What could be more festive than a warming mulled drink? Mulled wine and mulled cider are popular at this time of year, but here is our non-alcoholic version. This Mulled Apple Juice is full of the spices of Christmas and will warm you up after a day of Christmas shopping. Perfect for serving up at a party!

As soon as Halloween is over with, we are ready to embrace all things festive. Christmas is of course all about the delicious food, but let's not forget about the festive drinks that are on offer too.
This Mulled Apple Juice is the perfect thing to warm up with when you get back from a hard day of Christmas shopping, or when you want something a bit fancy to have in front of the TV. Just add some honey and winter spices to some apple juice and heat it through for a delicious spiced apple drink.
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What you will need
- Apple juice - The base of this mulled apple juice.
- Orange - Adds some lovely zestiness.
- Cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg - All the lovely warming spices.
- Honey - Adds some sweetness to the drink. Easily swap for maple syrup or sugar.
Step by step
One: Pour the apple juice into a pan and gently squeeze some of the juice from the orange quarters into the pan. Stud the orange quarters with the cloves and add to the pan with the rest of the ingredients (apart from the nutmeg).
Two: Heat through until warm and sieve in to mugs with a little grated nutmeg on top.
Why should you try it?
- A delicious non alcoholic Christmas drink
- Perfect for serving up at a party
- Only a few ingredients
Non alcoholic Christmas drinks
It's hard enough going to a Christmas party and being one of the only sober ones. But, it's even worse when you are just offered some water or Coke whilst everyone is enjoying fancy festive cocktails.
If you are hosting a Christmas party this year, then why not serve this to your guests that aren't drinking. I can guarantee that they will appreciate it. It's so simple to make and the bonus is that it makes your whole house smell amazing. A drink and an air freshener all in one!
Does this work with wine?
We have made this as an alternative to mulled cider, but you could use non alcoholic red wine instead of apple juice to make a non alcoholic mulled wine.
Still use honey and all of the same spices, but swap apple juice for alcohol free wine, or a grape juice.
Speaking of alcoholic Christmas drinks, have you tried our Christmas Punch?
FAQs
This is easy to make into a vegan mulled drink - simply swap the honey for maple syrup, or add some brown sugar.
Still want a bit of a buzz from your festive drink? You can use this same recipe for an alcoholic version by making mulled cider instead of mulled apple juice. Make one alcoholic batch and one non alcoholic batch so your guests have some option.
Also, the non alcoholic version is a great base for then adding rum or vodka to.
Extra tips
- Make a non alcoholic mulled wine version by swapping the apple juice for non alcoholic red wine or grape juice.
- You can make an alcoholic cider version of this by using cider instead of apple juice.
- Give this drink a healthy boost by using Manuka honey.
- Use this recipe as a base and let your guests add their own rum or vodka, or keep it alcohol free.
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Recipe
Mulled Apple Juice
Ingredients
- 500 ml Apple Juice
- 1 Orange (cut into quarters)
- 12 Cloves
- 2 Cardamon pods crushed
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- Grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Pour the apple juice into a pan and gently squeeze some of the juice from the orange quarters into the pan. Stud the orange quarters with the cloves and add to the pan with the rest of the ingredients (apart from the nutmeg).
- Heat through until warm and serve in a mug with a little grated nutmeg on top.
Notes
- Make a non alcoholic mulled wine version by swapping the apple juice for non alcoholic red wine or grape juice.
- You can make an alcoholic cider version of this by using cider instead of apple juice.
- Give this drink a healthy boost by using Manuka honey.
- Use this recipe as a base and let your guests add their own rum or vodka, or keep it alcohol free.
Jacqueline Debono
This is such a great idea for guests that don't drink alcohol but still want to enjoy the festive flavours! Will keep this in mind for my Christmas party!
urbanremedyasia
This drink is really healthy and tasty. I tried this morning. Thanks for sharing it with us.
lily
Thanks for Sharing
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Mulled drinks always make me feel so festive! Loving this non-alcoholic version.
Julie's Notebook
These look gorgeous and truly festive. It's hard to avoid energy drinks these days isn't it? Almost marketed as healthy.
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Oooh, I love hot apple cider type drinks! I might have to make this on Christmas Eve in the crock pot and add some Fireball to it!
I HATE energy drinks. I think they taste like crap, and I don't do well with caffeine anyways, so I don't think I've ever drank a whole energy drink before. People don't realize that feeding their bodies lots of caffeine in coffee + energy drinks can create adrenal fatigue and be really harmful to their health.
whatlauraloves
Ooh this sounds very warming, I like hot drinks during the colder months xxx
Izzy @ She Likes Food
I usually spend most of my time thinking about holiday food but I never think about fun holiday drinks like this one! This cider sounds so warm and comforting :)