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. This spiced apple juice is 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.
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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Why you will love it
- A delicious non alcoholic Christmas drink - It can be easy to overdo it on alcohol at Christmas time. If you don't drink, or you want other options, this mulled apple juice recipe is a delicious way to not drink and not feel like you are missing out.
- Perfect for serving up at a party - Having a Christmas party this year? Serve this hot apple juice as your guests arrive. It will be a lovely way to warm them up as they come in from the cold.
- Only a few ingredients - Just a few simple ingredients, and nothing fancy, go into making this mulled apple juice.
Ingredients needed
- Apple juice - The base of this 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.
- Honey - Adds some sweetness to the drink. Easily swap for maple syrup or sugar.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make Mulled Apple Juice - 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. Add the cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods.
Two: Stud the orange quarters with the cloves and add to the pan with the honey. Heat through until warm.
Three: Sieve into mugs with a little grated nutmeg on top.
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 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!
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. 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?
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.
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 this is made and drunk on the same day, as it tastes better fresh. However, if you do have leftovers then once it is cooled it can be stored in an air tight 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.
Brittany
I'm definitely a water kinda gal, but this looks great!
Ana De- Jesus
I had a mulled berry drink the other day it was made using an innocent berry smoothie, hot water and heated orange slices. Mulled apple sounds lovely.
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
This sounds like a brilliant alternative to wine - and yes, definitely to energy drinks! Yum :)
Harriet Emily
This looks delicious Dannii! I don't drink alcohol, so this drink is absolutely perfect for me! I can't wait to try it :)
Jeanne Horak-Druiff
Oh I love drinking warm mulled drinks this time of year (although I am afraid you will struggle to get me away from mulled wine!). Love the flavours in this option - and so glad that people are beginning to realise the dangers of energy drinks. I've always thought they are vile!
Ellen
I love mulled cider but I love the fact this is non alcoholic. Means I can have more of it!
Rachel
How could this not be so perfect for weather like this, I love that is the non-alcohol version too x
Ashley
Oh I love this! One of my friends made mulled cider recently for me and it was delicious! I need to try this myself!!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
This is such a great drink for around the holidays, I want a giant glass right now :)
Ickle Pickle
This looks yummy - one of our local Christmas Fairs were selling it last year - I will try it this year. Kaz x
Claire
Thanks for the recipe, I'll definitely be making this! Yummy!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy
Yum! This sounds so festive and I love the holiday colors to it. I agree with you on energy drinks - I had to do a case study on them for my nutrition degree and they are no good for reasons you mentioned above and many more. Also, we often don't need the additional vitamins they market through their energy drinks.
Sarah Bailey
Ohh wow I so need to try this - what a fantastic sounding drink. x
MissPond
I really am not a fan of energy drinks or mulled drinks for that matter! I definitely to keep my eye on my fizzy drink intake over xmas though.
Hannah Wood
Wow I love the look of this and good to make your own.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
I have never had one single energy drink in my life...actually am never a fan of any soft drink. Your apple drink looks warming and beautiful, Dannii.
Carl B
I've never really made anything like this before, but if it tastes as good as it sounds then I may do :)
Carl b
http://www.ablokeseyeview.co.uk
Rach @ This Italian Family
It is super easy to drink a lot of calories! This looks like a great alternative!
Jacqui Brough
I'm always after a new christmas drink! I love the Ribena Mulled Spices juice, and after emptying that bottle I was on the hunt! I'm so glad that I have found this!
Jacqui
thebroughblog.weebly.com
Susie @ SuzLyfe
Mulling spices are one of my favorite staples of the holidays, and mulled cider literally makes me feel like a child going Christmas shopping.