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 the perfect drink for serving up at a party for those that want an alcohol free option.
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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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Mulled Apple Juice Ingredients
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.
- Whole 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
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 hard 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 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 the liquid into mugs with a little grated nutmeg on top.
Dannii's 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.
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
Hot Mulled Apple Juice (Spiced 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
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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.
Rachel says
How could this not be so perfect for weather like this, I love that is the non-alcohol version too x
Ashley says
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 says
This is such a great drink for around the holidays, I want a giant glass right now :)
Claire says
Thanks for the recipe, I'll definitely be making this! Yummy!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy says
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.
MissPond says
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.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
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 says
I've never really made anything like this before, but if it tastes as good as it sounds then I may do :)
Carl b
Rach @ This Italian Family says
It is super easy to drink a lot of calories! This looks like a great alternative!
Jacqui Brough says
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 says
Mulling spices are one of my favorite staples of the holidays, and mulled cider literally makes me feel like a child going Christmas shopping.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
I love hot mulled drinks, but only tried the ones with berries. I bet this one with apple must be awesome. Perfect for this festive season.
Anna @AnnaTheApple says
Urgh I can't stand energy drinks. Makes me feel really sick! And mixed with alcohol is even worse. But it's so popular! Fairly scary.
Love this mulled cider drink, sounds lush. At Christmas I love mulled wine. So aromatic and warming.
Rhian says
I'm not usually a fan of mulled drinks but I think i'd make it just for the smell! I agree about energy drinks though I don't drink them because my brother used to get bad palpitations because he used to drink about 4 big cans of Monster a day! x
Tori Gabriel says
Energy drinks are terrifying. I had a workmate that would get through about five a day. I tried telling him but I think he's still drinking them. What is truly terrifying is the amount of school children I see buying these on their way to school.
This drink sounds so much better for you (and it sounds delicious too).