Homemade Pumpkin Apple Cider
Pumpkin apple cider combines two favorite fall flavors in one warm, fragrant drink. Apple cider provides natural sweetness and brightness, while pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg make it taste rich and cozy.
This easy recipe can be prepared on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. It is a lovely choice for a quiet fall evening, Halloween party, Thanksgiving gathering, or afternoon spent decorating for the season.
What Does Pumpkin Apple Cider Taste Like?
Pumpkin apple cider tastes like traditional spiced cider with a softer, richer finish.
The apple remains the primary flavor. Pumpkin puree adds body and a gentle earthy sweetness, while mulling spices create the familiar aroma of autumn.
It is not as thick or creamy as a pumpkin latte. Think of it as mulled apple cider with a subtle pumpkin-pie twist.
Pumpkin Apple Cider Recipe
Makes: Approximately four servings
Preparation time: About 20 minutes
Ingredients
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4 cups apple cider
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½ cup pumpkin puree
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2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar, optional
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2 cinnamon sticks
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4 whole cloves
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4 whole allspice berries
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2 thin slices of fresh ginger
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¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 orange, sliced
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Small pinch of salt
Use plain pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling.
If your apple cider is already very sweet, you may not need any additional maple syrup or brown sugar.
How to Make Pumpkin Apple Cider on the Stovetop
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
Pour the apple cider into a medium saucepan.
Whisk in the pumpkin puree until it is evenly distributed. Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, orange slices, and salt.
Wait to add the vanilla until the end.
Step 2: Warm the Cider
Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to steam.
Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer for approximately 15 minutes. Stir or whisk occasionally to prevent the pumpkin from settling on the bottom.
Do not allow the cider to boil vigorously.
Step 3: Strain
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Strain out the whole spices, ginger, and orange slices. For an extra-smooth drink, pour the cider through a fine-mesh strainer.
Step 4: Taste and Serve
Taste the cider and add maple syrup or brown sugar if additional sweetness is needed.
Pour it into mugs and garnish with apple slices, orange slices, or cinnamon sticks.
How to Make Pumpkin Apple Cider With Mulling Spices
A prepared mulling spice blend makes this recipe even easier.
Instead of measuring the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg separately, add the recommended amount of mulling spices for four cups of cider.
Place loose spices in a reusable spice infuser, muslin bag, or piece of cheesecloth tied securely with kitchen twine. This allows the flavors to infuse while making the cider easy to strain.
Combine:
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4 cups apple cider
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½ cup pumpkin puree
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The recommended amount of mulling spices
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1 sliced orange
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½ teaspoon vanilla
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Maple syrup or brown sugar to taste
Warm the mixture gently for approximately 15–20 minutes.
Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Apple Cider
A slow cooker is ideal when serving pumpkin cider at a party or fall gathering.
Ingredients
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1 gallon apple cider
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1½ cups pumpkin puree
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4 cinnamon sticks
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1 tablespoon whole cloves
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1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
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1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
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2 oranges, sliced
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1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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2 teaspoons vanilla
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Maple syrup or brown sugar to taste
Directions
Add everything except the vanilla and sweetener to the slow cooker.
Cook on low for approximately two to three hours. Stir occasionally to keep the pumpkin incorporated.
Remove the spices, ginger, and orange slices. Stir in the vanilla, taste, and add sweetener if needed.
Switch the slow cooker to the warm setting for serving.
You can also replace the individual spices with your favorite prepared mulling spice blend.
Can You Make Pumpkin Cider Without Pumpkin Puree?
Yes. If you want pumpkin-inspired flavor without the texture of puree, use pumpkin pie spice or pumpkin-flavored syrup.
For four cups of cider, begin with approximately one teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Whisk thoroughly and add more only after tasting.
Pumpkin syrup usually contains sweetener, so reduce or omit the maple syrup in the recipe.
This version will be thinner and clearer than cider made with real pumpkin.
How to Keep the Pumpkin From Settling
Pumpkin puree does not completely dissolve in cider, so some settling is natural.
To keep the drink smoother:
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Whisk the pumpkin into a small amount of cider before adding the rest.
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Stir the cider occasionally while it warms.
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Use an immersion blender briefly before straining.
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Whisk the cider again immediately before serving.
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Serve it from a slow cooker with a ladle so it is naturally stirred throughout the event.
Settling does not mean the cider has gone bad. It simply needs to be stirred.
How to Make Cold Pumpkin Apple Cider
Pumpkin cider can also be served chilled.
Prepare the recipe normally, strain it, and allow it to cool. Refrigerate it in a covered container until cold.
Shake or stir well before pouring it over ice. Garnish with a thin apple slice and cinnamon stick.
For a sparkling version, fill each glass approximately two-thirds full with cold pumpkin cider and top it with sparkling water or ginger ale.
Pumpkin Cider Mocktail
Turn the recipe into a festive fall mocktail.
Fill a glass with ice and add:
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¾ cup chilled pumpkin apple cider
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¼ cup ginger beer or sparkling water
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Squeeze of fresh orange
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Thin apple slice
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Cinnamon stick
For a sugared rim, dip the edge of the glass in maple syrup and then into a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Optional Flavor Additions
Customize your cider with:
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Cranberries
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Star anise
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Cardamom pods
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Maple syrup
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Brown sugar
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Caramel sauce
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Fresh lemon peel
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Rosemary
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Vanilla bean
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A tiny pinch of black pepper
Introduce stronger spices gradually. Cloves, star anise, and cardamom can easily overpower the apple and pumpkin.
What to Serve With Pumpkin Apple Cider
Pumpkin cider pairs well with:
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Apple crisp
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Pumpkin bread
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Cinnamon doughnuts
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Maple cookies
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Soft pretzels
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Cheese and crackers
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Roasted nuts
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Caramel apples
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Savory fall soups
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Thanksgiving appetizers
It is also an easy nonalcoholic drink for Halloween and Thanksgiving gatherings.
Can You Make It Ahead of Time?
Yes. Prepare and strain the cider, then allow it to cool. Transfer it to a covered container and refrigerate promptly.
Use it within three to four days.
The pumpkin and spices will settle during storage, so shake or whisk the cider before reheating. Warm it gently on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in individual mugs in the microwave.
Make Your Home Smell Like Fall
Pumpkin apple cider tastes cozy, but the aroma may be just as enjoyable. As the cider warms, orange, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and apple fill the kitchen with the scent of fall.
Use individual spices or simplify the recipe with a prepared mulling spice blend. Either way, it is an easy seasonal drink that can be made for one quiet evening or scaled up for an entire gathering.
Visit Calhoun Farmstead to shop our Mulling Spices, loose-leaf teas, culinary herbs, and other seasonal favorites for fall.
Cool mornings, earlier sunsets, colorful leaves, cozy blankets, and the return of all those wonderful apple, pumpkin, cinnamon, chai, and spice flavors make autumn the perfect season to explore tea. Here are some FALL TEA links you might enjoy!
Cozy Fall Teas & Herbs
Fall Tea Recipes
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Homemade Chai Tea Latte
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Apple Cinnamon Tea
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Maple Tea Latte
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Pumpkin Spice Tea Latte
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Vanilla Chai
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Honey Cinnamon Tea
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Spiced Black Tea
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Fall Tea Punch
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Slow Cooker Tea for Fall Gatherings
Fall Tea Resources
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Best Teas for Fall
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Cozy Teas for Chilly Fall Evenings
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Fall Tea Flavors to Try This Season
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Best Spices for a Warming Cup of Tea
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How to Create the Perfect Fall Tea Collection
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Black Teas for Sweater Weather
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Herbal Teas for Cozy Fall Nights