Warm Winter Ciders and Brews

Cider recipes are such a comfort on chilly days. This version couldn't be easier. All you need is apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, and fresh ginger.

Recipe: Warm Spiced Cider

Add apple juice, honey, and some holiday spices to red wine and simmer on the stovetop for a festive cold-weather sipper that's perfect for lounging in front of the fireplace.

Recipe: Mulled Wine

A perfect warm cider for a small gatherings, this holiday brew is made by simmering apple cider with fresh lemon and orange slices, cinnamon, and cloves. Make it up a day in advance and reheat before serving.

Recipe: Spiced Cider

Steeping fresh cranberries with juice, raisins, and cinnamon sticks starts things off for this mulled punch. But additions of red wine, lemon, almond flavors, and orange liqueur build an evener richer depth of taste. As warming holiday beverages go, this one's a stunner.

Recipe: Mulled Cranberry Wine Punch

Similar to a wassail, this spicy sweet beverage warms up even the coldest winter nights. Make the brew up to two weeks ahead in preparation for your holiday gathering.

Recipe: Easy Swedish Glögg

This warm drink calls for a quick simmer with juices and spices, then an easy addition of red wine just before serving.

The spice bag, made with peppercorns, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and citrus rind, adds rich flavor to this easy cider recipe. If your party falls on an unusually warm winter day, try this beverage over ice; it's equally delicious hot or cold.

Float a few apple slices and some cinnamon sticks in this warming drink.

Far from the usual, this warm cider is made with pear nectar, red wine, and honey that's steeped with star anise and dried hibiscus blossoms. Star anise, found in Asian markets or on the spice aisle at the supermarket, gives it a licorice-like flavor.

Recipe: Thanksgiving Star Cider

A hint of apricot and sweet spices give this citrus apple cider a clean, refreshing flavor. Perfect to serve at holiday gatherings, book clubs, or for carolers, the recipe makes 20 cups. Keep it warm in a crock pot and let guests serve themselves.

Recipe: Apricot-Apple Cider Sipper

Typically wassail (Norse for "be in good health") is a spicy-sweet, wine-based holiday punch. This alcohol-free version steeps spices with a blend of fruit juices instead: pineapple juice, apricot nectar, o.j., and apple cider. The kids are gonna love it.

Recipe: Pineapple Wassail

Curl up by the fire with this simple beverage that takes less than a minute to make. Simply combine hazelnut-flavored liqueur with hot water then top with whipped cream.

Recipe: Warm Hazelnut Toddy

Simmer this cider on the stove before your holiday gathering to fill the house with scents of the season like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.

Recipe: Warm Mulled Cider

Pomegranate, white grape, and pineapple juices simmer with cinnamon, clove, and ginger to make a fragrant, elegant beverage for a special holiday dinner or gathering.

Recipe: Spiced Pomegranate Sipper

Almost like a chai tea, this fragrant hot beverage steeps apple cider, a splash of orange juice, and all your favorite masala spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, peppercorn, and cloves. A few slices of fresh ginger give it a soothing zing.

Recipe: Hot Mulled Cider

Simmer some apple pie goodness on the stove with this wonderfully fragrant cranberry-apple cider beverage. It's warm and full of all those familiar pie spices, everything from cinnamon to nutmeg to cloves. But it comes packaged without a lot of calories and fat.

Recipe: Mulled Cranberry-Apple Cider

Bottled apple cider, pantry spices, and dark rum come together with a little orange peel to make a simple apple cider with a big heartwarming kick. But you can easily leave out the rum (and add it after cooking) so the kids can imbibe too.

Recipe: Orange Spiced Cider