This Spiked Apple Cider is a warm, cozy adult beverage made with apple cider, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, light brown sugar, and whiskey. It is a grown-up twist on a childhood favorite, perfect for a chilly evening or any time you are craving a sweet, spicy, boozy drink! It’s a wonderful drink to make in a slow cooker, especially if you have guests. If you are a fan of that warm, spiced flavor, I also have a Cinnamon Apple Moonshine that you may want to try!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Apple Cider: Apple cider is the base of the drink with its rich, sweet, and tart flavor. (I have a wonderful homemade recipe for you to use!) If you don’t have apple cider, high-quality apple juice would also work. Or, for something different, try pear cider. Or, if you want more tartness, use a blend of apple and cranberry juice.
- Orange: When adding the orange slices, keep the peel on the orange (no need to peel it)! The peel adds a hint of bitterness and makes the citrus flavor stronger in the cider.
- Cinnamon Sticks: I added three cinnamon sticks to the spiked apple cider. Then, have a few extra on hand for garnish! You could use ground cinnamon in a pinch–I would start with about a teaspoon, up to 1 1/2 teaspoons. You can always add more if needed.
- Brown Sugar: Add light brown sugar to the drink to give it a bit of sweetness with just a hint of molasses. If you don’t have brown sugar, you could try using honey, maple syrup, or dark brown sugar. Each of those may give the drink a little bit of a different flavor, but still delicious!
- Whiskey: To make this drink worthy of its ‘spiked’ title, I added whiskey to the mix! Choose your favorite whiskey. It helps bring out the warm, spiced flavors. Or, try it with bourbon, spiced rum, or brandy. Be sure to remove the mixture from the heat and remove the orange peels and cinnamon sticks before adding the whiskey.
Tips For Preparing Spiked Apple Cider Ahead Of Time
You can prepare this spiked apple cider ahead of time. (But, wait until serving until you add the whiskey.) Once you have the apple cider made, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to serve, heat it up. Then, add the whiskey. Cheers!
Easy Non-Alcoholic Spiced Apple Cider Recipe: Kid-Friendly & Delicious!
To make this apple cider kid-friendly and delicious for all ages, simply leave out the whiskey! In place of the whiskey, I like to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor. Then, don’t forget about the apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish!
How To Store Spiked Apple Cider
To store spiked apple cider, first, let it cool down. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to a week. Gently reheat the spiked apple cider on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
Spiked Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 1 gallon fresh apple cider
- 1 medium orange, sliced (unpeeled)
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup whiskey, adjusted to taste
- apple slices, for garnish
- cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Instructions
- To a large pot over medium heat, add the apple cider, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and light brown sugar.* Heat until it begins to simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from heat. Carefully remove the cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
- Stir in the whiskey.
- Serve the spiked cider warm in mugs.
- Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
Notes
- Add the apple cider, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and light brown sugar to the bowl of a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- Carefully remove cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
- Stir in the whiskey before serving.
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
Oh, wow, I love this! It's like the perfect fall drink, and the whiskey adds a nice kick without overpowering the other flavors.
Elizabeth
This drink will definitely warm you up on a cool day! I am glad I am an adult so I can enjoy the shot of whiskey in there! But, it is also really good without the alcohol!
Bella
This is really good! I could sip on one of these all evening, especially sitting by a fire!
Selena
Delicious! And, I like that you can make it with or without the whiskey and in a slow cooker!
