Iced Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider
A chilled spiced apple cider with warming cinnamon and clove notes, perfect for a crisp, refreshing drink. This recipe, ready in about 15 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 110 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.
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 4, for garnish lemon slices
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups apple cider, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, 1 tsp orange zest, and 2 tbsp brown sugar; bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Step 2: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the cider mixture to cool to room temperature, then strain out the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and zest.
- Step 3: Refrigerate the strained cider until cold, about 2 hours.
- Step 4: To serve, fill glasses with 1/2 cup ice cubes and pour 1 cup of chilled spiced cider over the ice; garnish each glass with a lemon slice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Iced Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Iced Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider?
Refrigerate any leftover iced cinnamon-spiced apple cider in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Iced Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Iced Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Iced Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
