Warm & Welcoming: The Ultimate Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider for the Holidays
As the air turns crisp and holiday lights twinkle, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting drink to bring cheer to your home. This **Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider** is your perfect companion for the festive season, blending the tartness of cranberries with the sweet, familiar embrace of apples, all infused with classic warming spices. Forget complicated recipes; this delightful drink comes together effortlessly with cranberry juice, apple juice, convenient cider mix pouches, aromatic cinnamon sticks, fragrant whole cloves, and a burst of fresh orange. Each sip is a symphony of flavors that will not only tantalize your taste buds but also fill your entire house with an irresistible aroma that truly embodies the spirit of the holidays.
Still not convinced that this delicious cranberry apple cider should be your next holiday staple? Just listen to Alexandria, one of our delighted readers, who raved, “OK… this was sooooo good! We’ll be making this apple cider every single winter from here on out! The cranberry juice with the apple cider and the spices is genius. Made our house smell amazing too.” High praise indeed for a recipe that promises to become a cherished family tradition.
Looking for other festive holiday drinks to make this year? My Christmas Wassail is another delicious hot apple cider recipe to try out, offering a rich and traditional flavor profile. Or, if you prefer something chilled, you can serve a cold drink like my Cranberry Mocktail or Christmas Slush Punch, both perfect for a vibrant and refreshing touch. If you’re a hot cocoa lover, you definitely need to make a batch of Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix so you can always have a rich, decadent hot cocoa on hand for those chilly evenings!
Why This Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe is a Must-Try
There are countless reasons why this cranberry apple cider will become your go-to recipe for festive gatherings and cozy nights alike. From its incredible flavor to its ease of preparation, this drink ticks all the boxes for a perfect holiday treat.
- The Quintessential Warm Holiday Drink. If you’re searching for the ultimate party drink, this cranberry cider recipe is an absolute winner! It’s wonderfully festive, bursting with rich, spiced flavors, and incredibly easy to elevate for any occasion. Garnish with fresh cranberries and elegant orange slices, and you have a sophisticated beverage that’s ready for black-tie holiday parties or a simple family dinner. As a delightful non-alcoholic option, it ensures everyone, from children to adults, can enjoy a taste of the season.
- Tastes and Smells Absolutely Amazing! One of the most enchanting aspects of making this spiced apple cider is the incredible aroma it releases. While simmering, I found myself constantly drawn to the fragrant steam, thinking how much I truly adored the scent! Within minutes of this Cranberry Apple Cider gently bubbling on the stove, my entire house was permeated with the glorious scents of Christmas: warm cloves, comforting cinnamon, and bright, zesty oranges. These prominent flavors are beautifully woven into every single delicious sip, making it a true sensory delight.
- Flexible Preparation: Stovetop or Crock Pot. This easy apple cider recipe offers superb flexibility in how you prepare it. Whether you prefer the quick stovetop method for immediate gratification or the hands-off convenience of a crock pot for simmering throughout the day, this recipe adapts perfectly. It comes together in a cinch, meaning less stress for you during the busy holiday season.
- Minimal, Readily Available Ingredients. You don’t need a lengthy shopping list for this impressive drink. With just two types of juice, two easy-to-find drink mix pouches, a handful of classic spices, and a fresh orange, you’ll have everything you need to create this festive beverage. Simple ingredients, spectacular results!
Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Cranberry Apple Cider
Crafting the perfect Cranberry Apple Cider starts with understanding each ingredient and how it contributes to the overall flavor. Here’s a deeper dive into what you’ll need to make this holiday beverage truly special:
- Apple Juice: For this specific holiday apple cider recipe, we intentionally use plain apple juice rather than apple cider. The reason is simple: we’re incorporating apple cider drink mix pouches, which will provide that distinct, concentrated cider flavor. Using plain apple juice allows us to build the flavor profile perfectly without overcomplicating things. Look for a good quality, unfiltered apple juice if possible for a richer base.
- Cranberry Juice: This is a crucial distinction for the best flavor. Please use straight, 100% pure cranberry juice. Avoid “cranberry juice cocktail” or blends like cranapple, cranraspberry, etc. Cranberry juice cocktail often contains added sugars and other fruit juices that will alter the tart-sweet balance we’re aiming for. Pure cranberry juice provides the authentic, bold cranberry flavor that makes this spiced cider shine.
- Brown Sugar: Adding brown sugar is an excellent way to introduce an additional layer of sweetness and a hint of molasses depth to this festive drink. Unlike white sugar, brown sugar contributes a warm, caramel-like note that complements the spices beautifully. You can use either light or dark brown sugar, depending on your preference for a milder or richer sweetness.
