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This hot spiked apple cider recipe hits all the cozy notes! Rum or bourbon perfectly complement the cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. It’s a fall tradition for our family!
What’s better than a warm drink in hand when the weather is chilly? Here’s a classic that’s required for the season in our opinion: hot spiked apple cider! There’s something about sweet cinnamon and cloves with the subtle spicy finish of rum or bourbon that’s absolutely soul warming.
Alex and I love how the booze melds seamlessly into the hot cider, making a smooth sip and a cozy finish. It has just the right balance of spices with alcohol—and it makes your kitchen smell like a fall candle (a nice bonus!).
Ingredients in spiked apple cider
This spiked apple cider recipe is simmered with mulling spices, then combined with bourbon or rum for a tasty finish. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- High-quality apple cider, preferably from your farmers market or local orchard. We like unfiltered cider for the best flavor and color. If you’re in a time crunch, you can always buy a pre-spiced apple cider and add rum to that.
- Whole spices: cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Using the whole versions of these spices (not ground) is key to getting the best flavor. Star anise is the most unique: it should be available at your local grocery store or you can buy star anise online.
- Bourbon or rum: White, aged or dark rum works for the rum, or use your favorite brand of bourbon.
Why toasting the spices is key
The key to this spiked apple cider recipe is toasting the spices before adding the cider. Warming the spices in a dry pan releases their fragrance—and makes your kitchen smell amazing! It brings out the spiced flavor in the final sip.
Serving spiked apple cider for a party
Here are a few tips if you plan on serving this warming drink at a party:
- Double or triple it: You’ll need to use a larger pot to accommodate.
- Consider Crockpot or Instant Pot: Using a slow cooker to keep the spiked cider warm is great for parties. Head to our Slow Cooker Apple Cider.
- Spike the drinks individually: When you’re serving a crowd, it’s nice to have the flexibility to spike the cider for each person individually. This makes the drink work for both kids and adults.
Best alcohol for spiked apple cider
Rum or bourbon are the best choices for spiked cider, but brandy also works well. You can also add a small amount of orange liqueur like Triple Sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
Rum melds most seamlessly into the flavor of cider, making it our top choice. Any type of rum works: white rum, aged rum, or dark rum. Aged or dark add more flavor complexity with vanilla and oak notes.
Bourbon is a close second, and has a slightly more prominent flavor on the finish; use your favorite brand of bourbon.
Dietary notes
This hot spiked apple cider recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, and vegan.
Spiked Apple Cider
This hot spiked apple cider recipe hits all the cozy notes! Rum or bourbon perfectly complement the cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 drinks 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 3 star anise
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 8 cups apple cider
- 1 cup rum (of any kind) or bourbon
- For the garnish: star anise, cinnamon stick, orange slice
Instructions
- Toast the spices: Add the spices to the bottom of a pot*. Toast over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
- Simmer: Turn the heat to low. Pour in the apple cider and bring to below a simmer, just barely bubbling. Set a timer for 30 minutes and reduce to low heat (don’t let it simmer).
- Filter: Skim off any particulate that rises to the top of the pot using a fine mesh sieve or strainer (or you can pour it through a strainer into another pot).
- Serve: Pour in the rum or bourbon (or add 2 ounces to each 1 cup serving). Ladle into 8 mugs. If desired, garnish with star anise, cinnamon stick, or an orange slice.
Notes
*Or, go to Crockpot Apple Cider for slow cooker or Instant Pot instructions. Make the cider, then add the rum or bourbon before serving.
A few more cozy drinks
Here are a few more winter drinks and hot cocktails we recommend:
- Try classic cozy drinks like mulled wine, Irish coffee or hot buttered rum.
- Go for a hot toddy, or try spins like an apple cider hot toddy or rum hot toddy.
- Enjoy chocolate with spiked hot chocolate, hot peppermint patty or other adult hot chocolate recipes.
Love the idea of spiking apple cider with cinnamon and nutmeg! It sounds like a perfect fall treat. Can’t wait to try it out and enjoy a mug on a chilly evening. Thanks for sharing!
Love the idea of infusing cider with spices and flavors! Can’t wait to try this at home. The step-by-step instructions are super helpful too. Thanks for sharing!
Mmm, this spiked apple cider sounds like the perfect fall treat! I love the idea of adding a little booze to the classic apple cider recipe. Will have to give it a try and enjoy some warm and cozy nights with a glass of this delicious drink!
would it work to put the spices in coffee urn and then brew the cider?
That would make a mess of the coffee maker.
She’s hot.