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Cozy Spiked Apple Cider with Cinnamon Whiskey + Mocktail Option

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This cozy spiked apple cider with cinnamon whiskey is the kind of recipe that makes you look like a hero with almost zero effort. It’s perfect for everything from chilly weeknights to holiday gatherings, with a kid-friendly mocktail version that makes everyone happy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (64 oz) high-quality apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into thin rounds
  • 4 cinnamon sticks (plus extra for garnish)
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1 ½ cups (12 oz) cinnamon whiskey (like Fireball or Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire)
  • Optional: apple brandy or calvados for deeper apple flavor
  • 1 cup (8 oz) sparkling apple cider or ginger ale (for mocktail)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon extract or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for mocktail)
  • Optional: ¼ cup apple juice concentrate (for mocktail)
  • Whipped cream (optional, for garnish)
  • Caramel sauce for drizzling (optional)
  • Fresh apple slices or cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pour the 8 cups of apple cider into a large pot. Add the orange slices, 4 cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, and 2 star anise pods (if using). Drizzle in the 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey. Stir well.
  2. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil). Immediately reduce heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  3. After 15 minutes, remove the pot from heat. Using a slotted spoon or fine-mesh strainer, remove the orange slices and whole spices. You can leave a cinnamon stick in for visual appeal if desired.
  4. For the spiked version (adults): Ladle the hot cider into mugs, filling them about ¾ full. Add 2 ounces (¼ cup) of cinnamon whiskey to each mug. Stir gently. Taste and adjust as desired.
  5. For the kid-friendly mocktail version: In a separate small saucepan, warm 1 cup of the base cider over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon extract and ¼ cup of sparkling apple cider or ginger ale. Pour into mugs.
  6. Top each mug with a generous swirl of whipped cream (if using). Drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra touch. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick or a thin apple slice. Serve immediately while steaming hot.

Notes

Don’t boil the cider as it becomes bitter and murky. Taste as you go since sweetness of apple cider varies. The base cider can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. For a crowd, keep the base cider warm in a slow cooker on the ‘keep warm’ setting and let guests add their own whiskey or mocktail mix-ins. The base cider tastes even better on day two as the spices meld together.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiked apple cider, cinnamon whiskey, hot apple cider, fall drink, holiday drink, mocktail, kid-friendly, apple cider recipe

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/cozy-spiked-apple-cider-with-cinnamon-whiskey-plus-mocktail-option/