Warm Spiked Apple Cider (with rum or bourbon)
This spiked apple cider is made with apple cider, warming spices, and a splash of bourbon or spiced rum. It's cozy, aromatic, and ready in about 15 minutes.
This spiked apple cider is the kind of warm, cozy drink I keep coming back to. It's made with apple cider simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, peppercorns, and fresh ginger, then finished with a splash of bourbon or spiced rum.
I love how the spices infuse the cider with a deep, aromatic warmth while the apple keeps it bright and gently sweet. The whiskey or rum adds a smooth, mellow finish, making each sip feel rich and comforting.
It's easy to make, ready in about 15 minutes, and perfect for sharing. Poured into a mug with a cinnamon-sugar rim, it's simple, inviting, and always a good idea when you want something warm and full of flavor.
Warm Spiked Apple Cider (with rum or bourbon)
Ingredients
- 4 cups unfiltered apple juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 slices ginger
- 1 star anise
- ½ teaspoon peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup bourbon or spiced rum
Method
- Add the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, anise, and peppercorns to a pot and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 10 minutes.4 cups unfiltered apple juice, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, 2 slices ginger, 1 star anise, ½ teaspoon peppercorns
- Strain the cider through a fine mesh sieve.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small dish. Wet the rims of the glasses, then dip the rims into the sugar.1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Divide the bourbon between the two glasses, then top with the spiced apple cider.½ cup bourbon or spiced rum
