Warm Spiced Apple Juice
A gently warmed apple juice steeped with cinnamon, clove and star anise, finished with bright orange slices and a touch of honey.
Ingredients
- 750 ml cloudy apple juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- 1 orange — sliced into rounds
- 1 tbsp honey — optional, to taste
Method
- Pour the cloudy apple juice into a saucepan and add the cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise.
- Add half of the orange slices, reserving the rest for serving.
- Warm over a low heat until the surface just begins to steam, around 65°C, without letting it boil.
- Hold at this gentle heat for about ten minutes so the spices can infuse.
- Taste and stir in honey if you would like a little extra sweetness.
- Strain into heatproof glasses and serve with a fresh orange slice in each.
How to serve
- Glassware
- Heatproof glass
- Serve temperature
- Warm, around 65°C
- Garnish
- Orange slice and a cinnamon stick
Warm spiced apple juice is one of the simplest winter drinks to get right, and one of the most welcoming. Cloudy apple juice gives it a soft fullness, while cinnamon, clove and star anise lend the kind of fragrance you expect from a cold-weather kitchen. A few orange slices brighten the whole thing without tipping it into sweetness.
Getting the warmth right
The key to this drink is restraint with the heat. You want the juice gently steaming at around 65°C rather than bubbling away, since a hard boil flattens the fresh apple flavour and can leave the spices tasting bitter. Keep the pan on a low setting and give the spices a full ten minutes to release their fragrance. If you have time, letting it sit off the heat for a few extra minutes deepens the infusion further.
Making it your own
A spoonful of honey is optional and best added at the end, once you have tasted the infused juice. From here the recipe takes well to small adjustments: a few slices of fresh ginger add a warming edge, while a strip of lemon peel sharpens it. For an easy grown-up version of the same flavours, a measure of Hot Apple Gin stirred into the warmed juice carries the orchard and spice notes beautifully. It is a natural partner here because the gin is built around the same apple-and-spice idea, so nothing clashes.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use clear or cloudy apple juice?
Cloudy apple juice has a fuller, more rounded flavour and a pleasant body once warmed, so it suits this drink well. Clear juice works too, though the result is a little lighter.
Can I make this ahead and reheat it?
Yes. Steep and strain the juice, then reheat gently when needed. Avoid bringing it to the boil, as prolonged high heat dulls the fresh apple character.
How do I stop it tasting too sweet?
Leave out the honey to begin with and taste once the spices have infused. A squeeze of orange can balance the sweetness if it feels too rich.
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