Self Care Inside and Out with Hot Apple Cider

by Sarah K. Grundy  with image by Simply Living Well

Keep your wellness in the forefront with yummy practices for self care inside and out. Boost your immunity and spirits this season with soul warming Hot Apple Cider! Also called Mulled Apple Cider, a fragrant and flavorful libation is sure to keep you centered. Full of seasonal spices and simmered raw fruits, a cup of hot Apple Cider imbibes the beauties of Autumn, and the benefits spill over into other areas of your life.

The benefits of hot apple cider, aside from deliciousness, are abundant. Improve your skin, pH levels, mood, energy, digestion and more with a magical, antioxidant rich cup of steaming apple cider.

Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Among the many perks of making Apple Cider from scratch is the way it fills your home with an unforgettable aroma! Variety is the spice of life, so be creative with your hot apple cider recipe. See below for a guide.

You will need spices such as cinnamon sticks, whole clove, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, elderberry and orange zest. You don’t need all of these ingredients- you can alter according to your tastes and availability. Using all powder spices is absolutely fine. 

Use a mixture of Granny Smith, Gala or Golden Delicious apples for flavor, plus fresh oranges. Another benefit to making your own cider is choosing the way you sweeten. Organic maple syrup is your most nutritious option, but any sweetener works great. You will also need a strainer, wooden spoon, and a large pot. 

Ingredients for 12 servings:

• 10-12 sliced medium apples (quartered)
• 2 oranges, quartered
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tbsp whole cloves
• Optional: 1 teaspoon whole allspice, 1 whole nutmeg, and/or 1 tbsp fresh ginger, 1 tbsp Elderberry for added immune boosting
• 16 cups water, approximately
• 1/2 cup organic maple syrup or other sweetener

Instructions:

• Combine your ingredients in a large pot.  Add apples, oranges and spices Cover with water, leaving a little space at the top.
• Heat the cider over high heat to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the apples are completely soft.
• Dance while you wait.
• Mash the apples and oranges using a potato masher or a wooden spoon. Take a minute to mash all of the apples and oranges against the side of the pot to release more of their flavors. Cover and simmer for 1 more hour.
• Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain out all of the solids, pressing them against the strainer to release all of their juices. Sweeten and stir.

For presentation, add a few fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks. You can store in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. If you’re feeling less like preparing and more like treating yourself, you can order prepared apple cider like Mystic Jagger’s beautifully packaged preparations.

Make it a Bath Ritual 

Bring more spice into your life and bath rituals by adding both bubbles, bath oils and a hot cup of apple cider. Ignite aromatic candles, dim the lights and bring your soothing cup of hot apple cider with you to your next soak. No worries if you spill your cider into your bath, the ingredients are as good for your insides as your outsides. Add our Hair and Body Castor Oil and Body Cleanser to your bath, followed by a deeply nourishing moisture routine for a truly sumptuous bathing experience.

This year may not look like others before it, but we hope you know we’re thankful for you today and every day. Know that you deserve to take time to make the season about you and sip it slowly.