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 alternative. This Mulled Apple Juice is full of the spices of Christmas and will warm you up after a day of Christmas shopping. This spiced apple juice is perfect for serving up at a party for those that want an alcohol free option.
This Mulled Apple Juice recipe 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 watching a festive film.
Just add some honey and winter spices to some apple juice and heat it through for a delicious spiced apple drink - it's a warm spiced apple juice.
Looking for some more Christmas drinks? Why not try our Chai Tea Latte, Slow Cooker Mulled Wine or Snowman Hot Chocolate? Or take a look at our collection of 25 of the best Christmas Drinks.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Apple juice - The base of this recipe for mulled apple juice. As it is the main ingredient, the quality is important, so try to buy the best one you can.
- Orange - Adds some lovely zestiness. You can swap this for lemon if you prefer.
- Cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg - All the lovely warming spices. Fresh ginger, allspice berries and star anise can also be used.
- Honey - Adds some sweetness to the drink. Easily swap for maple syrup or sugar.
Mulled Apple Juice Variations
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. You could also add a splash of cranberry juice to this spiced apple juice too. If you did want to make a boozy version of this, you could use cider instead of apple juice.
Speaking of alcoholic Christmas drinks, have you tried our Christmas Punch of Slow Cooker Mulled Wine?
How to Make Mulled Apple Juice - Step by Step
- Step 1: Pour the apple juice into a pan and gently squeeze some of the juice from the orange quarters into a saucepan. Add the cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods.
- Step 2: Stud the orange quarters with the cloves and add to the pan with the honey. Heat through over a low heat until warm.
- Step 3: Sieve into mugs with a little grated nutmeg on top.
Alcohol-Free Christmas Drinks
It can be hard enough going to a Christmas party and being one of the only people not drinking. But, it's even worse when you are just offered some water or Cola whilst everyone is enjoying fancy festive cocktails.
If you are hosting a Christmas party this year, then why not serve this mulled apple juice 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!
Extra Tips
- Don't let the hot apple juice mixture boil, as it needs to simmer gently.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 spiced rum or vodka to.
Yes, if you are making this for a party then you can make it ahead of time, ready for your guests to arrive. Your kitchen will smell amazing when they arrive too. You can just warm it up when they arrive, as it is best served warm.
Yes, and this is ideal if you are making it for a party. Put all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours. You can keep it on warm in the slow cooker too.
I would recommend that you drink this on the same day it is made, as it tastes better fresh. However, if you do have leftovers then once it is cooled it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More Drink Recipes
If you’ve tried this Mulled Apple Juice, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Mulled Apple Juice
Ingredients
- 500 ml (2 cups) Apple Juice
- 1 Orange - (cut into quarters)
- 12 Cloves
- 2 Cardamon pods - crushed
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- Ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Pour 500 ml Apple Juice into a pan and gently squeeze some of the juice from 1 Orange quarters into the pan. Add 2 Cinnamon sticks and 2 Cardamon pods.
- Stud 1 Orange quarters with 12 Cloves and add to the pan with 1 tablespoon Honey. Heat through until warm.
- Sieve into mugs with a little Ground nutmeg on top.
Recipe Tips
- Don't let the mixture boil, as it needs to simmer gently.
- 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.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Elaine Mera says
We are trying to stay off the booze until Christmas, as we will be drinking a lot, so this looks ideal. I might even make some night if I can get to the supermarket.
StressedMum says
I love mulled drinks in the winter, this sounds really nice, will be trying this as christmas approaches x
Margot @ Coffee & Vanilla says
This is such a great alternative to mulled wine!! This time of the year I love warm spicy drinks any time of the day and preparing apple juice this way is a brilliant idea :)
The London Mum says
I've bought a few of these in starbucks recently, but making them at home would be so much cheaper and probably healthier too!
Laura Hartley says
I've always thought that drinks are a waste of calories (and money!) so I don't really drink anything but water. More people need to be careful of energy drinks as you say!
Helen at Casa Costello says
I couldn't agree more about energy drinks - I am so glad that at last, the word is spreading about how potentially bad they are. I do not allow my daughter, who trains at an elite level 7 days per week, to have them anymore and she has noticed no dip in her energy levels. In fact, I think she seems steadier. It concerns me that our high school have supposedly banned energy drinks but do nothing about the hundreds of kids that still bring them to school.
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
That sound lovely - a delicious warming drink for a cold day. Makes a healthy change from all the hot chocolate we seem to drink at this time of year, too!
David @ Spiced says
These photos are amazing, Dannii! And that mulled apple cider...yes! Pass me the entire pot, please. Nothing screams Christmas and the holidays like hot apple cider loaded with spices! I think I can literally smell this through my computer screen. Ok, maybe not literally. But almost.
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Energy drinks scare me! I think I will stick to my coffee!
This spiced cider looks like the perfect Holiday drink! Thanks for sharing!
Alison says
This looks lovely and i bet it smells festive. I never drink energy drinks, never liked the taste or the idea. Its a bit scary to find out about them though
[email protected] says
Thus looks tasty. Perfect for the holiday season coming up.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This mulled cider sounds delicious, Dannii! I always crave hot drinks when the weather gets colder, so I would love to try this out!
Helen says
They charge a fortune for this kind of thing at the Christmas markets, so I am going to save my money and try making it myself.
Thanks for the recipe!
Scarlett says
I bet this smells amazing when it is cooking.
I was obsessed with Red Bull all the way through uni and I think it has messed up my energy levels even now.
[email protected] says
This looks amazing Dannii. A far healthier Christmas option that I'd rather choose! :-)
Lynne and I were just discussing the amount of sugar content in a particular well known coffee chains "mulled fruits" option this year. They've put more sugar content in that drink meant for one, than I would normally use in a whole baking recipe meant for 12! Seriously!
This is pinned. Thanks! :D