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The holiday season can’t be beat – neither can this fantastic spiked spiced rum cider co*cktail! Hot Apple Cider (spiked with rum) is the perfect treat for any an fall celebration, Thanksgiving or holiday)! If you’re looking for a perfect chilly weather co*cktail, this is it. This rum based co*cktail is a perfect way to warm up!
There is absolutely nothing better on a crisp fall afternoon or at a holiday party than a mug of hot apple cider. Spike it with rum and it’s even better! This is an easy to make recipe for homemade hot apple cider that’s mulled on the stove or in the crock pot (slow cooker )should you decide that you want to be out of the kitchen when guests arrive! Either way, this recipe will fill your guests with all of the warm, spiced feelings of the fall and holiday season (as early as Halloween)!
I make this spiked cider all the time starting in the fall. A cider and rum recipe that includes brown sugar, apples, cinnamon, and spiked rum? There isn’t any hot apple cider mix here. Just a simple rum and apple cider co*cktail. Stir it up with cinnamon sticks and it can’t be beat.
Apple Cider Drink Recipes
There’s a recipe to follow, for those who go by the book. However; you should feel free to make this recipe your own. For instance, I have developed this recipe to include cardamom. It’s a warm spice that I haven’t used nearly enough. Cardamom is usually part of the apple spice mix you would use to make a pie. My good friend Amber, who has introduced me to so many wonderful things asked me to make something special with cardamom. What? I’ve never used that spice! (Yes, I know. Don’t judge). Before I could develop something I thought she might like I had to do some research. I had to gain an understanding of what this spice really was and where it came from.
Cinnamon sticks and orange slices make every apple cider better – but what about cardamom?
I used to take the back roads to work, which was forty five minutes away. My drive would take me through some beautiful New England roads. Every year I’d wait for the apple stand to open up. Man it was incredible. A couple of times each week on my way home I’d stop and get fresh apples, cider, and pick up fresh cinnamon sticks. I’d add the cinnamon sticks to the cider along with some orange slices into a slow cooker and enjoy the heavenly smell for the rest of the night. It was heaven.
Now, on to cardamom. I may not of heard of cardamom before because it’s mainly found in Indian cooking, and I’ll admit to not having a taste for Indian food. Many say I’m missing out. My research revealed that cardamom is a spice that can be used in sweet or savory dishes. This peaked my interest. I love a spice that can do that. It’s like a super spice – am I right?? Next, I found that this spice works well with other fall spices. That right there makes me a happy baker. You can find out much more about this spice by reading the article on The Masterclass.
Here’s your shopping list of ingredients for Hot Apple Cider Spiked with Rum:
- 2 quarts fresh apple cider
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cardamom
- 10 whole cloves
- 1 – 2 apples peeled and quartered
- 1 tsp Allspice
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup spiced, dark rum
- 8 each cinnamon sticks (place two in each mug)
You should feel free to triple this recipe if you have the space. There hasn’t been one time that the slow cooker hasn’t been emptied during a party! I would encourage you to stay away from using with apple cider recipe with apple juice. There simply isn’t the same complexity to the juice as there is to the cider, and this spiced rum and apple cider is best made with just that – cider.
More apple cider drink recipes:
Another way to make this cider your own is to create a hot buttered rum recipe, which is pretty popular around the holidays and beyond. It’s such a nice way to end the day. (I’m now missing the fireplace I had in New England). Add a mixture of butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar to the warm cider. You’ll be in for quite a treat! You can read all about the origins of hot buttered rum here in Chilled Magazine.
Check out a bunch of other recipes by taking a look at Holiday Sips – it’s my co*cktail e-book that perfectly pairs holiday co*cktails and appetizers!
Party time?
Do you like to sometimes fancy things up a bit? Perhaps you’re going to make several different warm fall co*cktails to make a hot apple cider bar and want to make a mulled cider like this stand out? Sugar the rim of the mug with cinnamon sugar spice.
Whatever it is you do –make it your own – it will be something special, and it will likely be something that your friends ask you to do again! You could even do double duty and have a hot cocoa bar as well! Use this slow cooker hot cocoa recipe and you’ll be ready to party!
Best rum for spike hot apple cider:
I love a good, spiced rum. My favorite is good old Captain Morgans!
How to serve your hot apple cider spiked with rum
- You can serve this fall favorite up any way you like. One of my favorite ways is to transfer the cider into a warm slow cooker and have the slow cooker on warm all afternoon into the evening. That way guests can simply fill up their own mug.
- Another option for serving this delicious concoction is to set up a fall co*cktail bar that also has little nibbles available for munching. Some options for nibbles might be spiced nuts, pie crust crackers, caramel popcorn, apple chips, or even prosciutto wrapped figs! Anything that your guests can pick up with their fingers. Nice & easy.
- Still another option is to whip it up after dinner and bring already prepped and garnished mugs out to guests as an after dinner drink.
How about serving this spiked apple cider in a hallowed out apple? Can it get any more festive or “Martha Stewart like” doing that?
You can always add some fun party food to a cider bar, or if you’re serving it up after dinner, bake a pie and keep your get-together simple! I like to serve this apple cider as part of any fall celebration, as well as into and past the holidays. Having hot apple cider after your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner celebrations is a great way to wind down after a long day of fun with family and friends. Add some orange slices to each cup for an even more festive feel. This mulled cider the perfect co*cktail for entertaining. Another fun way to enjoy spiked apple cider? Make a red hot apple cider! Making a hot apple cider with fireball can give you yet another serving option for your apple cider bar!
Share the love with a small take-home gift:
Sometimes I like to surprise my guests with a little something to take home. It just seems to put the cherry on top, if you know what I mean! Take-home gifts don’t have to be complicated nor expensive. They can be simple, and from the heart. The best ones always are.
- Print out this recipe and attach it to a large, scented pinecone tied with a fall colored ribbon for a simple take home gift for guests.
- Tie the recipe card to a tiny bottle of rum.
- Homemade fudge is a simple, yet really nice take-home gift.
- Fill a simple jute bag from the craft store with the makings for personal s’mores.
- Use a small clear bag and fill it with a jar of homemade caramel sauce and an apple for dipping!
- Cookies tied into a clear bag with the recipe for this Hot Apple Cider Spiked with Rum attached.
- Small bottles of maple syrup with a “thank-you for coming” note.
Enjoy your holiday season, and let me know how your Hot Apple Cider Spiked with Rum turns out! I’d love to hear if you make it for family, decide on a whole fall apple themed gathering, or simply make a small batch for you and your friends. Spiked apple cider will soon be a tradition in your home.
Cheers,
JJ
Yield: 6-8 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Hot Apple Cider (Spiked with Rum) is the perfect fall co*cktail! A simple to make, loved by everyone co*cktail that you can enjoy all season long! Yield: 10Serving Size: 1 Nutrition information may not be accurate.
Hot Apple Cider (Spiked With Rum)
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Optional:
Use cinnamon sugar on the rim of the mug along with star anise for additional garnish.
This Hot Apple Cider can also be made in the slow cooker. To do this, mix all of the ingredients and cook on low for 2 hours. Add rum and warm for another 30 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 149Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 23gProtein: 0g
PS: Check out more co*cktail recipes!
Pumpkin Pie Martini Recipe
Christmas Punch (with Bourbon)
Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe
Rum Punch
