Spiked Apple Cider is the perfect warm and cozy cocktail to serve at all your parties throughout fall and the holiday season. Boosted with a boozy shot of whiskey or spiced rum, you’re going to love this delicious seasonal recipe!
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About this Spiked Apple Cider recipe
‘Tis the season for all the cozy drinks! Spiked apple cider is one of my favorite drink recipes when the chilly weather hits. It’s the perfect thing to drive away the cold and makes me want to snuggle under a blanket with a happy movie on the TV!
Spiked cider is great for parties too. Every holiday party needs a good cocktail, and this cider is a solid choice! Everyone can serve themselves, so you don’t even have to worry about making drinks all evening.
This easy recipe uses my apple cider spice mix, which is way better than the store-bought packets. It makes for the best spiked hot apple cider too!
So if you’re ready to curl up with a warm mug of cozy cider, this classic recipe is just perfect. Make it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and everything in between, even casual nights at home.
More apple cider recipes: Apple Cider Mimosas • Apple Cider Mojito • Apple Cider Sangria
Why you’ll love this recipe
What’s not to love about this warm and spicy cider:
- This is by far one of the best party recipes. You can make it in bulk really easily and everyone can serve themselves!
- Stay warm on a cold evening with this warm drink. It’s great for parties around the fire pit, making s’mores and having fun.
- You can make one serving of this delicious cider in just 15 minutes. Hot cider whenever you want it!
Tools & glassware
To heat the apple cider, you’ll need a saucepan or a microwave-safe bowl. You’ll also need a jigger and measuring spoons to measure out the ingredients.
Make sure you’ve got heat proof mugs and a spoon to mix in the apple cider spice mix along with the lemon juice and bourbon whiskey.
party essentials
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Ingredients
Here’s a full list of all ingredients you will need to make this spiced and warm apple cider cocktail:
- apple cider
- apple cider spice mix
- bourbon whiskey
- fresh lemon juice
- apple slice, for garnish
- star anise, for garnish
- cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Apple juice vs. apple cider
Apple juice and apple cider are essentially the same thing — pressed and juiced apples, — but apple juice is pasteurized and filtered while apple cider is not. That’s why apple cider usually needs to be shaken up, as little bits will settle in the jug.
Apple cider from the store is not usually infused with spices, hence the reason for the apple cider spice mix in this recipe. You can make apple cider spice mix with sugar and spices you probably already have in your kitchen.
Garnishes
I use apple slices, cinnamon sticks and star anise pods for a garnish. But you can also use candied citrus or lemon twists for a fun garnish on each glass.
Best whiskey for cider
This delicious cider recipe uses bourbon whiskey for that sweet, vanilla and caramel-like flavor. Our household go-to is Old Forester, but Woodford Reserve, Four Roses and Bulleit are other favorites. For the best brands to look for, check out bourbon 101. When in doubt, use your favorite bourbon whiskey!
Other types of whiskey like rye and Irish whiskey would be delicious here too! You can even use flavored whiskey like cinnamon whiskey or salted caramel whiskey.
Substitutions & variations
No apple cider mix? If you don’t have apple cider spice mix, you can stir in cinnamon sugar. You can also add sugar, some cinnamon sticks and whole cloves to the apple cider while you warm it up on the stove for a similar flavor. This is called mulled cider.
Sweeteners: Give this a taste test before serving. If you find it’s not sweet enough, you can add more sugar, a splash of maple syrup, or another sweetener like brown sugar simple syrup.
Non-alcoholic version: You don’t have to add any alcohol — hot cider with the spice mix is so good on its own! But you can also add a zero-proof spirit like Ritual whiskey alternative.
Other booze options: Not a whiskey fan? Add something like spiced rum, brandy, caramel vodka or vanilla vodka.
Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make spiked apple cider in just 15 minutes:
Heat apple cider in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Pour into a heat-proof mug.
Add in the apple cider spice mix, lime juice and bourbon. Stir together until the sugar has dissolved.
Garnish with an apple slice, a cinnamon stick and a piece of star anise, if desired.
Tips & tricks
Follow these simple tips to make spiked apple cider extra special:
- You can keep apple cider warm on the stove, or in the crockpot, with a couple bottles nearby, and let guests serve themselves. Then they can also have it plain if they prefer.
- Serve while warm for the best flavor! If I’m going to be drinking this outside in the cold, I love serving it in a thermal mug.
- For an added sweet touch and aesthetic look, rim each glass with cinnamon sugar.
Food pairings
Serve this cozy treat with warming treats like pumpkin bread or chai snickerdoodles. Some savory treats like sausage balls or a charcuterie board. Seasonal treats like cranberry brie bites and pecan pie are so yummy too!
These mini cranberry apple casseroles are so good paired alongside this amazing spiked apple cider too. You could even enjoy it for a boozy breakfast or brunch alongside some apple pancakes.
FAQ
Bourbon whiskey is the best alcohol to add to apple cider! You can also use rum, or spiced rum for some extra spiced flavor.
It is most commonly served warm, especially since the spices are all a warming flavor. However, you can allow this mixture to cool and then serve it over ice if you prefer!
More Apple Cider Recipes
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Spiked Apple Cider
ingredients
- 4 ounces apple cider
- 1-2 teaspoons apple cider spice mix
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- ½ ounce lemon juice freshly-squeezed
- 1 slice apple for garnish
- 1 piece star anise for garnish
- 1 stick cinnamon for garnish
instructions
- Heat apple cider in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.
- Pour into a heat-proof mug. Stir in apple cider spice mix, lime juice and bourbon.
- Garnish with an apple slice, a cinnamon stick and a piece of star anise, if desired.
notes
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