Description
A simple, warm, and cozy winter cocktail made with fresh apple cider, bourbon or rye whiskey, and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It takes only 5 minutes of active time to prepare and is perfect for holiday gatherings or quiet nights by the fire.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon (3.7 liters) fresh refrigerated apple cider
- 1.5 to 2 cups (350-475ml) Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
- 2–3 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ cup (120ml) Orange Juice
- 2–3 tablespoons Brown Sugar (optional, to taste)
- Garnish: Cinnamon sticks, orange slices, whole cloves
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider into a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven.
- Place the pot over medium-low heat and warm the cider until it is steaming hot but not boiling (about 8-10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Add the ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to the hot cider. Stir well to combine.
- Let the spiced cider simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Remove the pot from the heat. This is crucial to prevent the alcohol from evaporating.
- Stir in the bourbon or rye whiskey and the orange juice. Add brown sugar if desired and stir until dissolved.
- Taste the mixture and adjust as needed: add more cider if too strong, or lemon juice if too sweet.
- Ladle the cider into mugs or glasses.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, orange slice, and a few cloves.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
[‘Do not boil the whiskey; add it after removing the pot from heat to preserve the alcohol content.’, ‘Use fresh, refrigerated apple cider for the best flavor; shelf-stable juice is too sweet and lacks tartness.’, ‘Ground cinnamon disperses better than sticks, but sticks can be used if strained out later.’, ‘The non-alcoholic base can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge.’, ‘For a non-alcoholic version, omit the whiskey and add a splash of vanilla extract.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 22
Keywords: cinnamon whiskey apple cider, winter cocktail, hot cider, bourbon cocktail, holiday drinks, cozy winter drink, easy cocktail, spiced apple cider