Spiked Apple Cider

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Dec 01, 2023, Updated Sep 06, 2024

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This spiked apple cider recipe is packed with warming spices, featuring a hint of caramel, citrus, allspice, cinnamon, and a kick of rum. It’s sure to be the star of every soiree this holiday season, from Thanksgiving through the New Year.

A glass cup filled with spiked apple cider garnished with apple slices, thyme, anise, and a cinnamon stick.

Attention, fellow fall fanatics! I’d like to introduce you to an easy homemade cocktail recipe you’re sure to fall in love with! This hot spiked apple cider recipe is a delicious concoction of spiced apple cider subtly flavored with orange and caramel and “spiked” with a generous splash of toasty rum. It’s the perfect mulled cider drink to warm you up on a chilly day as the weather gets cooler.

Why I Love This Spiked Apple Cider Recipe

Heartwarming. This delicious, perfect fall cocktail combines mulling spices, caramel, and rich apple cider to create a warming and indulgent experience.
Versatile. This fall favorite sipper can be made with different spices and herbs or different kinds of booze. You could even make a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail or serve it on the rocks once it’s cooled.
Crowd friendly. This spiked apple cider recipe is the best for hosting. It’s so easy to scale up. I recommend keeping a large batch in a crockpot on low heat for the duration of your party.

Overhead image of all the ingredients used for spiked apple cider.

Ingredient Notes

When making this spiked apple cider cocktail recipe, you’ll find that most of the ingredients are simple and easy to grab at your local grocery store. This easy recipe comes together quickly, and with just a few key ingredients, you’ll have a warm mug of cider perfect for those crisp evenings.

Apple cider (a.k.a. unfiltered apple juice): You could use standard apple juice, but it won’t be the same. Apple cider is a little thicker than regular apple juice and will give your cocktail a far superior apple flavor.
Orange juice: Select a no-pulp product.
Caramel ice cream topping: This is my secret ingredient – it adds a touch of indulgence. Maple syrup would also work for a different flavor profile.
Ground cinnamon and allspice: This is where the warming, festive flavors come in.
Dark rum: Or a different liquor or dark spirits of your choosing, like whisky or your favorite bourbon. Caramel vodka is also an excellent choice.
Brown sugar: This is optional. I use it to add a sweet rim to the mugs.
Cinnamon sticks: They make for an ideal garnish.

How to Make Spiked Apple Cider

Making this favorite fall drink is a breeze and a great way to warm up this time of year. With just a few simple steps, as shown below, you’ll have a warm, spiced cider perfect for parties! Or for a quiet evening at home.

Infusing apple cider with spices, caramel, orange juice, and apple slices. — Combine the ingredients and simmer.

Adding rum to spiced apple cider in a pot on the stove. — Combine the ingredients and simmer.

Adding brown sugar to the rim of 2 glass mugs. — Rim the drinking glasses with brown sugar.

Two mugs of spiked apple cider garnished with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and apple slices. — Rim the drinking glasses with brown sugar.

Infuse flavor. Combine the apple juice, orange juice, caramel, cinnamon, and allspice in a large saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Make it boozy. Remove the cider from the heat and stir in the rum.
Fancy rims. Wet the rim of each of your mugs and dip the rims in a plate full of brown sugar to create a sweet, decorative brown sugar rim.
Serve. Ladle the cider into the mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Make It In The Slow Cooker

To make this in the crockpot, simply combine all the ingredients except the alcohol and cook on low for about 6 hours. Once it’s done, switch the crockpot to the warm setting and stir in the rum (or your choice of alcohol) just before serving. This way, you’ll keep the flavors warm and cozy without cooking off the alcohol!

Overhead image of two glass mugs of spiked apple cider garnished with cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and greens.

Recipe Tips And Variations

Use real apple cider. Apple cider is the pure, unfiltered juice made from freshly pressed apples.
Alcohol choices. Instead of rum, you could use whisky, bourbon, Cointreau, Tuaca, and amaretto. If you choose a liqueur such as Cointreau, Tuaca, or amaretto, opt for 1/2 oz per serving of cider.
Experiment with flavors. I used cinnamon and allspice, but feel free to add star anise, cloves, vanilla bean, ginger, juniper berries, and/or rosemary sprigs to the mix.
Steep smart. I like gathering any whole spices and/or herbs I am using to flavor my cider in a loose-leaf tea holder to steep. This way you won’t end up with random bits of rosemary in your mouth as you sip.
Serve from a slow cooker. Make the cider in a crock pot and leave it on the low/warm setting for the duration of your gathering.
Play with garnishes. I love tossing some fresh orange slices and/or whole cranberries into a batch of this cider just before serving. It adds a lovely visual appeal and some extra flavor.
Try it chilled. This recipe is just as delicious when served chilled from the fridge! Pour it over some ice and sip!

Serving Suggestions

I almost always serve spiked hot apple cider at holiday parties with an array of finger foods such as my classic deviled eggs and this pesto puff pastry wreath. It’s also great to sip alongside a lengthier festive feast involving oven roasted turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, and prime rib.

Let’s not dismiss how wonderful spiked cider is on its own, perhaps with a slice of pumpkin pie or an apple crumble. Swoon.

A hand holding a glass mug filled with spiked apple cider garnished with apple slices, thyme, anise, and a cinnamon stick.

How to Store Extras

To store: Let it cool to room temperature before sealing it in an airtight container and storing it in the fridge. It will keep for up to 5 days. You can freeze this cocktail before the alcohol is added. Seal it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 4 months.
To reheat. Leftover spiked apple cider is great cold over ice but, if you want it warm, reheat it over medium-low heat on the stovetop. You can also pop a mug in the microwave and heat it in 30-second intervals until warm.

Easy Holiday Cocktails to Try

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