Warm Spiked Apple Cider (with rum or bourbon)

ByKristen Stevens

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.

A cocktail in a glass with a brown sugar rim, garnished with a green apple slice, star anise, and a cinnamon stick. Save

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.

A cocktail in a glass with a brown sugar rim, garnished with a green apple slice, star anise, and a cinnamon stick. Save
Kristen Stevens

Warm Spiked Apple Cider (with rum or bourbon)

A spiked apple cider made with apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, peppercorns, fresh ginger, and bourbon or spiced rum. Warm, fragrant, and easy to make.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American

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
 

  1. 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
    A saucepan filled with amber-colored liquid, containing a cinnamon stick, star anise, and whole black peppercorns, sits on a white surface. Save
  2. Strain the cider through a fine mesh sieve.
    A mesh strainer with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and ginger slices sits over a pot of amber-colored liquid. Save
  3. 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
    A clear, empty glass with a faceted design and a rim coated in brown sugar crystals sits against a white background. Save
  4. Divide the bourbon between the two glasses, then top with the spiced apple cider.
    ½ cup bourbon or spiced rum
    Overhead view of a glass with a brown beverage, garnished with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick, and a rim coated with sugar and spices. Save
Two glasses of apple cider cocktail garnished with apple slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, featuring a brown sugar rim. Apples and spices are placed nearby. Save
Two apple cider cocktails garnished with apple slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, with sugared rims. Apples and spices are on the white surface beside the drinks. Save

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