You're at a Christmas market. It's freezing, you've been wandering around for ages, and someone comes back from the bar with a couple of steaming cups.
"Is that mulled cider?"
"Think it's hot cider."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
Fair question, actually.
The two names get used quite a lot during winter, sometimes for very similar drinks. But there is a difference, and it mostly comes down to what's been added to the cider before it reaches your cup. Here's the simple version.
What Is Mulled Cider?
Mulled cider is cider that's gently heated with spices, and sometimes fruit or other flavourings, to create a warm, aromatic drink. It's particularly popular during autumn and winter, when you'll find it being served at Christmas markets and festive gatherings.
Traditional mulling spices include cinnamon, cloves, star anise and nutmeg, while orange peel can add a little citrus character. As the cider warms, the spices infuse into the drink, bringing together apple flavours and those familiar winter aromas. There isn't one fixed recipe. Some mulled ciders are quite traditional, while others take things in a different direction with additional fruit flavours. And we're always up for something a little different.
What's the Difference Between Mulled Cider and Hot Cider?
The easiest way to explain it is that hot cider is cider served warm, while mulled cider is usually warmed with spices and other ingredients. You can gently heat cider and enjoy it without adding anything else.
Mulling takes things further by introducing flavours such as cinnamon, cloves and citrus. So all mulled cider is served hot or warm, but not every hot cider has been mulled. You'll sometimes hear the terms used interchangeably at winter markets, which is why it's always worth checking what's actually in the cup.
Can You Make Mulled Cider With Fruit Cider?
Absolutely. Traditional apple cider is a popular starting point, but fruit-flavoured cider can work particularly well with winter spices too.
Take Brothers Toffee Apple Cider. It already combines crisp apple flavours with rich, creamy toffee notes. Gently warming it with a cinnamon stick gives you a different take on a familiar favourite. And because Toffee Apple has plenty of flavour already, you don't need to go overboard with the extra ingredients.
We've put together a simple guide to making warm Toffee Apple Cider at home if you fancy giving it a go.
How Does Brothers Do Mulled Cider?
We've been making cider in Somerset for a long time, with the Showering family's cider-making roots stretching back centuries. And since Brothers first appeared at Glastonbury Festival in 1995, we've never been particularly interested in doing things exactly like everyone else.
Our winter warmers are no different.
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Spiced Toffee Apple
Brothers Spiced Toffee Apple takes the distinctive apple and toffee flavours of our Toffee Apple Cider and gives them a warming winter twist. It's sweet, spiced and a little nostalgic. The sort of thing that feels right at home on a chilly evening with your mates.
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Mulled Apple & Rum
Brothers Mulled Apple & Rum brings together apple flavours, winter spices and a hint of dark rum for a richer, more traditional mulled cider experience. Both winter flavours have become part of our Christmas market offering, bringing a little Brothers flavour to festive gatherings across the UK.
Where Can You Find Brothers Mulled Cider This Winter?
If you've spent an evening wandering around a Christmas market with friends, you'll understand why warm cider works so well. You're outside, everyone's wrapped up, and nobody can quite decide whether to head home or have one more look around.
We've been part of those winter evenings at festive events across the UK, including as the Official Mulled Cider Partner of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
If you're heading out this winter, take a look at our UK Christmas market guide to see where Brothers warm cider is being served. And if you're staying in instead, there's always the warm Toffee Apple recipe.
Different setting. Same good reason to get everyone together.
