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Cozy Spiked Apple Cider with Cinnamon Whiskey – Easy Fall Cocktail

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A warm and comforting fall cocktail made with apple cider, cinnamon whiskey, and whole spices. This easy-to-scale drink is perfect for gatherings and tastes like a hug in a mug.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 oz (1.9 liters) apple cider
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cinnamon whiskey (e.g., Fireball or Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey
  • 3–4 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon (about 10-12) whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise (optional)
  • 1 large orange (zest and juice)
  • Apple slices (for garnish, e.g., Honeycrisp or Fuji)
  • Cinnamon sugar (for rimming glasses, optional: 2 tablespoons sugar + 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)

Instructions

  1. Prepare garnishes: Slice orange into thin rounds, then cut each round in half. Slice apple into thin half-moons. Toss apple slices in lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside in fridge.
  2. Combine base ingredients: Pour apple cider into a large pot or slow cooker. Add honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise (if using).
  3. Add orange: Zest half the orange directly into the pot, squeeze in juice from the whole orange, and drop in the spent orange halves.
  4. Heat: On stovetop, bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat (do not boil). For slow cooker, set to low and warm for about 2 hours.
  5. Steep: Once hot and steaming (about 15 minutes on stovetop), reduce heat to low and let steep for 20 minutes.
  6. Strain: Pour cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl or pot to remove spices and orange pieces.
  7. Add whiskey: Let strained cider cool for 1-2 minutes, then stir in cinnamon whiskey.
  8. Taste and adjust: Add more honey for sweetness or more whiskey for a stronger kick.
  9. Serve: Ladle into mugs. If using cinnamon sugar rim, rim glasses before pouring. Garnish with apple slice and orange half-moon. Serve hot.

Notes

Don’t skip the steeping step for deeper flavor. Keep heat at a gentle simmer to avoid boiling off alcohol and flattening the cider. For parties, make a double batch and keep warm in a slow cooker. Rim glasses with cinnamon sugar ahead of time. For non-alcoholic version, omit whiskey and add extra cinnamon stick and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiked apple cider, cinnamon whiskey, fall cocktail, warm drink, apple cider recipe, easy cocktail, party drink

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/cozy-spiked-apple-cider-with-cinnamon-whiskey-easy-fall-cocktail/