Homemade spiced apple mulled cider

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Hjemmelaget eplegløgg med julekrydder

Few things bring the feeling of Christmas quite like the aroma of warm spices and homemade mulled drinks. This spiced apple drink combines fresh apple juice with orange, lemon, cinnamon, vanilla and star anise. The result is a wonderfully aromatic and flavourful drink, perfect for cold winter days.

The recipe starts with a spiced apple concentrate that is left to infuse overnight, allowing the flavours to develop. Mix it with apple juice for a non-alcoholic Christmas drink, or with white wine for a festive variation for adults.

Homemade spiced apple mulled cider recipe

Cooking time: Approx. 15 minutes
Infusing time: Overnight in the fridge

Ingredients for the spiced apple concentrate

  • 2 oranges
  • 1 lemon
  • 700 ml apple juice
  • ½ vanilla pod
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp whole cloves

To serve

  • Apple juice or white wine
  • Sugar or honey, to taste
  • Raisins and chopped or blanched almonds
  • Optional orange slices and cinnamon sticks, to garnish

How to make spiced apple mulled cider

  1. Prepare the fruit: Wash the oranges and lemon thoroughly, then cut them into thin slices.
  2. Add the spices: Place the fruit slices in a saucepan and pour over the apple juice. Add the vanilla pod, star anise, cinnamon sticks and cloves.
  3. Bring to the boil: Bring the mixture to the boil, then simmer gently for approximately 15 minutes.
  4. Leave to infuse: Allow the mixture to cool, then cover and refrigerate overnight. This gives the spices time to infuse and develop their flavour.
  5. Strain and store: Strain out the fruit and spices, then pour the concentrate into a clean Norgesglasset glass bottle. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
  6. Heat and serve: Combine the concentrate with apple juice or white wine in a saucepan. Adjust the quantities to taste until you reach your preferred strength. Heat gently without boiling if using wine. Add sugar or honey to taste, if needed.

Serve warm in heat-resistant glasses with raisins and almonds. Garnish with an orange slice or cinnamon stick if you like.

Tips for the perfect spiced apple drink

Choose good-quality apple juice.
Natural, preferably unfiltered apple juice gives a fuller, fresher apple flavour.

Adjust the flavour
For a milder drink, add more apple juice. For a stronger spiced flavour, use more of the concentrate.

Prepare the concentrate in advance
Store it in a clean, airtight bottle in the fridge for approximately 3–4 days, or freeze it if you want to prepare it further ahead.

Homemade spiced apple concentrate as a Christmas gift

A bottle of homemade spiced apple concentrate makes a lovely gift during the festive season. Pour the concentrate into a clean Norgesglasset glass bottle and decorate it with a ribbon and a small label.

Include a simple note explaining how to mix the concentrate with apple juice or white wine before serving. It makes a thoughtful, personal gift to enjoy on a cold winter day.

Homemade gifts don't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's the little things we make ourselves that are appreciated the most.

Norgesglasset glass bottles

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