By Becky Hardin
Updated Mar 13, 2025
This Hot Cranberry Apple Spiced Cider is a warm and flavorful drink for the holidays. It’s easy, festive, and the perfect cozy drink to serve for a Christmas party. I absolutely love the balance of tart cranberries with sweet apple cider and warm spices. Make it with or without alcohol, either way, the flavor is amazing!
5-Star Review
“I made this for Thanksgiving and spiked it with vodka, it was sooo good and it immediately warmed you up.” -AC
Cranberry Apple Hot Cider Recipe
Holiday festivities call for the perfect hot cider, and this hot cranberry apple spiced cider is just right! Made with spiced apple cider, cranberries, cranberry juice, cinnamon, and cloves, this drink fills my whole house with an irresistible aroma. You can easily spike it with rum or everclear or your preferred liquor for an extra kick. My easy cider recipe is the ultimate drink to serve at holiday parties!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 quarts spiced apple cider 128 ounces
- ▢ 2 quarts cranberry juice 64 ounces
- ▢ 3 whole cloves
- ▢ 2 cinnamon sticks
- ▢ 2 oranges sliced
- ▢ 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ▢ 1-2 cups Everclear (add some, taste, and add more if desired)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (except the alcohol) in a large stock pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a rolling boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer and allow to simmer covered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4 quarts spiced apple cider, 2 quarts cranberry juice, 3 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 oranges, 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- Remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks.
- Transfer to a slow cooker to keep this warm for a party, or serve directly from the stovetop. Stir in Everclear (I stir in one cup, taste, and add more if desired!) 1-2 cups Everclear
- Garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick to serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cranberry Apple Spiced Cider Step by Step
Combine ingredients and simmer : Combine 4 quarts spiced apple cider, 2 quarts cranberry juice, 3 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 sliced oranges, 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries in a large stock pot or Dutch oven.
Bring to a rolling boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer and allow to simmer, covered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add your preferred liquor and serve : Remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks before serving.
Serve it straight from the stove top, or transfer to a slow cooker to keep it warm throughout the party. Stir in 1-2 cups Everclear (I stir in one cup, taste, and add more if desired).
Fill each glass and garnish with orange slices or cinnamon sticks if desired.
If you prefer to use a pressure cooker, I got you covered with my Instant Pot Apple Cider recipe instead!
How to Store
Refrigerate any leftovers of spiced cider in a pitcher for 1-3 days. Serve chilled or warm it in microwave until desired hot.
This drink can easily be prepared in advance. Just finish the cooking process and refrigerate after it cools down. When ready, add your favorite liquor and serve with garnishes!
more holiday drinks to enjoy
Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Cocktail
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Salted Caramel Eggnog
Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
Sparkling Apple Pie on the Rocks (Apple Cider Cocktail)
Holiday Sangria
Sparkling Holiday Flirtini
Festive Snow Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
Hot Cranberry Apple Spiced Cider Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 quarts spiced apple cider 128 ounces
- 2 quarts cranberry juice 64 ounces
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 oranges sliced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1-2 cups Everclear (add some, taste, and add more if desired)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (except the alcohol) in a large stock pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a rolling boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer and allow to simmer covered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4 quarts spiced apple cider, 2 quarts cranberry juice, 3 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 oranges, 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- Remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks.
- Transfer to a slow cooker to keep this warm for a party, or serve directly from the stovetop. Stir in Everclear (I stir in one cup, taste, and add more if desired!) 1-2 cups Everclear
- Garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick to serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
