Hot Bourbon Apple Cider Recipe
This Hot Bourbon Apple Cider is warm, aromatic, and deeply comforting—infused with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, citrus, and bay, then finished with smooth bourbon. It's an easy make-ahead cocktail that fills your kitchen with the most irresistible holiday aroma and is perfect for cozy gatherings, winter parties, and festive celebrations.
How to Make the Best Hot Bourbon Apple Cider
There’s nothing quite like the warm, aromatic comfort of a hot bourbon apple cider, especially during the holidays. This Hot Bourbon Apple Cider is the ultimate winter cocktail—a sophisticated take on spiked cider that’s both elegant and easy to make. The warm blend of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and bright citrus fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma while the smooth bourbon adds warmth and depth.
What makes this recipe so special is how it combines the best of both worlds: the cozy, comforting nature of spiced apple cider with the sophistication of a boozy cocktail. The spices infuse into the cider slowly, allowing their flavors to mellow and meld together, creating a beautifully balanced drink that’s far more refined than basic spiked cider. Unlike many hot cocktails that taste harsh or alcohol-forward, this one achieves the perfect harmony between the spices, cider, and bourbon.
This is also an incredibly practical recipe for entertaining—you can make the spiced cider base hours ahead of time, then simply reheat and add bourbon to each serving. It’s the perfect drink for holiday parties, winter gatherings, or any time you want to create a warm, festive atmosphere. Serve it with dried orange slices and star anise for a garnish that’s as beautiful as it is aromatic.
Hot Bourbon Apple Cider
This Hot Bourbon Apple Cider is warm, aromatic, and deeply comforting—infused with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, citrus, and bay, then finished with smooth bourbon. It's an easy make-ahead cocktail that fills your kitchen with the most irresistible holiday aroma and is perfect for cozy gatherings, winter parties, and festive celebrations.
Ingredients
Spiced Cider
To Serve
Instructions
Prepare the Spiced Cider
- Place apple cider in a Dutch oven with cinnamon sticks, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, bay leaves, and a large strip of orange zest (use a vegetable peeler).
- Add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil, then lower to a gentle simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes or longer, letting the spices infuse.
- Add juice from half the orange and taste, adjusting spices and orange juice to your preference.
Serve
- Pour a 1-2 ounce shot of bourbon into a mug.
- Ladle the hot spiced cider over the bourbon.
- Garnish with a dried orange slice, star anise, or cinnamon stick.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for make-ahead—prepare the spiced cider base ahead of time and simply reheat and add bourbon when serving.
- The cider can be made with whole or ground spices. Whole spices will infuse longer for deeper flavor.
- Serves 12 with 1-2 ounces of bourbon per serving.
