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–+ servings
Sarah

Apple Cider Cocktail (Hot or Iced)

A cozy yet flexible apple cider cocktail that works hot or cold. Simmer spiced cider with warming aromatics, then spike it bourbon, rum, or tequila — or serve as a punch. Great for crockpot nights, apple cider bars, and fall gatherings.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8 cocktails
Course: Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  • 8 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered if possible)
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 1 star anise
  • 2 to 3 tbsp maple syrup or brown sugar, to taste
  • 1 pinch fine sea salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 oz hot spiced cider base (for each hot cocktail)
  • 1.5 oz bourbon or dark rum (for each hot cocktail)
  • 1 cinnamon stick, for garnish
  • 1 orange slice, for garnish
  • 4 oz chilled spiced cider base (for each iced cocktail)
  • 1.5 oz bourbon or tequila (for each iced cocktail)
  • 2 oz sparkling water or ginger beer (for each iced cocktail)
  • ice
  • 1 apple slice, for garnish
  • cinnamon-sugar rim (optional)
  • 1.5 oz tequila reposado (for margarita variant)
  • 0.5 oz orange liqueur
  • 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
  • 4 oz chilled spiced cider base (for margarita)

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Slow cooker (optional)
  • fine mesh strainer
  • cocktail shaker
  • jigger or shot glass
  • citrus juicer

Method

  • Add cider, orange, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, maple syrup, and salt to a pot. Simmer gently 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  • Strain out solids. Keep warm for hot drinks or chill for iced.
  • Hot cocktail: Add 6 oz hot base to a mug. Stir in 1.5 oz bourbon or rum. Garnish.
  • Iced cocktail: Shake 4 oz chilled base, 1.5 oz bourbon or tequila, and 2 oz sparkling water or ginger beer with ice. Strain over fresh ice.
  • Margarita option: Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar. Shake tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and chilled base with ice. Strain over ice.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 29gSodium: 25mgPotassium: 180mgSugar: 25gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.2mg

Notes

Crockpot cider: Add base ingredients to slow cooker and cook on Low for 2–3 hours. Keep warm to serve. Apple cider punch: Combine 6 cups chilled base with 3 cups ginger ale or prosecco. Non-alcoholic: Serve base hot or iced with ginger beer instead of alcohol.
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