Hot Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

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This hot apple cider bourbon cocktail is a festive spiked mulled cider with notes of the sweet, oaky spirit. The perfect cocktail to cozy up with all fall and holiday season long.

Pour the hot apple cider into the mug partially filled with bourbon.

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I’m not gonna lie.

My blood type is definitely pumpkin spice from the end of August through the holiday season.

While you can find me happily sipping pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin spice chai teas, I’d be remiss to forgo on apple cider.

I love warm apple cider just as much and it’s such a cozy way to enjoy a hot drink when you don’t want the extra caffeine. (I hear some people don’t mainline it the way I do. What’s that like?)

And I absolutely adore adult apple cider beverages.

You know spiked mulled cider cocktails like these cozy, warm bourbon apple cider cocktails.

All the sweet, refreshing apple cider flavor warmed with notes of citrus, warming cinnamon and mulling spices, and a healthy shot of oaky bourbon.

If that doesn’t say happy holidays, I don’t know what does!

Ingredients and Kitchen Gadgets

Ingredients for Hot Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail: Bourbon, Apple Cider, Oranges, Cinnamon

To make this hot apple cider cocktail, you’ll need:

Apple cider– Use your favorite brand or use our homemade apple cider.
Bourbon– You can use your favorite brand, or you could substitue brandy or cognac for the bourbon.
Mulling spices– Cinnamon sticks, and optional all spice and whole cloves give the spiked mulled cider some extra depth and warmth.
Orange slices – The orange slices add fresh, citrus flavor and a hint of sweetness to the cider.
Garnishes- Cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and apple slices are totally optional but help dress your cocktails up so they look as pretty and festive as your holiday table.

For this hot boubon apple cider cocktail, you might want to pick up:

Medium Pot
Fine Mesh Strainer
Jigger – These are a must for anyone who likes mixing their own drinks at home so you can add just the right amount of liquor.

How to Make Hot Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktails

1. Heat up the apple cider.

Warm the apple cider on the stove with orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Do not add the bourbon.

Pour the apple cider into a medium sized pot on the stove set over medium low heat.

Add in the cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange slices, and allspice.

Bring everything to a simmer.

2. Spike the apple cider cocktails with bourbon.

Use a jigger to measure out 2 ounces of bourbon.

If you do not have a jigger, this is about the same amount as 1/4 cup, so you can use a measuring cup instead.

Pour the bourbon into the first mug.

Then measure your bourbon for the second mug and pour it into that mug.

Repeat the process for each mug.

3. Pour the cider into individual mugs.

Hold the strainer over a mug and carefully laddle the cider into the mug.

Repeat for each mug.

Before serving, you can add orange slices or cinnamon sticks to the mugs as garnish.

Storing and Serving

This hot bourbon apple cider cocktail is best served fresh and warm in individual mugs.

Once made, it is a bit more challenging to reheat because you will cook off some of the bourbon.

If you have to store it, you can pour it into an airtight container or pitcher in the fridge.

It should stay fresh in the fridge for several days.

Slow Cooker Apple Cider Cocktails

Hot apple cider bourbon cocktails — Hot Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

You can make these in the slow cooker if you prefer.

To do it, just add the apple cider, mulling spices, and orange slices to the bowl of your slow cooker and heat it on low until the cider is nice and steamy.

Do not add the bourbon.

Once the cider is warm and steamy, measure the bourbon out into mugs and ladle in the slow cooker cider.

Serve and enjoy!

FAQs

What alcohol goes best with apple cider?

Bourbon is a classic alcohol added to apple cider due to its vanilla and caramel tones. You could also use dark or spiced rums, cognac, or brandy.

What is apple cider with alcohol called?

Hard cider is a term often used to describe apple cider that contains alcohol, like bourbon.

How to make hard cider?

Heat up the apple cider in a pot and pour it into a mug. Measure out a 2 ounce serving of bourbon or your favorite liquor and add a serving to each mug.

What pairs nicely with apple cider?

Several salty seafood options, including oysters, crabs, shrimp, and scallops pair nicely with apple cider. The salty flavor helps to balance out the sweetness of apple cider.

Tips and Tricks

You can add more or less bourbon to the warm apple cider. The more you add, the stronger each spiked mulled cider will get.
If you don’t have or like bourbon, you could try cognac or brandy instead. You could also add in spiced or dark rums instead.
Do not heat the bourbon with the apple cider. It will start to cook the alcohol off.
For a slightly sweeter hot apple cider cocktail, you can add a little brown sugar to the cider as it heats. If you choose to, you want to start small and taste before adding more. We’d recommend about 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time so it does not get too sweet.
We add mulling spices to the apple cider because store bought varieties often do not have that warm spicy taste to them. You can skip these if you want, but they definitely add some festive notes of flavor to the drink.
These make a really yummy after dinner dessert style drink. Serve them with Easy Apple Cider Bundt Cake or Easy Apple Cider Donuts (with Cake Mix)

Other Apple Cocktails and Drinks

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