The best Spiked Apple Cider recipes

After mentioning my spiked apple cider in another post, I received a bunch of emails asking about it, so I thought I'd give you the run down on all my favorite spiked cider recipes. I mean, it is that time of year when the air turns cooler and warm drinks suddenly sound more enticing...and what says Autumn better than hot cider?

In all my years working in bars and restaurants my favorite job was coming up with new concoctions for seasonal menus, and fall was no different. I would often add liquors to hot apple cider for a yummy winter warm up! 

Apple cider is pretty versatile after all. You can add everything from flavored vodka to cordials, red wine or rum. It all depends on whether you want your cider drink to taste like liquid candy or something more bracing.

Pro tip: be careful with the liquid candy ones, they will knock you on your butt! lol

I like to start with a jug of fresh apple cider, but since that's not always in season a packet of apple cider mix will do. You can buy it in regular or sugar free. 

What alcohol can I add to apple cider?

There are so many great combinations to choose from! As with any mixed drink you can make it weaker by using more of your mixer (the cider) and stronger by using less. You'll also find that one ounce of a strong liquor like rum makes a more bracing drink than an ounce of a schnapps or cordial. 

Directions:
Warm up the cider and pour into a mug, or prepare the mix as instructed on the package. This is where you can get creative! You can make any one of these flavors by adding different liqueurs.

Fire Cider
1oz Fireball whiskey

Poison apple
1/2oz whiskey, fill with apple cider. Drizzle 1/2 oz Campari into glass slowly so it settles on the bottom.

Caramel apple:
1oz Butterscotch schnapps, or Caramel vodka

Orange~Apple Cider:
1oz Grand Mariner 

Spiced Apple cider:
1oz Captain Morgans spiced rum

Green Apple:
1oz Apple Pucker schnapps 

Cinnamon Apple:
1oz Cinnamon schnapps

Jersey Cider:
1oz AppleJack liquor

Apple pie:
1/2oz Tauca and 1/2oz Vanilla vodka 

Witches Brew:
1oz Red wine and cloves

Bonus: Spiced Pumpkin apple
1oz Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie vodka 

While I did list exact amounts of liquor to add, you can also 'add liquor to taste'. If you were in a bar/restaurant they would add about 1 shot or 1oz of liquor in a cup of cider.

I like to add a Cinnamon stick or pumpkin spice marshmallows. I'm not a huge fan of whipped cream in these, but if that's your thing then give it a try! Try a drizzle of caramel in the bottom and along the lip of your mug first for a little extra flavor. 

Pretty much the sky is the limit when garnishing your glass. If you like something and it sounds like it would go well...give it a try! You'd be surprised at what works! I was at a party once where they used caramel apple lollipops to stir each cup of cider. Yum!

Enjoy!

~L

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