Hot Spiced Lemon Cider
This hot spiced lemon cider simmers apple cider with warming spices, then finishes with a generous hit of fresh lemon juice for a cozy, cold-weather drink ready in 20 minutes. This is the drink that makes your whole kitchen smell like a holiday market, minus the cost of a plane ticket. The lemon keeps the sweetness of the cider in check so it doesn’t turn into liquid candy. Warm up a mug alongside a slice of our British-style lemon drizzle cake.
Quick answer: Apple cider simmered with cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, then finished with a generous hit of fresh lemon juice. A cozy, cold-weather drink that makes the whole kitchen smell like a holiday market, ready in 20 minutes.
Instructions
Combine the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise if using in a saucepan.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes to let the spices infuse.
Remove from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and honey or maple syrup if using.
Strain out the whole spices if you like a clear cider, or leave them in for a rustic look.
Ladle into mugs, garnish each with a fresh lemon slice, and serve hot.
Questions people actually ask
Yes, simmer the cider and spices ahead, then reheat gently and stir in the fresh lemon juice right before serving.
Yes, combine everything except the lemon juice and honey in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours, then stir those in right before serving.
A few shakes of ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground cloves work in a pinch, though the flavor won't be quite as clean. Strain extra carefully if you use ground spices.
This version is written to be non-alcoholic, but a splash of bourbon or spiced rum is a common addition if you're serving it to an adult crowd.
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