Spiced Candy Apple Cider with Cinnamon and Clove

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

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.

Warm, comforting apple cider infused with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a hint of orange zest — perfect for chilly autumn evenings. This American-inspired Halloween recipe, ready in about 25 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 6, 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: 20 min Serves 6 American cuisine 120 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 cups apple cider
3 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
1 tsp, finely grated orange zest
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 whole star anise
1-inch piece, sliced thin fresh ginger
1 cup, for garnish apple slices
1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large pot, pour 6 cups apple cider and add 3 cinnamon sticks, 8 whole cloves, 1 tsp finely grated orange zest, 1 whole star anise, and 1-inch thinly sliced fresh ginger.
Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice to balance sweetness and acidity.
Step 3: Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to infuse the spices.
Step 4: Strain the cider through a fine mesh sieve to remove the spices and zest.
Step 5: Serve warm in mugs garnished with fresh apple slices and a cinnamon stick if desired.