Winter-Spiced Apple Cider Simmer

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 drafted and published.

A warm and fragrant apple cider simmer infused with cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest, perfect for cozy winter evenings. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 20 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: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, pour 4 cups apple cider and add 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, 1 tsp orange zest, 1 whole star anise, and 2 tbsp brown sugar.
  2. Step 2: Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes until the spices infuse and the cider is fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Strain the cider to remove spices and serve warm in mugs, optionally garnished with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.

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