Savour the Season: Homegrown Festive Apple Mulled Juice

Winter has a way of drawing us back to simple comforts — slow simmering pots, spice-laden aromas, and recipes that warm you from the inside out. As the garden quietens and the year tilts towards its close, it’s these small, familiar rituals that make the season feel truly special.

One of our favourites is a homemade Festive Apple Mulled Juice. It’s gentle, warming and completely non-alcoholic, making it perfect for family gatherings or for serving outdoors on crisp December afternoons. If you have your own apple harvest stored away, this is the time to use it — but shop-bought apples work beautifully too.

This recipe makes enough for eight generous servings and fills the kitchen with the scent of cinnamon, cloves and citrus — the kind of fragrance that instantly feels like Christmas.

Ingredients

• 18 medium apples

• 1 orange

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 star anise

• 3 cloves

• Sugar or honey, to taste

Festive Tip: Add a splash of spiced rum for the adults — it pairs perfectly with the warmth of the apple and spice.

Method

1. Prep the apples.
Wash, core and slice your apples. There’s no need to peel — the skins add flavour and colour.

2. Add the spices.
Place the apples in a pot and pour in just enough water to cover. Add the cinnamon stick, star anise and cloves. The less water you use, the richer the juice.

3. Simmer gently.
Bring to a slow boil and cook for around 25 minutes, until the apples soften fully.

4. Strain.
Ladle the mixture through a coffee filter or cheesecloth set over a bowl. Press the apples gently to extract the juice. Remove the spices, return them to the liquid, and sweeten to taste.

5. Bottle and serve.
Pour into an airtight bottle. Serve warm with a twist of orange peel and a cinnamon stick.

A Winter Ritual

This is the kind of recipe that feels made for the season — slow, calming, and wonderfully aromatic. Pour it into mugs for a walk around the garden, serve it alongside winter grazing boards, or keep a pot warm on the stove as guests arrive.

It’s a reminder that even in the quietest months, there’s plenty to savour.