Hot Cranberry Apple Cider is a delicious festive drink. Serve as is for a non-alcoholic option or add a splash of bourbon to add extra holiday pep!

Holiday parties and dinners just aren’t complete unless you’ve got a festive drink for you and your guests to sip while you’re celebrating. This Hot Cranberry Apple Cider is the super easy, must make drink for all of your holiday get togethers.

Whether you’re warming it up before you go trick or treating, before the first down of the family football game on Thanksgiving or before you go Christmas Caroling around the neighborhood, this hot cider is sure to hit the spot.

Hot cranberry Apple Cider in a Mug

Not to mention, leaving it simmering on the stove fills your home with a warm, comforting aroma that the whole family will love.

The Ingredients That You’ll Need:

Overhead photo of ingredients needed to make hot apple cranberry cider.

APPLE CIDER: Not apple juice! Apple cider is not filtered like apple juice so gives a tangier flavor.

CRANBERRY JUICE COCKTAIL: Unlike other cran-apple cider recipes, I use cranberry juice cocktail in this instead of 100% cranberry juice. Because of this, you won’t need any additional sugar in this recipe.

CINNAMON STICKS: I use these both in the cider as it is simmering and as a garnish.

WHOLE CLOVES: A little goes a long way here, you’ll only need 10 or so.

ORANGE SLICES: The orange pairs well with the cranberries. Like the cinnamon sticks, you’ll simmer the orange slices with the cider, but they also make great garnishes.

FRESH CRANBERRIES: The cranberries make it super festive!

How do you make Hot Cranberry Apple Cider?

It could not be easier! All you need to do is combine all of the ingredients together in a large pot and stir. Simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Keep it on low heat to keep it warm for serving.

Hot cranberry apple cider in a pot.

Can you make hot apple cider in the slow cooker?

Yes! Simply combine all of the ingredients together in the slow cooker, stir, cover and cook on low for 3 – 4 hours or until warmed through.

You can store this in the refrigerator for a few days as well.

Overhead photo of two mugs of cranberry apple cider.

Looking for more festive holiday drinks? Try these:

Peppermint Patty Drink

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Champagne Margarita

Apple Pie Cocktail

Hot Cranberry Apple Cider
5m
Prep
30m
Cook
35m
Total

Servings

8

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces apple cider
  • 32 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
  • 12 whole cloves
  • 1 whole orange (sliced)
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 4 whole cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients together in a pot and stir. Simmer over medium-low heat for at least 30 minutes. Keep on low to keep warm for serving.

  2. Ladle hot cider into mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, a few fresh cranberries and an orange.

Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories
123
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 11mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 1g
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Rate this recipe:
Pin
Deseree

Whether it is cooking it, eating it, shopping for it or watching TV about it, food is one of my favorite things.

1 Review

  1. 25 + Non-Alcoholic Holiday Apple Cider Recipes November 5, 2023

    […] drink. Serve as is for a non-alcoholic option or add a splash of bourbon to add extra holiday pep! Check out the recipe Homemade Hot Apple Cider Simmered to perfection, this Homemade Hot Apple Cider is warm, […]

Leave a Review