Spiced warming aromatic beverage (Printable Format)
A cozy, aromatic drink featuring cinnamon, cloves, and fresh orange slices.
# What You Need:
→ Base
01 - 4 cups apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
→ Spices
02 - 2 cinnamon sticks
03 - 4 whole cloves
04 - 2 star anise
05 - 5 allspice berries
06 - 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
→ Sweetener & Flavor
07 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, optional
08 - 1 orange, sliced
→ Garnish
09 - Additional orange slices, optional
10 - Cinnamon sticks, optional
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a medium saucepan, combine apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, allspice berries, and sliced ginger.
02 - Add orange slices and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
03 - Lower heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes to let the spices infuse.
04 - Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove spices and fruit solids.
05 - Stir in honey or maple syrup, if using, until fully dissolved.
06 - Ladle into mugs and garnish with fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks, if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It fills your whole kitchen with an aroma that makes everyone ask what you're making.
- Ready in 20 minutes but tastes like you've been planning it all day.
- Naturally sweet without being heavy, and it works for kids and grown-ups alike.
- One saucepan means barely any cleanup, so you can actually enjoy what you made.
02 -
- Don't let it boil hard—gentle simmering extracts flavor, violent boiling just makes it taste bitter and harsh.
- A fine mesh sieve is non-negotiable; cheesecloth clogs and you'll end up with grit in your cup.
03 -
- Buy whole spices from a store where they actually sell them regularly—they're more potent and the flavor difference is real.
- If you're making this ahead, brew it without the sweetener, then add honey or syrup when you reheat; it tastes fresher that way.