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My sister in law gave a jar full of an amazing Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix for Christmas one year. I loved it so much I hardly dared to use any of it because I was scared I’d run out of it too fast. But of course it eventually happened and I had to recreate it in my kitchen, so it turned into this recipe which is so easy to make with just a few ingredients.
What’s to love
- Simple, thoughtful gift: Homemade Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix recipe with a sweet printable gift label – the perfect easy DIY Christmas gift.
- Perfectly spiced: Just enough spice for warmth without overpowering your drink.
- Versatile: Use it in hot apple juice, apple cider, mulled wine or even to roll your snickerdoodles in!
This makes for the perfect DIY Christmas food gift! I like to gift it with a bottle of nice apple juice (or red wine) that people can stir this into. It’s always very well received.
Printable recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups sugar
- 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon ground nutmeg
- ½ tablespoon ground cloves
Tips
Instructions
- Prep:I used 8-oz jars for the images, but you can use 4-oz jars just as well if it's for a small present, or if you're making a large amount (eg as party favors).Get your ingredients and your preferred jars ready.
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl – I use a whisk to get the spices evenly distributed.4 cups sugar, 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon, ½ tablespoon ground nutmeg, ½ tablespoon ground cloves
- Fill the mix into individual jars, or store in a large airtight container if you're making a big batch for an event.
- Use about 1 tablespoon per quart of liquid. Less sweet liquids (like wine or cranberry juice) can use a little more.
Hot Apple Cider Cinnamon Spice Mix
make your kitchen smell like home?Apple cider spice mix questions, answered
I like to gift this in ~8oz jars, but 4oz jars work as well for a smaller gift.
Any jar with a tight-fitting lid works. Ball jars, Weck jars, an old clean jam jar!
To use in a drink, stir about 1 tablespoon into a quart of warm/hot liquid. You can add more for a sweeter, more spiced drink; or use less for just a hint of sweetness and spice.
You can also use it in any recipe that calls for cinnamon sugar, to add a little extra spice kick!
Store it well closed in a dry cupboard. Make sure you don’t introduce liquid or humidity into the jar. As long as your ingredients don’t expire earlier, it keeps well for about a year before the spices start losing their flavor.
Perfect to serve with
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Madelyn says
Hi, I am looking forward to trying this recipe. it does sound like a cute gift idea. I find the quantity of sugar would be too much for our taste buds and health. I am going to try it with a much lesser amount. One of the comments below tried it without sugar, have you ever tried it like that? Thank you very much for posting these types of recipes. Enjoy the beautiful autumn season.
Nora says
Madelyn, I think it you make it completely without sugar it’s more of an apple pie spice mix – which is also very delicious! You can definitely add the spices without sugar to a drink, just be mindful of the amount you use since you lose the volume of the sugar.
Pat says
I would like to make this as small gifts for my coworkers. I am interested in knowing what you mix this with. Do you use apple juice?
Nora says
Hey Pat, what a sweet idea to make this as gifts for your coworkers! 🍎 For the mix, you can definitely use apple juice—it’s actually my favorite way to enjoy it! Just warm up some apple juice, stir in a spoonful (or to taste) of the spice mix, and let it simmer for a bit to let all those cozy flavors shine.
If you want to switch things up, you could also use apple cider if you have access to it — it gives an extra depth of flavor since it’s usually less sweet and more tangy. And hey, if someone loves tea, they could even sprinkle a little in with some hot tea for a lightly spiced drink.
Your coworkers are going to love these thoughtful gifts! 💛 Let me know how it turns out!
Terri N says
Has anyone used this in a cold punch, maybe mixed with apple cider and ginger ale? Maybe with a bit of rum, or wine?
Nora says
Hey Terri, hat sounds like such a fun idea! I haven’t tried it in a cold punch myself, but I think it would work beautifully. Mixing it with apple cider and ginger ale sounds so refreshing, and adding a bit of rum or wine would give it a great festive kick. You could dissolve the spice mix in a little warm apple cider first to make sure all those flavors and the sugar blend nicely, then chill it and mix with the ginger ale or wine right before serving.
Let me know if you try it — I bet it’ll be a hit at your party! Cheers! 🥂🍎✨
Pat says
Love it! Perfect DIY quick shareable treat of great warm seasonal flavors. I will give to girlfriends, and ready to use for a hostess gift, may pair with a bottle of wine!
Suzanne says
Do you have a measurement amount should someone want to add it to a mug/glass of apple juice etc ?
Nora says
Hi Suzanne! If you’re looking to add the Hot Apple Cider Cinnamon Spice Mix to a single mug of apple juice, a good starting point is about ½ teaspoon per 8-ounce cup. This should give you a nice balance of flavors. Feel free to adjust to your taste—add a little more if you like it spicier or a bit less if you prefer a milder flavor. Enjoy your cozy drink!
Kathy says
i made this added it to my dried apple powder tasted just like alpine apple cider mix
DeeDee says
I would love to know how you make the apple powder, please and thank you
Mom2_10 says
How much apple powder did you mix in with this recipe. I am so excited to try this recipe.
Rita Smith says
that’s what I thought ! I added 1 cup of apples(dehydrated and powdered)!!!
Sauna says
How much dried apple powder? Do you use a specific type? I would love to try it! Thank you in advance.
April says
They are dehydrating in their own at home dehydrators. Wash, core and slice your apples and dehydrate them, you can also dehydrate them in your oven on 150-175 degrees for approximately 2-6 hours depending on the thickness, checking periodically for crispness making sure there’s no moisture whatsoever because it will cause mold.
Margaret Stewart says
Do you know if you peel first?
April says
My apologies I know my post is very current but I’m new to her website and thought I would answer just incase anyone new happens to need an answer 🙂
Karen S says
How much dried apple powder did you add?
April says
That would be to your liking, also that would be hard to predict, considering, the desired thickness of the slices cut per person that dehydrates their apples. I would just adjust to your taste preferences 🙂
Janie Gray says
We had a neighborhood gathering on a cool day. I chose to make Hot Apple Cider using this Cinnamon Spice Mix. It was delicious and a huge hit! I am making more to give as Christmas gifts.
Tammy Dickson says
What kind of liquid did you use?
Michell says
Can you substitute splenda for the sugar in this?
Nora says
Michell, other readers have done so before and found it to work just fine – but I haven’t personally tried it! I would recommend making up/testing a small amount first to see if it’s to your taste. Hope this helps!
Carole Stacey says
Thank you Nora for this delicious recipe! I made it for home use without the sugar and I love it! I like my drinks without added sugar most of the time. But the recipe with sugar would make a very cute gift basket item. I got your labels (Thank you so much for this!) and I plan on gifting it.
Nora says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Carole! And you’re very welcome for the labels.
Edna Wiltcher says
Hey Nora,
where do you get the labels for the hot apple cinnamon spice for gifting. nice Christmas gift to my church ladies group. Thank you. So glad I ran across this on pjnterest.
Nora says
Hey Edna!
So lovely to hear from you, and I’m thrilled you’re making the spice mix for your church ladies — what a thoughtful gift! For the labels, I used my free printable you can get here. I printed them on regular paper, then just cut them out and used some school glue to attach them to the jars.
Hope that helps! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!