Description
A cozy, warm, and customizable spiked hot apple cider punch infused with cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. Perfect for fall gatherings, this easy recipe takes just 20 minutes to prepare and offers a comforting autumn flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon (3.7 liters) Apple Cider (preferably fresh, unfiltered)
- 1 cup (240ml) Orange Juice
- 3 large Cinnamon Sticks
- 3–4 Star Anise pods
- 1 teaspoon Whole Cloves
- 1 teaspoon Black Peppercorns
- 1.5 to 2 cups (350-470ml) Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
- Orange Slices (for garnish)
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs (for garnish, optional)
- Apple Chips (for garnish, optional)
- Whipped Cream (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Measure out the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and peppercorns into a small bowl or spice bag.
- Pour the apple cider and orange juice into a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
- Add the whole spices to the pot.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a gentle simmer (small bubbles around the edges). Do not let it boil.
- Reduce heat to low and let the spices steep for 10-15 minutes to infuse the flavor.
- Stir in the bourbon or whiskey. Keep the heat on low and do not boil to preserve the alcohol content.
- Taste the punch and adjust as needed: add more cider if too strong, more orange juice if too sweet, or additional spices if desired.
- Strain out the spices or fish them out with a slotted spoon.
- Ladle into mugs or heat-proof glasses.
- Garnish with orange slices, rosemary sprigs, or cinnamon sticks and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not boil the alcohol after adding it, as this will drive off the ethanol. For best flavor, use whole spices rather than ground spices to avoid a cloudy, gritty texture. You can make the spiced cider base up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge; add the alcohol just before serving. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the whiskey and add sparkling water for fizz.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Carbohydrates: 22
Keywords: hot apple cider, spiked punch, fall drink, bourbon cider, holiday cocktail, easy recipe, autumn drinks, warm beverages