Hot Apple Cider Cocktails: Alcoholic Add-Ins For A Warm Drink

what alcohol do you add to hot apple cider

Hot apple cider is a popular drink, especially during the colder months. It is usually made with apple cider or apple juice, heated and spiced with cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and allspice. To make it a little more festive, many people like to spike their hot apple cider with alcohol. The most popular choices are dark liquors like bourbon, dark rum, and vodka, but some also add whiskey, tequila, or gin.

Characteristics Values
Alcohol Type Rum, Vodka, Bourbon, Whiskey, Tequila, Brandy, Gin
Alcohol Base Dark spirits, spiced spirits, flavoured spirits
Alcohol Quantity A shot, 6 ounces

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Dark rum, orange peel, clove, and allspice

To make this drink, you'll need:

  • Dark rum
  • Apple cider (unfiltered apple juice)
  • Orange peel
  • Cloves
  • Allspice berries
  • Maple syrup (optional)
  • Lemon peel (optional)

Begin by slicing the peel off an orange, avoiding the bitter white pith. You can also add a small amount of lemon peel if desired. Throw the peels into a medium saucepan. Next, add the apple cider and maple syrup, if using. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

While your cider is simmering, you can make a quick clove syrup to enhance the spice flavours. Bring four ounces of water to a boil and pour it over 12 cloves. Let it steep for 20 minutes, then add 1/2 cup of sugar and stir until dissolved. Allow the syrup to steep for at least another hour, or even overnight, for a more intense flavour.

Once your cider has simmered for 30 minutes, remove it from the heat. Strain out the peels and spices, as these can become bitter if left in the cider for too long. Add a shot of dark rum to your mug, then pour in the hot cider. Finally, add a teaspoon or two of the clove syrup to taste, stirring well. Garnish with an orange twist or a cinnamon stick, if desired.

This drink is perfect for cold winter nights and can be adjusted to your taste. You can experiment with different types of rum, adjust the amount of syrup, or try adding other spices like cinnamon or star anise. Enjoy responsibly!

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Bourbon, honey, and cinnamon

Warm Bourbon, Honey, and Cinnamon Apple Cider

A warm bourbon, honey, and cinnamon apple cider cocktail is a perfect drink for fall and winter. Here is a detailed recipe for making this delicious beverage.

Ingredients

  • Honey
  • Bourbon
  • Apple cider
  • 1 apple
  • Cinnamon

Instructions

Firstly, core and slice the apple into wedges of medium size. Measure out 10 ounces of apple cider and add it to a saucepan along with the apple wedges, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons of honey. Bring this mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low for 5 minutes. While the cider cooks, measure out 2 ounces of bourbon into a cocktail glass. After letting it sit for about 3 minutes, strain the cider and add it to the bourbon along with a few apple wedges. Stir it all together, and your warm bourbon honey apple cider is ready to be enjoyed!

Variations

Some people like to rim the glass with cinnamon sugar or burn a cinnamon stick for a fancier presentation. You can also experiment with different types of bourbon to find your preferred taste. Additionally, this cocktail can be made in larger batches, making it an excellent choice for holiday gatherings or cold winter nights.

Other Alcohol Options

Although bourbon is a popular choice for spiking hot apple cider, other common options include whiskey, rum, vodka, and gin. Spiced rum and whiskey are particularly recommended for their complementary flavours.

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Vodka, ginger, and sugar syrup

Vodka is one of the popular choices of alcohol to add to hot apple cider. However, some people find it to be a bit strong. If you are looking to add vodka to your hot apple cider, a great way to balance the taste is to add ginger and sugar syrup.

Ginger Syrup

Ginger syrup is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both food and drinks. It is easy to make at home and can be stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Here is a simple recipe for ginger syrup:

  • Combine 1 cup of sugar and 3/4 cup of water in a saucepan.
  • Stir constantly over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Add 1 cup of sliced ginger and heat until the syrup reaches a light boil.
  • Cover the saucepan, reduce the heat, and allow the syrup to simmer for about 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and let it cool.
  • Steep the syrup for about an hour or until it reaches your desired taste.
  • Strain out the ginger and store the syrup in a sealed bottle or container.

