Apple Cider Cocktail (Hot or Iced)

Cozy fall sips in 10 minutes

A crisp apple-cider base you can serve hot for a warm apple cider night or shake over ice for an easy fall cocktail, with bourbon, rum, or tequila options.

Why you’ll love it

• Apple cider alcoholic drink that’s smooth, balanced, and quick.
• Warm apple cider recipe and hot cider cocktail method in one post.
• Scales for parties, punch bowls, or an apple cider bar.
• Crockpot apple cider option for set-and-forget gatherings.
• Apple cider margarita recipe variation for tequila lovers.
• Simple ingredients you likely have at home.

Ingredients (notes only)

Spiced cider base

• Fresh apple cider: unfiltered tastes best and gives body.
• Orange slices and a cinnamon stick: bright and cozy.
• Whole cloves and star anise: classic mulled flavor.
• Maple syrup or brown sugar: adjust sweetness.
• Pinch of salt and vanilla: rounds the flavor.

Alcohol options

• Bourbon or dark rum for warm, caramelly notes.
• Tequila reposado and orange liqueur for margarita style.
• Sparkling water or ginger beer for a lighter iced drink.

Garnishes

• Cinnamon-sugar rim, apple slices, orange peel, cinnamon sticks.

Step-by-step

1. Make the spiced base. Add cider, orange, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and sweetener to a pot. Simmer gently 10 minutes. Do not boil hard.
2. Strain. Remove spices and orange. Keep warm or chill.
3. Hot cocktail. Per mug, pour 6 oz hot spiced cider. Stir in 1.5 oz bourbon or rum. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange slice.
4. Iced cocktail. Fill a shaker with ice. Add 4 oz chilled spiced cider, 1.5 oz bourbon or tequila, and 2 oz sparkling water or ginger beer. Shake briefly and strain over fresh ice.
5. Margarita option. Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar. Shake 4 oz chilled spiced cider, 1.5 oz tequila reposado, 0.5 oz orange liqueur, and 0.75 oz lime juice with ice. Strain over ice and garnish with apple slice.

Pro tips

• Unfiltered cider clings to ice and spirits for better body.
• Add alcohol after heating. Boiling will fade flavor.
• For clean mugs, strain through a fine sieve or coffee filter.
• Keep a slow cooker on Warm with the cider base and a “add spirits to taste” sign at your apple cider bar.
• A cinnamon-sugar rim instantly makes it party ready.

Variations

• Apple cider punch: combine chilled cider base with prosecco or ginger ale in a pitcher.
• Crockpot apple cider: cook base on Low 2 to 3 hours. Stir in spirits in each mug.
• Hot buttered cider: whisk a teaspoon of softened butter into each hot mug before adding bourbon.
• Apple cider margarita recipe: use tequila reposado, orange liqueur, and lime as in step 5.

How to serve

Set up an apple cider bar with the warm base in a slow cooker, bottles of bourbon, rum, and tequila, ice bucket, sparkling water, and bowls of garnishes. Offer cinnamon-sugar for rimming.

Make ahead & storage

• Base: refrigerate up to 7 days or freeze 2 months.
• Hot holding: keep the base at a bare simmer or in a slow cooker on Warm. Add alcohol per serving.
• Leftovers: store without alcohol. Reheat to steaming, not boiling.

FAQs

Apple juice or apple cider?
Use fresh unfiltered cider for best flavor. Clear apple juice works but is lighter.

How do I make it non-alcoholic?
Serve the base hot or iced and skip the spirits. Add ginger beer for sparkle.

Can I batch this for parties?
Yes. Make a large pot of base. Guests add their spirit of choice for a custom drink.

Will alcohol cook off in the slow cooker?
Add spirits at serving time to avoid evaporation and preserve flavor.

Simple Nutrition (estimate per hot cocktail with bourbon)

Calories	Carbs	Sugar	Fat	Protein
230	29 g	25 g	0 g	0 g