Quick Hot Apple Cider Recipe

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When the weather starts to get cooler, it feels like a magical time of the year! The air is crisp and chilly, and you can see the leaves changing colors on the trees. It’s a sign that the holidays are coming, and everyone starts to feel a sense of excitement and joy. One of the best things about this season is enjoying delicious treats like hot apple cider, homemade sugar donuts and apple picking!

Let’s take a look at a quick and easy hot apple cider recipe that anyone can make in under 5 minutes.

Simple Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Are you ready to try a quick and delicious hot apple cider recipe made on the stovetop? Here’s how you can make it in no time! Pour some apple cider into a pot and let it warm up over medium heat. Add a sprinkle of brown sugar, a splash of vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon to enhance the flavor. Stir everything together until the brown sugar dissolves, and let it simmer for a few minutes. Once it’s nice and hot, pour the creamy and aromatic apple cider into your favorite mugs.

Hot Apple Cider Recipe Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

• 4 cups of apple cider
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream

Step 2: Heat the apple cider

In a medium-sized pot, pour the apple cider and place it on the stovetop over medium heat. Let the cider warm up but avoid boiling it.

Step 3: Add the flavorings

Once the cider is warm, add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon to the pot. Stir the mixture well to ensure the sugar and spices blend evenly.

Step 4: Simmer the cider

Allow the cider to simmer for about 5-7 minutes, letting the flavors meld together and the brown sugar dissolve completely. Keep an eye on the pot to prevent boiling.

Step 5: Add the cream

Reduce the heat to low and slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously. The cream will add a creamy texture and richness to the cider.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

Once the cream is fully incorporated and the cider is hot, turn off the heat. Pour the creamy hot apple cider into warm mugs and serve immediately. Enjoy the delightful taste of fall and the comforting warmth of this delicious drink!

Apple Cider Garnish Ideas

You can garnish each serving with a cinnamon stick or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.

Hot Apple Cider With Alcohol

Spiked hot apple cider can be served not only for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday but Christmas as well. It’s the perfect after dinner drink for adults and for those of you who want to add a little extra kick, try a dash (or more) of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum which is absolutely delicious!

Here are some quick tips when pairing alcohol with apple cider:

1. Spiced rum complements the warm apple flavors and adds a touch of caramel and spice to the hot apple cider.
2. Bourbon adds a pleasant oaky richness and enhances the sweetness of the cider, creating a perfect balance.
3. Brandy imparts a smooth and fruity note, elevating the cider’s taste and providing a sophisticated twist.
4. Whiskey introduces a smoky and robust character, giving the hot apple cider a bold and distinct flavor profile.
5. Dark rum offers a deep, molasses-like taste that harmonizes beautifully with the cider’s sweetness, making it a delightful pairing.

This rich and creamy recipe is also perfect for kids (minus the Rum). Garnish with whip cream, caramel and a hint of cinnamon and they think this is a super special drink that took hours to prepare. Oh and don’t forget the cinnamon stick!

Hot Apple Cider With Sugar Rim

I personally love a sugared rim on any warm drink during the Fall and holiday season. To create the sugared rim, I used maple syrup and spread a thin layer around the rim of the glass (with my finger) and dipped the glass in brown sugar. Many also use a lemon wedge to wet the glass rim, I didn’t have a lemon so I thought syrup would work and it did!

Do you prefer the sugar rim or the whip cream?

For me personally, apple cider can sometimes taste a bit tart for my liking but the addition of whipping cream tends to lessen the tart taste and I will admit, the smooth creamy blend is delicious. So what do you think? Are you loving the idea of a hot apple cider cocktail? These two are!

We hope you are inspired to try our hot apple cider drink. I mean it approved by these two above and they certainly wouldn’t steer you wrong when it comes to food or drinks 😉 ha. Now it’s time for you to head over to my friends (who have slow cooker recipes too!) and see what they have cooked up!  

More Fall Cocktails That You Will Love

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Cocktail – Home Stories A to Z | Pumpkin Pie Martini – Sand & Sisal | Low Calorie Hot Apple Pie Cocktail – The Picket Fence | Mulled Wine – TidyMom | |Cranberry Fizz Mocktail – Thistlewood Farms