Name: Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider (Non-Alcoholic)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups apple cider; 2 cinnamon sticks; 6 whole cloves; 2 star anise pods; 1 orange, sliced into rounds; 1 lemon, sliced into rounds; 2 tbsp honey (optional, to taste); Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)

This Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider smells of cinnamon, clove, and citrus as soon as it reaches a gentle simmer. Apple cider does the heavy lifting while whole spices and fresh orange and lemon rounds steep in for a warm, fragrant drink that tastes like the holidays in a mug. It’s worth making to fill the house with that aroma before guests arrive.

Total time is 25 minutes — 5 minutes of prep and 20 on the stovetop — with beginner difficulty, inspired by her classic approach to mulled drinks. The one step that needs attention is keeping the pot at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil. Serve it on a chilly evening, at a holiday gathering, or any time you want the house to smell incredible.

What Is Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider?

It’s a warm spiced apple drink made by simmering cider with cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, sliced orange, and sliced lemon on the stovetop. The spices and citrus infuse into the cider over low heat, giving you a fragrant, slightly sweet cup with a gentle bite from the anise and clove. Texture-wise it stays thin and sippable, not syrupy. Mulled cider is a classic American cold-weather beverage, and it works for everything from Thanksgiving to a quiet night on the couch.

Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider (Non-Alcoholic)

Reasons to Try Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider

If you’ve never made a warm cider from scratch, these are the things that make it worth the 25 minutes.

Simple ingredient list — Eight items, and most of them are pantry spices you likely already have on the shelf.
No special equipment — One large saucepan and a fine-mesh sieve are all you need from start to finish.
Scales easily for a crowd — Doubling the batch and keeping it warm in a slow cooker makes entertaining almost effortless.
Bright apple and citrus flavor — Sweet cider balanced by fresh orange and lemon slices makes a mug everyone at the table can enjoy, from kids to guests.
Best-smelling kitchen trick — Whole spices release their aroma as they steep, so the house smells like a holiday market.
Forgiving recipe — There’s real flexibility on sweetness and spice, so you can tune it to your taste each time.

Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider

The full list is short and mostly shelf-stable, which is why this comes together so easily on a weeknight or a holiday morning.

The Cider Base

8 cups apple cider — The backbone of the drink. Use fresh, unfiltered cider for the fullest apple flavor; cloudy cider beats clear juice every time.
2 tbsp honey (optional, to taste) — Adds roundness if your cider runs tart. Taste first before adding — many ciders are sweet enough already.

The Whole Spices

2 cinnamon sticks — The warm, woody backbone of the spice blend. Fresh sticks snap cleanly; old ones turn dusty and dull.
6 whole cloves — Pungent and slightly sweet. Six is enough to perfume the whole pot without turning it medicinal.
2 star anise pods — Adds a subtle licorice note that deepens the aroma. Whole pods infuse cleaner than ground.
Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional) — A last-minute warm accent. Freshly grated is noticeably brighter than pre-ground.

The Citrus

1 orange, sliced into rounds — Brings sweetness and a bright, floral note. Leave the peel on — it holds most of the oils.
1 lemon, sliced into rounds — Cuts through the sweetness and keeps the cider from tasting flat. Rounds steep more evenly than wedges.

Instructions to Prepare Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider

The method is one pot, one gentle simmer, and a quick strain. Follow the heat cues and the rest takes care of itself.

Combine everything — In a large saucepan, add the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, orange slices, and lemon slices.
Bring to a gentle simmer — Set the pot over medium heat and watch for small bubbles at the edges. Do not let it reach a rolling boil, as that can turn the flavors bitter and reduce the cider too much.
Steep on low — Once simmering, drop the heat to low and let it steep 15-20 minutes so the spices and citrus infuse. Stir occasionally.
Taste and adjust — Stir in honey if it needs sweetness, and add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
Strain the solids — Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into mugs or a heatproof pitcher, then discard the solids.
Serve hot — Ladle into mugs, garnished with a fresh orange slice or a cinnamon stick if you like.

What Goes Well With Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider

A warm mug pairs with almost anything cozy, but these are the combinations that work best.

