Simple, aromatic, and quietly irresistible. Warm spiced apple cider gives Krampus the perfect stage, letting its honeyed depth and alpine spice settle in without distraction. This is the kind of drink that feels right the moment the temperature drops—easy to pour, easy to linger over, and far more satisfying than it looks at first glance.
Mulled cider is the simplest warm drink of fall and winter: apple cider heated slowly with cinnamon and spice. This version adds Krampus Herbal Liqueur and an optional splash of brandy.
Make one mug on the stove or a slow cooker full for a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Krampus Herbal Liqueur
- ½ oz brandy (optional)
- 6–8 oz apple cider
- Mulling spices (optional)
- 1 cinnamon stick, to garnish
Directions
- Warm the cider in a saucepan over low heat, with mulling spices if you’re using them, until steaming but not boiling.
- Pour into a glass mug and stir in the Krampus, plus the brandy if you’d like it stronger.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Glass: Glass mug · Garnish: Cinnamon stick
Tip
Add the Krampus after the cider comes off the heat. Boiling it cooks off the alcohol and dulls the honey and spice.
Variations
For a crowd, warm a half gallon of cider in a slow cooker on low and set a bottle of Krampus beside it, so guests can add about an ounce to each mug. An orange slice studded with a few cloves makes an easy, pretty garnish.
A Brief History of Mulled Cider
Warming and spicing cider goes back to medieval England, where hot spiced cider and ale were shared from the wassail bowl through the Christmas season.
English settlers carried the habit to America, where cider was the everyday drink of colonial households and orchards spread across New England. A pot of mulled cider on the stove has been a cold-weather tradition ever since.
Why Make It With Krampus
Mulled cider usually leans on mulling spices for flavor and a plain spirit for strength. Krampus Herbal Liqueur brings both in one pour: warming spice, raw honey and roasted hazelnut. The honey rounds out tart cider without extra sugar, and the hazelnut gives it a toasty, apple-pie depth.
FAQ
What is the difference between mulled cider and wassail?
They are close cousins. Wassail usually adds citrus juice and comes from the English tradition of sharing a bowl. See our Krampus Wassail recipe for that version.
Can I make mulled cider in a slow cooker?
Yes. Warm the cider and spices on low for an hour, then switch to warm and stir in the Krampus just before serving.