Move over hot cocoa; spiced apple cider is the perfect fall cocktail that everyone wants this time of year! Spicy cinnamon, sweet orange, and fresh apple flavors dance together in a warm mug while tantalizing aromas fill the air. A little bourbon or rum easily elevates this hot cider to one of the best cold-weather drinks.
Great for sipping on cool fall days and cold winter nights.
Table of Contents
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
So many warm flavors combine in this classic fall season hot apple cider cocktail. It starts with a base of fresh apple cider. Then, you simmer it while a clove-spiked orange permeates it with spice and flavor. You can stop here for a yummy non-alcoholic version or add in your favorite liquor for the perfect finishing touch on this easy apple cider drink.
Hot bourbon apple cider will soon become one of your favorite holiday cocktails. I place it right up there with my hot fireball apple cider cocktail and sparkling cranberry mimosas.
What is mulled apple cider?
Hot mulled cider is a classic fall and winter drink. To mull a drink means to simmer it on the stove with whole spices. Since this apple cider mulls with a whole orange and real cloves, it's a perfect recipe for hot mulled apple cider.
The best part is the use of more whole spices to give the hot cider a more robust flavor.
The clove-studded orange simmers with allspice and nutmeg.
You can leave it this way or add some dark rum or your favorite bourbon for the perfect cocktail.
Spiced Apple Cider Ingredients
The ingredients are simple, and it takes about 20 minutes to simmer on the stovetop. And there's definitely an upside to making it this way; it makes your whole house smell like the holidays. Oh, I so wish there was smell-o-vision so I could share it with you.
Here's what you'll need for this spiked hot apple cider recipe:
- Fresh apple cider - fresh is always the best but store-bought cider can also be used.
- Whole cloves
- Fresh orange
- Light brown sugar
- Allspice & nutmeg - warm mulling spices that are perfect for fall
- Rum or bourbon - dark spirits add the best flavor and let the apple flavor shine. Try your favorite whiskey or even caramel vodka for this warm drink.
- Garnishes: whipped cream, whole cinnamon sticks, apple slices, orange slices, peppermint sticks, star anise
What liquor goes with hot apple cider?
I used Myers's Dark Rum to spike the warm apple cider. You can make spiced cider with lots of different types of liquor. Here are some of the best alcohol choices:
- Hot Apple Cider With Bourbon
- Hot Apple Cider Whiskey
- Spiced Rum Apple Cider
- Hot Apple Cider With Vodka
- Hot Apple Cider With Fireball
How to Make Hot Spiked Apple Cider
- Slice a fresh orange in quarters leaving on the orange peel. Push whole cloves into a quarter of the orange.
- Place the orange and apple cider into a small saucepan.
- Add brown sugar to the saucepan.
- Sprinkle in the spices and give it a good stir. Heat to a boil then turn the heat down and let it simmer for 20 minutes on low heat to imbue the hot cider with flavor.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the rum or bourbon.
- Divide evenly between two of your favorite mugs.
Finish with a garnish of whipped cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and a whole cinnamon stick. It's the perfect drink to enjoy on a chilly day or sitting by the fire pit.
2CM Tip: Add an apple slice with a cinnamon stick through it on top of your drink like a lid. It will keep your hot spiked apple cider warm longer.
Large Batch Make Ahead Hot Apple Cider
Want to make a bunch of hot apple cider drinks for a party? It's easy to do!
You can easily increase the ingredients by how many servings you want. On the recipe card below, hover over or click the number of servings (2) and a slider will appear. Move the slider to increase or decrease the quantity. It will automatically calculate the quantity of each ingredient for you.
Prepare the recipe except do not add the alcohol. You can do this a day or two in advance and keep it refrigerated. Then put the spiced apple cider in a crock pot set on low.
Set the crockpot apple cider out with a large ladle and have different alcohols and garnishes beside it. Then your guests can make their own hot toddy with their preferred alcohol and garnishes.
Hot Apple Cider For Kids
Of course, this is also a fall favorite with kids when they're cold and wet from playing in the snow too. Just leave out the rum or bourbon, add a candy peppermint or whole cinnamon stick and just wait for all the oohs and aahs comin' your way. They'll feel toasty again in no time. Or try this easy recipe for a crock pot non-alcoholic apple cider made with fresh apples.
More Cocktail Recipes
- Apple Cider Cocktail with champagne, cinnamon schnapps, and a float of ice cream.
- Pumpkin Spice White Russian - a creamy white Russian with a pumpkin spice twist.
- Apple Cider Margaritas rimmed with cinnamon sugar are perfect for a fall fiesta.
- Blackberry Margarita - aka Black Widow, the perfect margarita for Halloween.
- Pumpkin Pie Martini from Life's Ambrosia is creamy and decadent.
- Apple Cider Sangria with sparkling wine is best for a festive fall drink.
Find even more seasonal cocktail recipes here on 2CM!
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Spiked Hot Apple Cider
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 orange, cut into quarters (will only use ¼)
- 2 cups apple cider
- ⅛ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup rum, dark rum, or bourbon (optional)
- Garnishes: whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, apple slices, peppermint sticks
Instructions
- Cut orange in quarters. Using just ¼ of the orange, push the whole cloves into the peel.
- Place quarter of orange with cloves in a small saucepan.
- Pour apple cider over orange.
- Add sugar and spices and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat. If adding rum or bourbon, pour into spiced apple cider prior to pouring into mugs.
- Divide between 2 mugs and decorate with whipped cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg, a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick. For kids, leave out the liquor and add a peppermint stick to the glass.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with step-by-step directions and new photos. It was first published on December 5, 2014.
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