QUICK SUMMARY
This healthy mulled cider is a cozy, naturally sweet holiday drink made with 100% apple cider, organic mulling spices, and cinnamon sticks. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and has no added sugar. Simply simmer the spices in the cider for an hour, then serve warm. Mama Z makes it with fresh-pressed cider from her family’s apple trees whenever possible.
My Mulled Cider is a fantastic way to welcome Fall! It’s perfectly spiced and warms the coldest nights. This is a beautiful drink to serve at all your holiday gatherings as it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and free of added sugar. We make this drink with my Dad’s fresh-pressed cider made from my family’s apple trees.
They have a wonderful apple orchard in the middle of the city. Every time we visit in the Fall, we have fun doing all the fun apple activities. It’s become a family tradition! My Dad is one of the most generous men I know, donating apples to the food bank every year. He shines each one to give it that extra touch! I know your family will love this recipe just as much as mine does.
Table of Contents:
Make Healthy Mulled Cider
This cider is easy to prepare. It needs a bit of time to simmer, which gives you more time to connect with loved ones!
Mulled Cider (Vegan)
Servings
Ingredients
- ½ cup Frontier Co-Op organic mulling spices
- 4 (3-inch) organic cinnamon sticks
- 1 gallon organic apple cider (fresh pressed is the best)
Supplies
Instructions
- Place the cinnamon sticks and mulling spice in the reusable tea bag. Secure tightly.
- Pour the apple cider into a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the tea bag and let it simmer for 1 hour. Serve warm.
Step One: Prepare the Tea Bag
Place the cinnamon sticks and mulling spice in the reusable tea bag. Secure tightly.
Step Two: Add Ingredients to Pan and Simmer
Pour the apple cider into a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the tea bag and let simmer for 1 hour. Serve warm. Enjoy!
You can freeze this drink ahead of time for easy party prep. Just follow the recipe, and let it cool. Pour into reusable containers that fit perfectly in your allotted freezer space. On the day of the event, remove the container from the freezer and let thaw. Warm over low heat. The flavors stay fresh! Refrigerate freshly prepared cider promptly, and thaw frozen cider in the refrigerator before reheating.
Healthy Spiced Cider Ingredients
This mulled cider requires just a few simple ingredients and supplies. Some store-bought spiced cider drinks contain added sweeteners and flavors, but you don’t need them to make a delicious drink! Here’s what you need to create a delightful Fall beverage.
Apple Cider: There are many kinds of apple cider on the shelves, but to avoid unnecessary ingredients, we recommend using 100% apple cider, fresh-pressed if possible. You should be able to find this ingredient in your local store, in an orchard, or even at a farmer’s market. If not, there are a few great options online. Choose pasteurized cider when serving children, pregnant guests, older adults, or anyone with a weakened immune system; unpasteurized juice can contain harmful bacteria.
Dr Z and my Dad enjoy making fresh-pressed cider every year. It’s one of their favorite things to do together and they definitely get their workout in! We like to freeze that cider and distribute it between family members. I’ll break it out for special events like Thanksgiving!
Organic Mulling Spices: Mulling spices take ordinary cider to a whole new level. This blend consists of cinnamon, orange peel, allspice, cloves, and ginger. Stay away from instant spice mixes that contain excess sodium and preservatives. The real deal tastes better!
I love using the Frontier Co-op brand because it doesn’t contain any additives.
Reusable Tea Bags: Loose-leaf tea lovers, rejoice! These reusable tea bags are a fantastic way to implement low-waste practices in your home. We use them in our cider and holiday punch as they let flavors infuse while keeping drinks free of debris.
Organic Cinnamon Sticks: Cinnamon sticks are a fantastic garnish, and they add that extra hint of heat. I love adding different cinnamon sticks to a small bowl and letting guests use them to stir their drinks!
Fun fact: Cinnamon contains antioxidant plant compounds and has been studied for its food-preserving properties, although a cinnamon stick in cider is primarily there for its delicious flavor.
Mama Z Pro Tip: Use cinnamon sticks as a straw!
Benefits of Apples & Cider
There’s nothing better than biting into a sweet, juicy apple! Apple orchards are a great place to purchase apples while having a fun experience. Plus, the owners are usually transparent about their growing processes. Win-win! We love stocking up on apples during the Fall.
We all know the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the Doctor away!” That may not be entirely true, but apples do have nutritional benefits. Keep in mind that whole apples and pressed cider aren’t nutritionally identical: most of the apple’s fiber stays behind during pressing, while cider retains naturally occurring sugars. This recipe contains no added sugar, but it isn’t sugar-free.
Whole Apples Provide Fiber
Whole apples contain fiber, including pectin, that can support fullness and digestive health. Fiber also helps nourish beneficial gut bacteria. (1) (2) If you’re looking for those fiber benefits, enjoy a whole apple alongside your cider rather than relying on the drink alone.
Apples Contain Antioxidant Compounds
Apples contain polyphenols that researchers have studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Observational studies have explored associations between apple consumption and certain cancer outcomes, but these findings do not prove that apples or apple cider prevent or treat cancer. (3)
What About Brain Health?
Oxidative stress is one factor studied in age-related cognitive changes. Some laboratory and animal studies have explored apple juice and apple-derived compounds for possible neurological effects. (4) (5) That’s interesting research, but it doesn’t establish that drinking mulled cider improves memory in people.
For our family, the biggest benefit of this recipe is simpler: a warm, homemade drink to share with the people we love. Because apple cider contains natural sugar, enjoy a serving that works for your needs, especially if you monitor blood glucose.
If you’re following along with The Essential Oils Diet, you know that your beverages are one of the first areas we recommend changing. Many people consume empty calories and added sugar without even realizing it!
Thankfully, there are ways to enjoy delicious drinks while still achieving your health goals. Check out some of our favorite beverages here. You’ll find a wide variety of chilled and warm recipes, including options without gluten, dairy, or added sugar.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11396693/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705355/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18855307/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14978604/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3183591/
