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Best Easy Cozy Spiked Cinnamon Apple Cider Recipe

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This cozy spiked cinnamon apple cider is the ultimate drink for a chilly evening, combining warm apple cider with bourbon and aromatic spices. It’s a soul-soothing, crowd-pleasing treat that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 64 oz (1.9 L) apple cider
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) bourbon (e.g., Buffalo Trace or Maker’s Mark)
  • 1 large orange (juice and peel)
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1-inch (2.5 cm) piece fresh ginger, sliced into thin coins

Instructions

  1. Prep the Aromatics: Using a vegetable peeler, peel 4-5 wide strips of orange zest from the orange, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange into a small bowl. Slice the ginger into thin coins. Set aside.
  2. Combine the Base: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the apple cider, orange juice, orange peel strips, sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise.
  3. Simmer Gently: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle simmer (small bubbles, not a rolling boil). Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
  4. Sweeten to Taste: After 20 minutes, taste the cider. Stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Taste again and add the remaining tablespoon if desired.
  5. Remove from Heat and Add the Spirit: Remove the pot from the heat. Strain the hot cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a large heat-proof bowl or another pot, discarding the solids. Stir in the bourbon.
  6. Serve Immediately: Ladle the spiked cider into mugs. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick and a slice of apple or orange if desired.

Notes

For a party, prepare the spiced cider base (without bourbon) a day in advance. Refrigerate, then reheat gently and add bourbon just before serving. Do not boil the cider; keep at a gentle simmer. Use whole spices, not ground, to avoid cloudiness and grit. Taste as you go to adjust sweetness and spice.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiked apple cider, cinnamon apple cider, bourbon cider, hot cider, fall drink, holiday drink, cozy drink, apple cider recipe

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/best-easy-cozy-spiked-cinnamon-apple-cider-recipe/