Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix is the best way to upgrade store-bought apple cider. It adds the warm and cozy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves to every sip. It also makes a great gift to share with friends, family, neighbors and teachers.
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About this Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix recipe
Even though summer is still in full swing where I live, mornings are starting to be cool and crisp — the perfect weather for pre-work dog walks.
After a hot summer, those chilly mornings are giving me the itch to make all the fall things, from pumpkin bread to chai muffins. The other day I spied apple cider at the store and I had to have it!
Last year at a friend’s house, she had a jar of apple cider spice mix — a spiced and sugary mixture — to stir into our hot ciders. It was so cozy and I had to make my own to share with you.
It’s not only fantastic at upgrading apple cider, but you can use it to rim glasses for fall drinks like apple cider sangria or stir it into your morning coffee for some extra coziness.
I highly suggest making a batch to keep in your kitchen this season, plus a few extra jars to share with friends, family, neighbors or teachers.
More apple recipes: Apple Cider Mule • Apple Syrup • Apple Martini
Why you’ll love this recipe
Upgrade your apple cider with this apple cider spice mix and you’ll fall in love! It’s like cinnamon sugar but next-level!
- This Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix is super simple to make with just four ingredients.
- You can stir it into apple cider, bake with it or mix it into coffee, cocktails and tea
- It’s a lovely (and inexpensive) DIY gift to share with everyone you know.
Hot apple cider is the perfect fall beverage for serving at parties. For a tailgate or other outdoor event, serve it out of a slow cooker. At home, for housewarmings and showers, you can keep it warm on the stove — and this spice mix will make it smell heavenly!
Tools & equipment
You don’t need a lot to make this recipe! A good set of measuring spoons and a mixing bowl are a must, and you’ll need something to store it in, like a mason jar or spice jar. A funnel can also be helpful for getting the mixture into the jar cleanly.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this apple cider mix recipe!
- coarse sugar: You can also use granulated sugar or brown sugar here, but the coarse sugar gives this a nice texture.
- cinnamon: Did you know there are different types of cinnamon? True cinnamon is what you probably know as cinnamon, but you can try a more robust variety like royal cinnamon to get more cozy flavor.
- nutmeg: If you have the time and means to grate fresh nutmeg, that’ll make this next level! You can also use a high-quality ground nutmeg like Grenada gold.
- ground cloves: Cloves come in whole form, but you’ll want the ground for this. We love these sharp and flavorful ground pemba cloves.
Instructions
Putting this spice mix together is oh-so-easy!
- Grab a medium sized bowl and dump in all of the ingredients.
- Mix thoroughly to combine, then transfer it to your container of choice. A mason jar is perfect!
- Then, your apple cider spice mix ready to use.
- Stir a spoonful into a mug of hot apple cider and enjoy all that hard work!
Tips & tricks
- Use fresh spices. Did you know your spices can lose their flavor and color over time — and even go rancid? It’s a good idea to check the expiration dates at least once a year (a good thing to do on Jan. 1 every year!) and replace any that are past their prime.
- Experiment with other spices. You could add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to play with the flavor profile.
- Try it in more than cider. Use it to rim a glass for an apple cider mimosa or mix it into coffee or a fall latte for some delicious autumn flavor.
- Jar too small? Lightly tap the bottom of the jar against your counter. This forces the granules to settle and pack themselves in more tightly, freeing up a little bit more room for more spice mix.
Storage tips
When stored in an airtight container, this will last up to a year. Also, per my tip above, make sure your spices won’t expire in that timeframe!
Store your airtight jars or containers in a cool dry place. Be sure to secure that lid tightly! The spices can settle, so give the jar a shake before using.
Gift ideas
This is also great to give as gifts! And very inexpensive too. You can add a little ribbon or a pretty bow and give it to friends, family, teachers, volunteers or neighbors during the fall or holiday season. Tie a cinnamon stick on top for an extra festive presentation.
Bonus gift idea: You could also spoon it into homemade cocktail infusion kits with things like dried rosemary sprigs, dehydrated lemon slices and star anise to make some excellent boozy infusions.
How to use Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix
Obviously, this mix is amazing in apple cider! Whether it’s store-bought or homemade apple cider, it makes a great spiced sweetener. You can also add it to plain apple juice to give it some cider flavor.
- Warm it up over medium heat on the stove or in your slow cooker. (Or the microwave if you’re just doing one cup!)
- Add about 1 tablespoon of apple cider spice mix per 32 ounces of liquid or ½ teaspoon for an 8-ounce mug.
- Taste and adjust to your liking!
Adding dehydrated apple slices, a vanilla bean or dehydrated orange slices to this in your beverage would kick it up a notch as well! (And could make a cute packaging addition!)
Other uses
You don’t even have to just add it to apple cider, you can try adding it to your other favorite holiday beverages, like spiced wassail or cozy mulled wine.
- On the rim of a drink: Try it on the rim of an apple cider margarita! It’s also a must-try on the rim of pumpkin beer or Christmas ale.
- Mixed into coffee and tea: Stir it into an apple macchiato or use it to sweeten Russian tea.
- Sprinkle it on breakfast items and desserts: Add a pinch or more to different sweets. Try it on pancakes or use it as a coating for cinnamon sugar donuts.
FAQ
Homemade apple cider spice mix can last about 1 year when stored in a cool, dry place in a food-safe, airtight container, like a spice jar or mason jar.
Add about ½ to 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Spice Mix to a mug of hot apple cider. If you want to use it on a larger amount, add about 1 tablespoon per 32 ounces (1 quart) of cider. Taste, and add more if desired.
More spice mix recipes
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Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix
ingredients
- 4 cups coarse sugar or granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon ground nutmeg
- ½ tablespoon ground cloves
instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly to combine.
- Store in airtight jars or containers in a cool dry place.
notes
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