National Hot Mulled Cider Day
September 30
About National Hot Mulled Cider Day
National Hot Mulled Cider Day is celebrated every year on 30 September. It marks the arrival of autumn with a warming mug of spiced apple cider, gently heated with cinnamon, cloves, and orange. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday, 30 September.
How to Celebrate National Hot Mulled Cider Day
This is a cosy, hands-on day best enjoyed with a steaming mug and good company. Here are some ways to take part.
- Brew a batch from scratch – Heat apple cider gently with cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel, and a little nutmeg. Keep it just below boiling so the spices infuse without the cider turning bitter.
- Host a mulled cider evening – Invite friends round, set a pot simmering on the hob, and let the autumnal aroma fill the house. It is a simple, welcoming way to mark the season.
- Try an alcoholic version – For an adult twist, add a splash of dark rum, brandy, or Calvados to your mug. Always serve responsibly and offer an alcohol-free option too.
- Experiment with spices – Add star anise, cardamom, or a slice of fresh ginger to find your own signature blend. Half the fun is tasting as you go.
- Pair it with autumn treats – Serve your cider alongside cinnamon doughnuts, gingerbread, or a slice of apple cake for the full seasonal experience.
- Make a gift basket – Fill a basket with cider, whole spices, oranges, and a recipe card, then give it to someone you care about so they can mull their own.
- Visit an orchard or cider mill – Spend the day picking apples or watching cider being pressed, then take some home to mull fresh.
- Curl up with a book – Sometimes the best celebration is the simplest. Pour a mug, settle into a comfortable chair, and enjoy a quiet autumn afternoon.
What is National Hot Mulled Cider Day?
National Hot Mulled Cider Day is an annual food celebration dedicated to one of autumn’s most comforting drinks. Mulled cider is made by gently heating apple cider with warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and orange peel, then simmering until fragrant. The day welcomes the change of season and the return of cosy evenings, and is enjoyed by anyone who loves the scent and warmth of spiced apple in the cooler months.
When is National Hot Mulled Cider Day?
National Hot Mulled Cider Day is observed every year on 30 September. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday, 30 September. The date is fixed, falling at the very end of September each year, just as the weather begins to cool.
The History of National Hot Mulled Cider Day
The exact origin of National Hot Mulled Cider Day, including its founder and the year it began, is not documented. Like many food celebration days, it is marked through calendars of unofficial holidays and shared widely on social media each autumn.
The practice of mulling drinks, however, is ancient. The first record of wine being spiced and heated comes from Plautus’s play Curculio, written in the 2nd century BC, and the Romans are thought to have carried the custom across their empire. Warming and spicing drinks was originally a practical way to make use of leftover or substandard cider and wine, improving the flavour and taking the chill off in cold weather.
Mulled drinks became firmly tied to autumn and winter celebration over the centuries. The tradition gained a lasting cultural foothold in Victorian England, where spiced, heated punches featured in seasonal festivities, famously including the “smoking bishop” mentioned in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol of 1843. Today, mulled cider is a cherished marker of the season. If you enjoy warming spiced drinks, you might also like National Mulled Wine Day, its close cousin made with red wine.
Fun Facts About National Hot Mulled Cider Day
- The word “mulled” simply means heated and spiced, and the practice applies to cider, wine, and ale alike.
- Mulling dates back to at least the 2nd century BC, making it one of the oldest drink preparations still enjoyed today.
- Mulled cider should never be allowed to boil, as boiling drives off the delicate aromatic oils from the spices.
- In the United States, “cider” usually refers to unfiltered, non-alcoholic apple juice, while in the United Kingdom it traditionally means an alcoholic drink.
- Common mulling spices include cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, star anise, allspice, and orange peel.
- The “smoking” in Victorian smoking bishop refers to the steam rising from the warm drink, not actual smoke.
Why National Hot Mulled Cider Day Matters
More than just a warming drink, mulled cider is a marker of changing seasons and a reason to gather. The day brings people together over something simple and comforting, supports apple growers and orchards, and keeps a centuries-old tradition alive as the days grow shorter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Hot Mulled Cider Day?
It is an annual celebration of hot spiced apple cider, observed on 30 September. The day encourages people to brew and enjoy mulled cider as a way of welcoming autumn.
When is National Hot Mulled Cider Day in 2026?
National Hot Mulled Cider Day falls on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year.
What is the difference between mulled cider and mulled wine?
Mulled cider is made by heating apple cider with spices, while mulled wine uses red wine as its base. Both share warming spices such as cinnamon and cloves, and both are traditional cold-weather favourites.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best mulled cider recipes and cosy mug photos on social media with #HotMulledCiderDay and #HotMulledCiderDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to brew a batch!
Related Awareness Days
- National Mulled Wine Day – The wine-based cousin of mulled cider, sharing the same warming spices and cold-weather appeal.
- National Mincemeat Day – A seasonal food day celebrating the spiced, fruity flavours of autumn and winter baking.
- World Sand Dune Day – Another October observance worth marking as the seasons turn.
Links
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