The easiest mulled cider – using mulled fruit teabags instead of individual spices. This mulled cider has a lovely warming, spiced flavour with an extra hit of apple brandy!
Definitely one for the grown-ups only!

2 glass mugs filled with mulled cider. There are clementine slices and cranberries in the cider and the mugs are on a wooden table. The front mug has a gold teaspoon in it.
Want to save this recipe to your email?
Just enter your email and get it sent straight to your inbox!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Whenever I used to go to a Christmas market, I always used to get a Glühwein, and really try to like it. But to be honest, I would find it a little strong and sometimes too acidic.
In recent years, I’ve noticed mulled cider is becoming more common, and I found that to be so much more palatable!

Sweet, tangy, spiced and warming – the perfect drink to warm your hands and belly on a cold Winter day!

This is my quick and easy recipe – using mulled fruit teabags. It’s so much easier than fiddling with spice bags and squeezing out muslins.

📋 What do we need?

Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Cider (hard/alcoholic cider) – I like to use a nice fruity cider – such as Misty Maid or Cornish Orchards
  • Apple juice – a good quality cloudy apple juice is best
  • Apple brandy/Calvados
  • Light brown sugar
  • Orange zest
  • Mulled fruit teabags (see my recommendations in the notes section of the recipes card below)

👩‍🍳PRO TIP You can easily double or triple this recipe, sticking to the same ingredient ratios and same cooking times, to serve more people.

2 glass mugs filled with mulled cider. There are clementine slices and cranberries in the cider and the mugs are on a wooden table.

🍽️ What to serve it with


I love to serve my mulled cider with slices of clementine and a small handful of fresh cranberries. Although don’t eat the cranberries – they’re very pretty, but definitely on the sour side when they’re raw!

Overhead image of two glass mugs filled with mulled cider, cranberries and clementine slices on a wooden table. There is a clementine sliced in half next to the mugs.

🍲 More festive drinks

Stay updated with new recipes!
Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when I post a new recipe. I’m also on YouTube (new videos every week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes stories & beautiful food photos).

5 from 1 vote

Easy Mulled Cider

Ready in 10 minutes, this warming mulled cider is so simple to make. I'm using mulled fruit teabags, instead of individual spices for the ultimate simplicity.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 small cups
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

  • 1 litre (1.75) pints cider (hard cider)
  • 300 ml (1 1/4) cups apple juice
  • 4 tbsp Calvados
  • 8 tbsp light brown sugar
  • zest of 1 orange peeled into thick strips
  • 3 mulled fruit teabags see my recommendations below

To Serve:

  • thin slices of unpeeled clementines
  • fresh cranberries they’ll be too sour to eat, but they look very pretty
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent straight to your inbox!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Instructions 

  • Add everything to a pan.
    1 litre (1.75) pints cider, 300 ml (1 1/4) cups apple juice, 4 tbsp Calvados, 8 tbsp light brown sugar, zest of 1 orange, 3 mulled fruit teabags
  • Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Remove the mulled fruit teabags and orange peel.
  • Serve immediately, or keep warm over a low heat until ready to serve.
  • Serve topped with slices of clementine and fresh cranberries
    thin slices of unpeeled clementines, fresh cranberries

Notes

Cider
Use your favourite variety of cider. I like a nice fruit cider, but you can go dry, sweet or anything in between.
My favourite varieties are: 
  • Misty Maid
  • Sandford Orchards
  • Cornish Orchards Gold
  • Thatchers Vintage
  • Henry Westons Vintage
Mulled Fruit Teabags
You can use any mulled fruit style teabag. My favourites are:
  • M&S Mulled Fruit Infusion Teabags – this is the one I use for this recipe the most
  • Pukka Winter Warmer Teabags
  • Teapigs Glühwein teabags
Nutritional information is approximate, per small (225ml) cup.

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

Welcome to Kitchen Sanctuary

Hi, I'm Nicky and I love to cook! I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

Other Recipes You Might Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate the recipe




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Eleanor says:

    5 stars
    This made a fab change from mulled wine over the festive period. Cheers for the idea!