Hot mulled apple juice is a deliciously spiced and warming drink. A great non-alcoholic alternative to mulled wine, for children or guests who are driving.
My mulled apple juice recipe is a drink I very much enjoy over the cold Winter months. I love mulled wine or cider, particularly once we hit December and the festivities start.
However, there are times when I don't want to drink alcohol! That's when the idea for this mulled apple juice recipe came about.
I make mulled spiced apple juice when I am enjoying a Christmas crafting afternoon with my kids. We all drink this while making something like our own Reindeer Food. After all, Santa's reindeer also need something to look forward to!
Mulled apple juice is a perfect non-alcoholic festive drink for serving to children or guests that are unable to have alcohol for one reason or another.
Hot mulled apple juice is easy to prepare!
Mulled drinks take very little in the way of preparation, more of an assembly job than anything else! This makes it ideal as a last minute serving.
Made with fresh apple juice and spiced very subtly this is a great alcohol free alternative. It can be served as a hot mulled apple juice or chilled.
Mulled drinks really come into their own over Christmas and the festive period. I particularly like to make a batch on Christmas Eve, ready to heat up as my family head home from our local Pantomime.
However, with all this talk of Christmas, don't be put off making this lovely mulled apple juice at other times of the year.
I start making this as soon as we hit September, where my thoughts always turn to apple and cinnamon. Take outdoors in a flask for a winter picnic or bonfire night.
Easily one of my favourite flavour combinations. This wonderfully spiced apple drink is so simple to make that it's something I do regularly, as a family it's something we all enjoy.
Can mulled apple juice be made ahead of time?
If having friends over this is a great drink to make ahead of time, and heated once guests arrive. Aside from making thing's much easier in terms of preparation, your kitchen will smell divine!
However, I also like to make up some just before heading out for a Winter walk. Ready to heat up quickly once we all get back, perfect for warming us up from the inside out.
Can different flavours be added to the recipe?
I like to keep flavourings simple, that way you keep the taste of apple in the drink. I tend not to add orange slices, as this can overpower the apple, a few pares of orange zest is enough. After all, this is mulled apple and not mulled orange juice.
However both orange and lemon can be added to the apple juice if you would prefer. You could also add a little ginger to the mix, but again don't be heavy handed as you want apple to be the dominant flavour.
Are there other juices I could use in place of apple juice?
Warm, spiced apple juice is my go to non alcoholic festive drink. I make it frequently throughout December and into January.
However if you're not too keen on apple juice, then substitute with something like cranberry juice and add the same spices. If you are having a Christmas party of course, you could serve both or even a mix of both.
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Additional recipe suggestions
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Hot Mulled Apple Juice
Ingredients
- 1 ltr carton of fresh apple juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ nutmeg (grated)
- 1 orange (pare off 3 long strips of zest)
Instructions
- Pour the apple juice into a large saucepan and add the remaining ingredients. Do not add the whole orange as this will overpower the apple. Simply add three long strips of pared orange zest.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes before serving.
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
Marie says
Love this recipe and making a batch for a bonfire night tomorrow. Something that both kids and driving adults can have and so simple to make. Quite happy to drive tomorrow!
Lesley says
Thank you Marie, I love this easy mulled apple juice, it's ideal for warming everyone up on Bonfire night.
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
Such a lovely alternative to alcoholic mulled wine. I love subtle flavourings that let apple juice shine through instead of being overpowered. Perfect festive drink!
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
This is such a great idea! I love mulled wine, but there are occasions when I need to drive but still want something festive to drink - this would be perfect! Eb x
Lesley says
Thank you Eb, this is exactly why I started making this recipe. I love mulled wine, but often found myself missing out due to driving. We all love it. Lesley x
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
I love the sound of this. The flavours sound delicious!
Lesley says
Thank you Cat, its such a simple straightforward recipe, ideal for serving to the whole family. Lesley
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
I love mulled apple juice when its cold very comforting and so simple im not sure why its not made more often. Thank you for the timely reminder I shall put your version to the test 🙂 Thank you for linking to #CookBlogShare.
Lesley says
Thank you Jacqui, it's a firm favourite in our house, we all love it. Lesley