The first steaming cup of spiced cider firmly in my grasp signals the beginning of Autumn for me. Irrelevant of the outside temperature, which overcoat I am wearing or the colour of the leaves, it is the sharp smell of fermented apples softened with spices that rings home the season.
This year like many before, my first taste of the season came at the local food festival. Nestled under the trees, among brightly coloured stalls and crowds of unfamiliar neighbours. The whole park echoing with the sound of gleeful children and musical performers situated at either ends of the festivities.
This cup was enjoyed quickly, perched on the end of a crowded bench whilst deciding which of the multitudes of traders we would visit next, with little thought or care as to when I would find another seller. Two days later and the fair was gone.
Like many recipes, this one had been lost in an overwhelming sea of potential dishes in my Pinterest account. The recent cold snap in the UK (some may call it Winter!) had me reaching for something warm and comforting this past weekend when I found this again. This was the first time I had made it from scratch and it was surprisingly easy, and used ingredients I already had in my kitchen.
Mulled Cider
serves 2 (can be easily multiplied)
500ml cider
3 tbsp brown sugar
5 cloves (plus extra for decoration)
3 cardamom pods crushed open
1 stick of cinnamon (plus extra for decoration)
½ tsp allspice
½ tsp nutmeg
1 clementine
Using a sharp knife slice the peel off the clementine, and then quarter the remaining fruit. Reserving a slice of peel per glass for decoration place the rest of the orange in a saucepan.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the pan and warm over a low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse.
Poke little holes along each strip of decorative peel and poke cloves through each on, rest the peel over the side of the glass.
Place a cinnamon stick in each glass and then strain the liquid over it.
Enjoy warm.
Mulled Cider
by Jenny
24 Comments
Beautiful. Your writing is as stunning as it always is and its left me longing for a tall cup of cider. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Monet, that means a lot, it’s something I’m really trying to improve
Really loving your photos in this post, Jenny!
Thanks Rachel!
It has gotten cold here too recently! (Like really cold!) This would be perfect. I love the clementine peel too–adorable!
Thanks Erin! it’s such an easy touch
Mulled cider is my “go to” drink for this time of year. Absolutely delicious. The spice combination in your recipe sounds perfect. Have a great week!
Thanks Annie, I tend to go for mulled wine in winter, cider in the autumn
Mulled wine and cider are one of the things that are very good about winter. This looks like a great recipe – can’t wait to try it out!
Thanks Skye, it’s nice and easy and doesn’t ask for too much
YUM
Thanks!
I love how you served this, Jenny. The cloves studded through the slice of orange is just gorgeous. And mulled wine is so festive and really brings Christmas to mind xx
Thanks Charlie Lou
Gorgeous pictures, Jenny! I’m going to have to get some cider.
Thanks Alicia, it’s one of my favourite drinks!
I really want to try this beautiful drink, it looks so classy in your photos
Cheers
CCU
Thanks CCU!
What kind of cider did you use?
I just used Westons I think, nothing special!
This looks great, I love mulled cider. I particularly like your studded orange peel!
Thanks Caroline! it’s such a simple touch
I love mulled cider and this one looks so tasty! It’s so comforting especially during the cold winter days
Thanks Dana!