Cozy Spiked Apple Cider – Easy Cinnamon Whiskey Recipe
This cozy spiked apple cider with cinnamon whiskey is the perfect warm drink for chilly evenings. It’s sweet, spiced, and just strong enough to take the edge off a long week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (48 ounces) apple cider
- 1 cup (8 ounces) cinnamon whiskey
- 3 to 4 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves (about 6 to 8 cloves)
- 2 whole star anise pods (optional)
- 1 medium orange, sliced into thin rounds
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Garnishes: extra cinnamon sticks, fresh apple slices, or ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider into a large pot or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high until tiny bubbles form around the edges (about 3 to 4 minutes). Do not boil.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise pods. Stir gently.
- Add the orange slices (studded with cloves if desired). Let simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and let the cider simmer for another 5 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Pour in the cinnamon whiskey and stir gently. Let warm through for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not boil.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or strength as desired. Add honey or maple syrup if needed.
- Strain through a fine-mesh strainer if desired, or ladle directly into mugs, avoiding whole cloves.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice. Serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t boil the cider to avoid reducing it too much. Add the whiskey last to preserve alcohol content. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute cinnamon whiskey with strong cinnamon tea or apple juice with cinnamon extract. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days; strain out spices before storing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug (about 8 ounce
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 28
Keywords: spiked apple cider, cinnamon whiskey, hot cider, fall cocktail, easy cocktail, cozy drink