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.
Matej @ CookWeWill says
Now this was a great drink! Everyone in my family loved it. And it's super simple to prepare too. Great recipe.
Tayler says
We make this for the holidays every year and my whole family LOVES it! Full of spice and delicious!
Katherine says
This is a perfect non alcoholic version! Great that the whole family can enjoy it.
Ieva says
A delicious drink that kept us warm last night whilst we gathered around the fire with the family, celebrating my nephew's birthday! Will definitely make it all the way through winter!
urbanremedyasia says
This drink is really healthy and tasty. I tried this morning. Thanks for sharing it with us.
lily says
Thanks for Sharing
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
Mulled drinks always make me feel so festive! Loving this non-alcoholic version.
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 :)
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!