- Apple Cider Drink Mix Pouches: These convenient pouches are key to boosting that authentic apple cider taste. They contain concentrated apple flavor and often some spices, which streamline the process. Refer to the ingredient photo to ensure you know what type of mix I’m referring to. You’ll need two pouches for this recipe. Feel free to use any brand you prefer, as most perform similarly in this context.
- Whole Cloves: For infusing big flavor without a gritty texture, I highly recommend using whole cloves. As they simmer, the whole cloves release their warm, pungent essence into the spiced apple cider, creating a deep, aromatic profile. If you were to use ground cloves, they would likely float as undissolved particles, potentially making the drink cloudy or grainy, which we want to avoid for that perfectly smooth sip.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Cinnamon sticks are essential for adding that iconic warm, sweet, and slightly woody spice note. You can easily find them in the spice aisle of your local grocery store. Beyond their flavor contribution, cinnamon sticks also serve as a beautiful and rustic decoration, which you can leave in the drink for an extra festive touch when serving.
- Orange: A thinly sliced orange adds a wonderful touch of bright, zesty citrus to this holiday apple cider recipe. The orange peel contains aromatic oils that, when gently simmered, infuse the drink with a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the juices and the warmth of the spices, elevating the overall flavor profile.
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider
Making this delightful cranberry apple cider is incredibly simple, requiring just a few straightforward steps. Follow these instructions to create a warm, fragrant, and utterly delicious holiday beverage that your family and friends will adore.
- Combine Ingredients. Begin by gathering all your ingredients. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine 4 1/2 cups of apple juice, 2 1/2 cups of cranberry juice, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, the contents of 2 apple cider drink mix pouches, 1 teaspoon of whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 1 orange sliced into thin rounds. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until the brown sugar has dissolved and everything is well combined.
- Bring to a Boil, Then Simmer. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the festive drink mixture to a rolling boil. Once it starts boiling vigorously, immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes. This simmering process is crucial as it allows the spices and orange to fully infuse their flavors into the liquids, and your house will thank me for the incredible aroma! After simmering, carefully remove the pan from the heat. Before serving, strain the cider through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices, leaving you with a smooth, spiced beverage.
- Serve and Enjoy! Pour the fragrant cranberry apple cider into your favorite heatproof serving glasses, a stylish heatproof pitcher, or a festive punch bowl. For an extra special touch, you can add a fresh orange slice and a few cranberries to each glass as garnish. This drink is absolutely perfect served warm, but it’s also delicious chilled. Enjoy every cozy sip!
Expert Tips for the Perfect Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider
Elevate your cranberry apple cider from simply good to absolutely unforgettable with these handy tips and tricks:
- Choose the Right Cranberry Juice: As mentioned in the ingredient notes, always opt for 100% pure cranberry juice, not a cranberry juice cocktail. The pure juice provides the authentic tartness needed to balance the sweetness and spices, ensuring a more complex and robust flavor profile.
- Garnishing for Impact: Presentation is key, especially during the holidays! You can leave the thinly sliced orange rounds and cinnamon sticks in the drink for a beautiful decorative touch. For an extra pop of festive color and flavor, add some fresh, whole cranberries directly into the pitcher or punch bowl, or even directly into individual serving glasses. They look stunning floating on top!
- Fun Cranberry Ice Cubes: For a unique and chilled presentation, try freezing some fresh cranberries in a little bit of the finished cider (or even just water) in ice cube trays. These cranberry ice cubes are perfect for serving the cider cold, as they won’t dilute the flavor and add a gorgeous visual element to your drink.
- Whole Spices are Best: Stick to whole spices like cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Ground spices, while convenient, can be difficult to fully dissolve in liquids. This can result in a grainy texture and visually unappealing specs floating in your drink. Whole spices, on the other hand, perfectly infuse their fragrant oils and flavors into the cider, and can then be easily strained out for a smooth and clear beverage.
- Keeping it Warm for Serving: If you’re serving a crowd or want to keep your spiced apple cider warm throughout a party, transfer it to a slow cooker after straining. Set the slow cooker to the “warm” setting, and it will maintain the perfect temperature for hours, allowing your guests to enjoy a comforting hot drink at their leisure.
- Crockpot Convenience: For an even more hands-off approach from the start, you can easily transform this into a slow cooker cranberry apple cider. Simply combine all the ingredients in your crock pot at the beginning, set it on low, and let it cook for 3-4 hours. The slow, gentle heat allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it an ideal option for busy days. Remember to stir it once or twice during cooking for even distribution of flavors, and strain before serving.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: The amount of brown sugar can be adjusted based on your preference and the natural sweetness of your apple juice. Start with the recommended amount, then taste and add more sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s just right for you.
