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–+ servings
Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider 1

Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider

This soul-warming Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider combines two of autumn's most beloved flavors into one delicious homemade beverage. Made with real ingredients, this recipe lets you control both sweetness and spice intensity for a perfectly personalized cup without artificial ingredients.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Steeping Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Beverage
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 120 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • Cheesecloth
  • Kitchen Twine
  • Whisk
  • Fine-Mesh Strainer

Ingredients
  

Base Cider

  • 8 cups apple cider unfiltered apple juice works too
  • 1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 1 tsp whole allspice berries
  • 1 nutmeg cracked (or ½ tsp ground nutmeg)
  • 1 inch fresh ginger sliced
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 1 orange sliced into rounds
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup or honey adjustable to taste
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Garnishes

  • whipped cream regular or coconut-based
  • caramel drizzle
  • cinnamon sugar rim
  • apple slices
  • cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Create a spice sachet by placing the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, cracked nutmeg, and star anise pods in a piece of cheesecloth. Tie securely with kitchen twine.
  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, pour in the apple cider. Whisk in the pumpkin puree until fully incorporated to avoid clumps.
  • Add your spice sachet, sliced ginger, and orange rounds to the pot.
  • Bring mixture to a very gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Once bubbling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 45-60 minutes. Avoid boiling.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup or honey and vanilla extract. For best results, allow the cider to steep for an additional 30 minutes with the heat off.
  • Remove the spice sachet, ginger slices, and orange rounds. If you didn't use a spice sachet, strain the entire mixture through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Serve hot in mugs with your choice of garnishes.

Notes

For a sugar-free version, replace maple syrup with monk fruit sweetener or stevia.
Apple juice can replace cider in a pinch (though you'll lose some depth of flavor).
Ground spices can substitute for whole (use ½ teaspoon each of ground cinnamon, cloves, and allspice).
For adults, a splash of bourbon, rum, or spiced rum can be added for complexity.
Refrigerate leftover cider in airtight containers for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 0.5gSodium: 10mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 15mg
Keyword Pumpkin Spice, Apple Cider, Fall Drink, Autumn Beverage, Holiday Drink
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