There's a certain kind of afternoon in October that practically begs for a warm mug in your hands. The good news: you don't need a coffee-shop menu to make your tea feel like a seasonal treat. With a few pantry staples, your everyday cup can taste like a crisp walk through the orchard. Here's our favorite spiced apple cider tea, plus five easy ways to level up any cup this fall.
Spiced Apple Cider Tea
This is cozy season in a mug — part tea, part cider, all comfort. It works beautifully with our caffeine-free Apple Picking (apple, cinnamon, and hibiscus) or Autumn Breeze (tulsi, cinnamon, and ginger).
You'll need (makes 1 cup):
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 Leaves of Leisure tea bag (Apple Picking or Autumn Breeze)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A thin apple slice, for garnish
- Optional: a drizzle of honey or maple syrup
How to make it:
- In a small saucepan warm the apple cider. Bring it to a gentle boil.
- Pour the hot cider over your tea bag and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the bag, press out the last of the flavor with a spoon, and garnish with the cinnamon stick and apple slice. Add honey or maple to taste.
Want it iced? Brew it a little stronger, let it cool, and pour it over ice — our Picnic in the Park is especially lovely this way.
5 Easy Ways to Level Up Your Fall Cup
No cider on hand? These little upgrades turn a plain cup into something special.
1. Drop in a cinnamon stick
Let it steep right alongside your tea bag for a rounder, spicier warmth — and a pretty stirrer. Cinnamon is already the backbone of both Apple Picking and Autumn Breeze, so it plays beautifully.
2. Add a few apple slices
Thin slices steeped in the cup add natural sweetness and an orchard-fresh aroma. Bonus: they look gorgeous floating on top.
3. Grate in a little nutmeg
Just a pinch of fresh nutmeg over the top gives any blend that bakery-spice coziness. A tiny bit goes a long way.
4. Twist in some citrus
A strip of orange peel or a squeeze of lemon brightens the whole cup and balances the spice. Orange and cinnamon are a classic fall pairing for a reason.
5. Make it a tea latte
Steep your tea a little strong, then top with a splash of warm, frothed milk (dairy or oat). Sunday Pancakes makes an especially dreamy caffeine-free latte — think dessert in a mug.
Every one of these works with our caffeine-free blends, so you can sip and tinker all afternoon and still sleep like a leaf. Ready to build your cozy-season shelf? Shop our fall favorites and start experimenting.
