Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider

Mull over this.

Nothing says, “Maybe winter isn’t totally bleak after all!” like warm mulled apple cider simmering on the stove, perfuming the air with the cozy smell of cloves, cinnamon, and other spices. And when one simple ingredient can take cider from brown to beautiful, even better. Mulled cranberry apple cider tastes sweet, slightly tart, and looks absolutely gorgeous. Enter fresh cranberries.

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Why This Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider Is So Good

Just a small handful of fresh cranberries, which pop festively while cooking, turns the apple cider a gorgeous pink color. Simmered together with cinnamon, bay leaf, ginger, orange, and cloves, you will be serving up the best mulled apple cider — ever — in less than 15 minutes. You can also add a splash of liquor like bourbon, scotch, or rum if you like.

Strictly speaking, you can make a good mulled cider with little more than oranges and cinnamon. But using the additional ingredients like cloves and bay (which, frankly, is just as easy) makes something truly fabulous.

This recipe makes about four to six mugs of cider, and is easily doubled. Use good-quality cider, and have fun serving this up all autumn and winter long — for a group or just for yourself.

Do you like mulled apple cider? What is your favorite fall and winter drink?

Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider

Cozy and spice-filled cider with a pink punch.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Course: beverage

Cuisine: American

Keywords:: apple, apple cider, cider, holiday

Servings: 4 to 6

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Ingredients 

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• 2 quarts good-quality apple cider
• 1/2 orange, sliced with rind
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 whole cloves
• 1/8 cup fresh cranberries, plus a few more for garnishes
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

• Place all ingredients in a medium-sized pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer, partially covered, for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will pop as they cook.
• Strain through a fine mesh sieve into another pot or whatever you are serving the cider in.
• Ladle into mugs, and enjoy hot. Garnish each mug with one or two fresh cranberries.