Cheese and crackers — A sharp cheddar or a soft brie balances the sweet spice beautifully.
Roasted nuts — Spiced or simply salted almonds and pecans add a crunchy counterpoint to the smooth drink.
Gingerbread cookies — The molasses and warm spice echo the cinnamon and clove in the cup.
Apple cake — A slice of cinnamon-scented cake doubles down on the orchard flavor.
Sparkling cider — A cold glass alongside the hot mug makes a fun temperature contrast for a party.
Coffee or tea — For a brunch spread, a pot of both lets guests choose their warm drink.

Key Tips for Making Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider

A few small habits separate a good batch from a great one.

Keep it below a boil — A bare simmer extracts flavor; a hard boil makes it bitter and cooks off volume. Watch for tiny bubbles at the rim.
Taste before sweetening — Cider sweetness varies wildly by brand and season, so add honey only after you’ve tasted the steeped liquid.
Use whole spices — Ground spices cloud the cider and turn gritty. Whole cinnamon, clove, and star anise strain out cleanly.
Slice citrus thin — Thin rounds release their oils faster and steep more evenly than thick wedges.
Don’t skip the strain — A fine-mesh sieve catches the clove buds and anise pods so nobody gets a mouthful of spice.
Warm the mugs — Rinsing mugs with hot water first keeps the drink hot longer once it’s poured.
Steep, don’t rush — Give it the full 15-20 minutes. Cutting it short leaves the spices tasting thin and the citrus flat.

Creative Variations of Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider

Once you’ve made the base version, these twists are easy to work in.

Add fresh ginger — A few coins of peeled ginger bring a peppery heat that plays well with the clove and anise.
Swap in maple — Replace the honey with maple syrup for a deeper, more autumnal sweetness.
Go cranberry — Stir in a splash of pure cranberry juice for a tart, festive edge.
Try a tea version — Steep a couple of black tea bags alongside the spices for a warmer, slightly tannic finish.
Include fresh pear — A sliced pear added during the simmer lends a soft, honeyed sweetness.
Finish with vanilla — A small splash of vanilla extract rounds out the spice and softens the edges.

Storage Guidelines for Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider

Leftovers keep well if you store them right.

Airtight container — Pour cooled cider into a sealed jar or bottle and refrigerate; it keeps up to 5 days.
Remove the solids first — Strain out the spices and citrus before storing so the flavor doesn’t turn harsh over time.
Cool before sealing — Let the cider come to room temperature, then cap it to avoid condensation and dilution.
Skip the freezer — Freezing isn’t recommended, as the flavors can turn muted and the texture goes flat.
Label the date — A quick date on the container takes the guesswork out of using it within five days.

Reheating Tips for Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider

Warm it gently so the spices don’t turn sharp.

Stovetop — Pour into a saucepan over low heat and stir until steaming; avoid a boil so the flavor stays smooth.
Microwave — Heat in a microwave-safe mug in short bursts, stirring between each, until hot but not bubbling.
Slow cooker — For a crowd, reheat on the low setting and hold it there, keeping the lid ajar so it doesn’t over-reduce.
Avoid the air fryer — It’s not suited to liquids and will splatter; stick with the stovetop, microwave, or slow cooker.

Nutrition Value (Per Serving)

Values are based on 1 serving out of 4 total.

Calories — 216
Protein — 0g
Fat — 0g
Saturated Fat — 0g
Carbohydrates — 54g
Fiber — 0g
Sugar — 54g
Sodium — around 10mg
Cholesterol — 0mg

Most of the sugar comes from the cider itself, so sweetness varies with the brand you buy. Using a less sweet or unfiltered cider can bring that number down slightly.

FAQs

Can I make Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider ahead of time?

Yes. Steep and strain it up to two days ahead, then refrigerate. Reheat gently over low heat and it tastes just as fresh.

How long does Ina Garten Hot Mulled Cider last in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, it keeps up to 5 days. Strain out the solids before chilling so the flavor stays clean.

Why did my cider turn bitter?

Boiling is almost always the culprit. A hard boil draws out harsh compounds from the spices and reduces the cider too far, so keep it at a gentle simmer.

Can I use ground spices instead of whole?

You can, but the cider will be cloudy and slightly gritty. Whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise strain out cleanly and give a clearer flavor.

How do I serve this for a party?

Double the batch and keep it warm in a slow cooker on the low setting. Set out mugs, fresh orange slices, and cinnamon sticks so guests can garnish their own.

Is this drink suitable for kids?

Yes — it’s simply spiced cider with fruit and warm spices, so it’s a cozy option the whole family can enjoy. Offer smaller mugs so it cools faster for little ones.