You can adjust the sugar and water ratio to your liking. For a richer syrup, use 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. If you prefer a less sweet syrup, a 1:1 mix will work. You can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour, such as vanilla, spicy peppers, or winter spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.

Now that you have your ginger syrup, you can make a delicious cocktail by combining it with vodka and apple cider. Here is a recipe for a festive and refreshing Harvest Apple Ginger Smash cocktail:

  • Make an apple-spice simple syrup by combining raw cane sugar, golden brown sugar, apple slices, cinnamon, ginger, and water in a saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is slightly syrupy.
  • Dip the rims of two cocktail glasses in apple cider or water, then dip and roll in a cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat.
  • In a cocktail shaker, stir together ice, vodka, ginger liqueur, the apple spice simple syrup, and apple cider.
  • Strain the mixture into the prepared cocktail glasses and add ice as desired.
  • Garnish with thin-sliced apple and rosemary sprigs.

This cocktail has warm spices and sweet flavours, making it perfect for the fall season. It is a great way to enjoy the combination of vodka, ginger, and sugar syrup with hot apple cider.

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Spiced rum

Spiked cider is a popular drink, especially during the fall and winter seasons. The warmth of the cider coupled with the spices and alcohol creates a comforting beverage that is perfect for chilly nights.

To make a delicious hot apple cider spiked with spiced rum, start by combining apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and other desired spices in a slow cooker or a pot on the stove. Warm the mixture gently over low heat, taking care not to bring it to a boil. Once the cider is heated through, simply add a shot of spiced rum to each mug before serving. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, apple slices, or orange twists for an extra touch of flavour and presentation.

For an even more indulgent treat, consider making a hot buttered rum cider. To do this, blend butter into the warm cider before adding the rum. This creates a rich, decadent drink that is sure to impress your guests.

When selecting a rum for your spiked cider, you can choose from a variety of options. Captain Morgan's spiced rum is a popular choice, as is Bacardi. Alternatively, you can opt for a dark rum to add a deeper flavour to your drink.

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Whiskey

When making a hot apple cider cocktail with whiskey, it is recommended to use a flavoured whiskey, such as vanilla or cinnamon-infused bourbon. However, any type of whiskey will work, and different whiskeys will bring different flavour variations to the cocktail. For example, Irish whiskey is very mellow, and Fireball whisky is described as "fantastic with cider". Rye whiskey is also a popular choice, as it pairs well with the signature spicy burn that is desired in the finish of a cold cider cocktail. Blended Scotch is another great choice that balances well on the finish. Tennessee whiskey and Canadian whisky, like Jack Daniels or Crown Royal, are also recommended. Bourbon works, but its flavour is less noticeable in the lowball drink.

To make a hot apple cider cocktail with whiskey, combine the cloves, cinnamon sticks, apple cider, and honey in a medium pot. Warm over low heat for 30 minutes. Skim off any particulate that forms. Stir in the whiskey. If desired, garnish with orange slices and whole cranberries, and ladle into mugs.

A cold apple cider cocktail with whiskey can be made by stirring together the apple cider and whiskey in a lowball glass. It can be garnished with an orange wheel and served with ice.

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Frequently asked questions

Dark liquors like bourbon, dark rum, and whiskey are traditional, but vodka is also a good light option. Other options include tequila, brandy, and gin.

Here is a simple recipe: combine six ounces of your chosen alcohol, eight ounces of apple cider, and two ounces of honey syrup or simple syrup in a small saucepan. Add spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and allspice to taste. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is warmed through. Pour into glasses and garnish with orange slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, or peppermint sticks.

Fresh apple cider is always the best option, but store-bought cider or even apple juice can also be used.

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