- Make it an Adult Beverage: This non-alcoholic cranberry apple cider is wonderful on its own, but it can easily be “spiked” for adults. A splash of spiced rum, brandy, or even bourbon would be a delicious addition to individual servings. Encourage guests to add their own alcohol if desired.
- Serving Suggestions: This versatile holiday apple cider is truly the perfect holiday drink, whether served hot or cold. It’s fantastic on its own, but also pairs wonderfully with holiday appetizers like cheese boards, festive cookies, or roasted nuts. Serve it in clear mugs to showcase its beautiful color and garnishes.
- Homemade Holiday Gift: This spiced cranberry apple cider makes a thoughtful and aromatic homemade gift! Prepare a batch, let it cool, and pour it into decorative bottles. Attach a tag with heating instructions and a list of ingredients. It’s a gift that spreads warmth and holiday cheer.
Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Your Cranberry Apple Cider
One of the best features of this Cranberry Apple Cider is how wonderfully it can be prepared in advance, making your holiday entertaining much smoother. This recipe is designed for convenience without sacrificing flavor.
This delightful cranberry apple cider recipe will keep beautifully in your fridge for up to 2 weeks. This extended shelf life makes it absolutely perfect to make ahead and enjoy throughout the entire holiday season! Simply store it in an airtight container or a covered pitcher in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, you can reheat it gently on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, or simply pour it over ice for a refreshing cold drink.
To freeze, first allow the cider to cool completely until it reaches room temperature. Once cooled, pour it into an airtight, freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer-safe ziplock bag, leaving a little headspace for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can then gently reheat it or serve it chilled. This makes it a fantastic option for having a festive drink ready whenever the craving strikes!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Apple Cider
Here are some common questions you might have about making and enjoying this delicious spiced cranberry apple cider:
Yes, absolutely! Cranberry juice is well-known for being an excellent source of vitamin C, an important antioxidant that supports immune health. Cranberries are also packed with antioxidants and compounds that can aid in digestive health and urinary tract well-being, making this holiday treat not just delicious, but also potentially beneficial.
Yes, you absolutely can! Making this slow cooker cranberry apple cider is incredibly simple and convenient. Just add all the ingredients—apple juice, cranberry juice, brown sugar, cider mix pouches, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and sliced orange—directly to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally halfway through to ensure all the flavors meld together perfectly. This method is fantastic for parties as it keeps the cider warm and ready to serve.
Indeed it can! While it’s undeniably comforting as a hot cranberry apple cider, it also makes for a wonderfully refreshing cold drink. Once prepared and cooled, simply chill it in the fridge and serve over ice. It’s a versatile beverage perfect for any time of year, offering a delightful twist on classic apple cider, whether enjoyed warm or straight out of the fridge!
Yes, you can. While brown sugar adds a lovely depth of flavor, you could substitute it with granulated sugar, maple syrup, or honey. If using maple syrup or honey, start with slightly less than the recommended brown sugar amount and taste as you go, as they tend to be sweeter. Adjust to your preference.
The initial simmering for 10-15 minutes is usually enough for the whole cloves and cinnamon sticks to release their primary flavors. However, for an even deeper, more robust spice profile, you can leave the spices in the cider while it’s kept warm in a slow cooker, or even let them sit in the cooled cider in the fridge for a few hours before straining. Just be mindful not to over-steep, as some spices can become too strong.
More Delightful Christmas Recipes to Explore
If you loved this Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider, you’ll surely enjoy these other festive recipes perfect for the holiday season. From sweet treats to cozy breakfast ideas, we’ve got your Christmas menu covered!
- The Ultimate Christmas Cookie Roundup
- Fluffy Gingerbread Waffles
- Decadent Peppermint Bark Cookies
- Festive Christmas Breakfast Ideas
- Irresistible Christmas Crack Recipe
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Review
Cranberry Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups apple juice
- 2 1/2 cups cranberry juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar – packed, can use light or dark brown sugar
- 2 pouches apple cider drink mix – 42 grams
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
Instructions
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In a medium sized sauce pan stir together the apple juice, cranberry juice, apple cider drink mix, cinnamon sticks, cloves, brown sugar, and orange slices. Bring to a boil. Once it begins boiling, reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, uncovered.
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Remove the pan from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the spices and orange slices.
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Pour the drink into serving glasses or a heat proof pitcher. Add a slice or two of fresh orange and enjoy! This drink can be served warm or cold, but I prefer it warm!
Notes
For an even deeper flavor, let the strained cider sit for an hour before serving, or keep warm in a slow cooker.
Nutritional information is an estimate and not exact.