This mulled cider recipe is the perfect addition to a hay ride, trick or treating, or snuggling up with a movie. Classic mulled cider, also known as spiced cider or wassail, is made with simple ingredients to produce a fragrant, hot spiced apple drink.
Why This Recipe Works
Mulled cider is a juice that is warmed with spices - usually a mixture of orange and apple juice spiced with cinnamon, clove, allspice, and nutmeg. Traditionally it was served from huge bowls that could hold many gallons of liquid. These were served at large gathering and were a way of wishing well. Nowadays, wassail, or mulled cider as it if often called are enjoyed in the fall or winter months. This recipe is made in the pressure cooker which gives it an all day cooked taste in a fraction of the time.
What Is In Mulled Cider?
A few items to note about some of the ingredients:
Frozen orange juice concentrate - you will need about half of the container of this. You can use store brand, or name brand. This can be found on the frozen food aisle.
Cheese cloth - cheese cloth is used in this recipe to keep the spices together for easy remove after cooking. Cheese cloth is not required, you can alternately strain the cider after cooking.
Nutmeg - you can use whole nutmeg, or ground. Both taste delicious.
How to do Make Mulled Cider?
- Use a large piece of cheesecloth to wrap whole spices. Alternately, you can use a fine mesh strainer to strain after steeping.
2. Tie cheesecloth into a knot to secure the spices.
3. Pour apple juice into your pressure cooker, slow cooker, or a large pot.
4. Add brown sugar.
5. To your pot, add frozen orange juice concentrate.
6. Add spices and sliced orange.
7. is Steep. See Recipe Card for steeping options.
8. Serve immediately.
Mulled Cider FAQ
The short answer is NOTHING! Â Both mulled cider and wassail refer to a spiced juice drink. Â While wassail is traditionally a warm spiced apple drink, other mulled ciders contain cranberry or other flavors. Â If you haven't already - check out our Cranberry Spiced Cider Recipe. Â It will knock your socks off and you'll be set for winter with these two delicious hot drinks.
Yes, you can substitute juice for cider.
Mulled means to heat, sweeten, and flavor with spices
This recipe will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan.
Mulled Cider Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Gallon Apple Juice or Apple Cider
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1 orange sliced
- 2 teaspoon whole cloves
- 2 teaspoon whole allspice
- 3 sticks cinnamon
- 2 whole nutmeg or 1 teaspoon ground
Instructions
Stove Top
- Tie Spices into a large piece of cheesecloth. Alternately, you can pour liquid thru a fine mesh strainer after steeping.
- Mix apple juice, orange juice concentrate and sugar in a large pot.
- Add orange slices and spices, stir to combine.
- Heat just to boiling, the reduce to low and steep 1 hour.
- Refrigerate any leftovers.
Instant Pot
- Tie Spices into a large piece of cheesecloth. Alternately, you can pour liquid thru a fine mesh strainer after steeping.
- Mix apple juice, orange juice concentrate and sugar into a 6qt or larger electric pressure cooker.
- Add orange slices and spices, stir to combine.
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a 10 minute natural release before quick releasing the rest of the steam.
- Serve immediately.
Slow Cooker
- Tie Spices into a large piece of cheesecloth. Alternately, you can pour liquid thru a fine mesh strainer after steeping.
- Mix apple juice, orange juice concentrate and sugar into a 5qt or larger slow cooker.
- Add orange slices and spices, stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.
Kelly says
This was too good! I'm making it again on halloween.