aromatic beverage infused with whole spices including cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, coriander seed, and star anise. This traditional drink is gently heated to release the full flavor of the spices, creating a comforting, lightly sweet drink that is perfect for cool evenings. The optional brandy adds depth for those who prefer it.
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Ingredients
1 quart Apple cider
3 3-inch sticks Cinnamon sticks
5 Whole cloves
4 pods Cardamom pods
¼ teaspoon Coriander seed
½ piece Star anise
1 tablespoon Brandy (optional)
Raw sugar (to taste, optional)
Directions
Lightly crack the cardamom pods by pressing them until they just begin to split open. This releases the aromatic oils without damaging the flavor.
Pour the apple cider into a large pot or saucepan.
Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, cracked cardamom pods, coriander seed, and star anise to the cider.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Do not boil, as high heat can damage the delicate spice flavors.
Maintain a gentle simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, allowing the spices to slowly infuse their flavors into the cider.
If using brandy, add it near the end of the infusion and stir gently to combine.
Taste the mulled cider. If you prefer it slightly sweeter, stir in a small amount of raw sugar until dissolved.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a serving vessel, leaving the whole spices behind.
Serve the mulled cider warm in mugs. You may serve it immediately or keep it warm on low heat for up to 2 hours.
Comments
All ingredients are readily available at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or Walmart year-round, with no special stops needed. The cost runs roughly $3 to $4 per serving depending on cider quality and brandy choice, which is reasonable for a warm beverage suited to fall and winter entertaining. The stated 240 minutes is misleading: actual hands-on time is 10 minutes, but the recipe needs 3.5 to 4 hours of gentle simmering to develop flavor properly, so the timing reflects total time honestly enough, though a reader expecting a quick weeknight drink will be disappointed. This is a slow-simmer, low-attention drink that reheats beautifully and works well for gatherings, though it's more of a special-occasion sipper than an everyday recipe.
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