Fall drinks week continues with this über comforting and oh-so-autumn Bourbon Spiked Hot (or cold) Apple Cider.
I was feeling obnoxiously fall this past weekend. Halloween had just ended, the leaves were falling, the air was crisp (and wet. it is Portland after all), and I couldn’t stop rummaging through cookbooks for fall recipe ideas. On Sunday I took full advantage of my extra daylight savings hour to cook up a fall storm.
Inspired by one of my favorite cookbooks, Barefoot Contessa Parties!, I made several of Ina Garten’s recipes, all very fall themed, including; Butternut Squash and Apple Soup (so very good!), her amazingly perfect Old Fashioned Apple Crisp (I make it every fall), and to pair, some Hot Mulled Apple Cider. Only I didn’t make the cider the exact way she recommended in her cookbook, instead I altered it for ingredients I had available. Plus, I was only serving 4, not 10 like the recipe calls for. Oh yeah, and I spiked it with booze!
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I served the virgin version to the kids and spiked the adults version with bourbon. You should too. Bourbon is yummy.
- 4 cups apple cider
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- Bourbon recommend Bulleit or Basil Hayden’s
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Place the apple cider, cinnamon stick, orange juice, cloves and star anise in a small pot and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain into a pitcher.
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In glass add 2 oz bourbon and 1 cup of the cider mix.
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Garnish with an orange slice and stick of cinnamon.
Alternatively you can serve it cold. Allow the mixture to cool, strain, and then serve over ice.
Super refreshing and yet still quite comforting when served over ice.
This is also an excellent cocktail for Thanksgiving too!
The hot version would go well with pumpkin pie. Or serve cold over ice as an aperitif when your guests are arriving.
Related:
For more recipes with wine pairing check out the Recipe Index.
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I love hot apple cider.. and I bet the addition of bourbon really kicks the overall flavour of it up! Definitely a recipe I can see myself making all throughout the upcoming Christmas period.
Thanks 🙂 It’s definitely a very festive drink for the upcoming holidays!
I was sold on this a drink as soon as I saw it has cider in it. Yum, could do with a glass or two right now. Pinned
Ha! Thanks! And yes, I could go for one now too… and it’s only 7am 😉
Great looking drink, amazing recipe. 🙂
Thank you!!
Yup. I am so making this after work today. I have some honey bourbon that I imagine would be awesome with this! Pinning!
Oh yes, that sounds perfect! Enjoy your drink 🙂
I had to share it with my subdivision’s recipe blog…Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Maricela 🙂
Great article. I’m going through a few of these issues as well..
Just made this and it’s delicious! Thanks!
Wohoo! Glad you enjoyed 🙂