In yet another chapter of Meghan Markle’s culinary adventures, the former royal has found herself at the center of ridicule for her latest kitchen tutorial.
This time, it’s her attempt at making spiced cider that has left many scratching their heads and raising eyebrows.
Markle, 44, showcased the process on her Instagram account, As Ever, but rather than presenting a delightful autumn beverage, she merely boiled water and called it spiced cider.
Markle’s demonstration featured a large pot of water perched on the stove as she casually instructed viewers, “All you have to do is boil some water.” What followed was a dubious selling point for her struggling lifestyle brand, with a $16 mulling kit that appeared lacking in the depth typically associated with spiced drinks enjoyed during the fall and winter months.
Instead of the traditional apple cider that most recipes would demand, Markle opted for only boiled water.
After reaching a rolling boil, she directed her audience to place the contents of her mulling kit into a bag and let it steep, a step that did little to enhance the complexity of her offering.
To add a hint of sweetness, Markle suggested incorporating her brand’s honey along with a cinnamon stick, but the simplicity of her method drew immediate scrutiny.
Critics wasted no time in voicing their opinions on social media, deeming her concoction as little more than “flavored boiled water.”
Comments poured in quickly, with some users expressing their disbelief and dissatisfaction.
One commented, “What she made is essentially mulled water.
Without the alcohol, it’s neither a Hot Toddy nor mulled cider.” Others were equally harsh, declaring, “Spiced hot water does NOT make it spiced tea or a toddy!”
A fifth critic humorously noted that Markle’s attempt was similar to presenting potpourri as a drinkable solution, firmly stating, “Mulled cider literally has what you use in the name… CIDER!” Clearly, many felt that her recipe missed the mark by a wide margin.
In addition to the cider controversy, Markle had previously stirred up other discussions regarding her kitchen etiquette.
She has openly shared her penchant for having hot beverages on the stove to welcome guests, proudly mentioning that she greets them barefoot and in an apron, which some found less than appetizing.
Markle’s unconventional approach to hospitality came to light during a bookstore event in Montecito, where she interrupted a friend’s book launch to espouse her philosophy on entertaining.
“It demystifies,” she said, adding her barefoot greeting made her more relatable to guests.
Yet, the reaction was mixed, with some deeming her behavior unhygienic.
This kitchen incident isn’t the first for Markle, who has faced criticism for her lack of culinary finesse before.
In a previous post where she attempted to demonstrate jam-making, she was laughed at for using canning tongs incorrectly.
The backlash was swift, with social media users pointing out her blunder.
One enraged home cook remarked, “At least learn the basics before making a fool of yourself.” Such moments have raised questions about Markle’s self-proclaimed expertise in the kitchen.
Whether it’s boiling water or mishandling kitchen tools, Markle’s culinary ventures continue to fuel public discourse.
As she attempts to promote her brand, the path has proven rocky, drawing both mockery and criticism from viewers who expect more than basic instructions.
As her lifestyle brand strives to gain a footing amidst the challenges, one must wonder if these mishaps will shadow Markle’s attempts to make a mark in the competitive lifestyle market.
With each video, will she continue to invite skepticism, or will she eventually find her culinary rhythm?
Only time will tell.
