Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Apple Cider

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A cozy warm drink blending fresh apple cider with cinnamon sticks and cloves, perfect for chilly holiday evenings. This American-inspired Christmas recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 30 minutes, brings together apple cider, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large saucepan, pour 4 cups apple cider and add 3 whole cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, 1 large strip of orange peel, and 1 whole star anise if using.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar and heat over medium heat until the mixture just begins to simmer, about 8 minutes, then reduce heat to low and let steep for 15 minutes with the lid on to infuse flavors.
  3. Step 3: Remove the cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel, and star anise with a slotted spoon, then ladle the hot cider into mugs and serve warm.

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