Now that the weather is starting to get (a little!) cooler, I’m craving to sit on the couch with cozy blankets and sip a hot drink. Mulled cider is a favorite drink for cold days! This version adds the health benefits of elderberry for an even tastier version.
Unlike tart blueberries, elderberry brings a milder flavor with musky undertones. It pairs well with sweet apples and aromatic spices. You can prepare it on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. Either way, it makes the house smell great!
Hot Apple Cider
Apple cider is a fall classic, made with spices for mulled wine and cider. Some recipes also call for brown sugar, maple syrup, or other sweeteners. I find that once cooked, the apples provide plenty of sweetness on their own. Unlike filtered apple juice, cider is richer and has more flavor.
The same spices also work in wine to make a mulled wine recipe. You can also find my slow cooker apple cider recipe here. This version, instead of using apple cider, uses apple slices cooked in water. I find it easier to make from scratch when we have plenty of seasonal apples on hand.
Beneficial spices
Spices don’t just add flavor, they also have significant health benefits. Warming spices boost the immune system during the winter months. Flavors like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cardamom pods, and fresh ginger are naturally antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal, helping to ward off winter illnesses. Plus, they help keep us feeling warm and cozy.
Spices like cinnamon and cloves are rubefacients and draw blood to the surface of the skin. Increased circulation to our outer layer means we feel more toasty and refreshed. They also help with digestion (for those times we’ve eaten too many Christmas cookies!).
What makes this mulled cider recipe different is the addition of elderberries. This gives you the antiviral benefits of elderberry syrup to fight the flu, but in a hot drink. On their own, elderberries don’t have much flavor, but they enhance the benefits of the cider. You can read more about the benefits of elderberries here.
Mulled Cider in a Slow Cooker or on the Stovetop
I usually make this dish in my slow cooker so I don’t have to keep an eye on it at the stove. Either version will work, but I recommend cooking it without the lid. The tempting aroma of warm apples and spices wafting through the air gives it a seasonal feel. Make it on Halloween or Christmas Day before serving it to your guests (or family).
Cider Ingredient Options
There are many different combinations and variations you can make with mulled cider. If you have some spices ready to make it, feel free to use them along with the elderberry. Some options include:
- whole allspice berries
- cardamom pods
- cranberry juice
- slices of fresh ginger
- peppercorns
- cinnamon sticks
- whole cloves
- orange slices or orange peel
- lemon slices
The recipe below is my favorite, but feel free to adjust the quantities and ingredients to suit your preferences.
Mulled cider with elderberries recipe
This fragrant hot cider contains the health benefits of elderberries. A great way to warm up and boost your immune system in the colder months!
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Add the apple cider, elderberries, fruit slices, and spices to a large pot or Dutch oven.
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Bring to a boil and then reduce to a very low heat for an hour.
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Once the cider is fragrant, strain out the spices and fruit using a sieve or cheesecloth. These can be composted.
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Serve the cider in jugs, decorate as you like and drink it hot.
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Store leftovers in the refrigerator and warm them on the stove before serving or enjoy them cold.
Nutritional data
Mulled cider with elderberries recipe
Amount per serving (1 cup)
Calories 159
Calories from fat 5
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.5 g1%
Saturated fat 0.1 g1%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.2 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.03 g
Sodium 13 mg1%
Potassium 367 mg10%
Carbohydrates 39 grams13%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 32g36%
Protein 1 gram2%
Vitamin A 55 IU1%
Vitamin C 15 mg18%
Calcium 46 mg5%
Iron 1 mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
- You can also prepare it in the slow cooker. Add the ingredients and cook on low heat for 3 or 4 hours.
- Do not add raw, dried elderberries as a garnish. Elderberries can cause digestive problems if not cooked first.
How to decorate elderberry cider
Get out your favorite mug and add some garnishes if you like. After the cider is cooked and strained, try fresh apple slices or orange slices. You can even use a large cinnamon stick to stir in and add flavor. Or you can make a hot toddy with a splash of rum.
If you want more recipes with elderberries, try these elderberry gummies. My kids love them!
What spices do you like in your mulled cider? Leave a comment and let us know!
