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.
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
Mulled drinks always make me feel so festive! Loving this non-alcoholic version.
Julie's Notebook says
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 says
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 can't stand 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 says
Ooh this sounds very warming, I like hot drinks during the colder months xxx
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
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 :)
Brittany says
I'm definitely a water kinda gal, but this looks great!
Ana De- Jesus says
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 says
This sounds like a brilliant alternative to wine - and yes, definitely to energy drinks! Yum :)
Harriet Emily says
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 says
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 says
I love mulled cider but I love the fact this is non alcoholic. Means I can have more of it!
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 :)
Ickle Pickle says
This looks yummy - one of our local Christmas Fairs were selling it last year - I will try it this year. Kaz x