Mulled Miso Apple Cider Recipe

Prepare spices and fruit

Lightly crush the cardamom pods with the flat side of a knife to release the seeds. Thinly slice the orange (leave peel on) and the fresh ginger. Measure out cinnamon sticks, star anise, and allspice berries.

In a medium saucepan, combine 6 cups apple cider and 1 cup water. Add the sliced orange, sliced ginger, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 star anise, 8 allspice berries, and the crushed 6 cardamom pods.

Stir in 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture just to a simmer (do not boil). Once simmering, reduce heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.

Simmer gently, uncovered or partially covered, for 20–25 minutes to allow the spices and citrus to infuse the cider. Taste after 15 minutes and adjust sweetness (add up to 1 more teaspoon brown sugar if desired).

After simmering, remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture steep off-heat for 5 minutes to further develop flavors.

Strain the mulled cider through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean pot or heatproof pitcher, pressing lightly on solids to extract liquid. Return strained cider to low heat to keep warm if serving immediately.

To temper the miso and avoid clumps, scoop 1 teaspoon white miso into a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of hot mulled cider from the pot and whisk until completely smooth.

Stir the miso slurry back into the warm mulled cider. Add 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and whisk or stir to combine. Warm gently for 1–2 minutes—do not boil—so flavors integrate. Taste and adjust seasoning: add a pinch more miso for umami, a bit more brown sugar if you prefer sweeter, or a squeeze more lemon for brightness.

Ladle the mulled miso apple cider into heatproof mugs. Garnish each mug with a few fresh apple slices and an optional orange peel twist and/or a cinnamon stick. Serve warm.

Leftover cider: cool to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stove; if separation occurs, whisk or blend briefly to reincorporate.