Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider Recipes

HOT SPICED APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Place the apple cider, peppercorns, one of the cinnamon sticks, the cloves, and the star anise in a medium saucepan. Cut a large (1 by 4-inch) peel from the orange using a vegetable peeler and add it to the pan. Bring the cider mixture to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain into a 4-cup glass measuring cup and discard the solids.
• Pour the hot cider into mugs or heatproof glasses. Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to each mug. Cut the orange in half through the stem, slice crosswise in 1/4-inch-thick half-rounds, and add one slice to each mug. Cut the apple in half through the stem, remove the core, slice crosswise in 1/4-inch-thick half-rounds, and add one slice to each glass.
• Serve hot with a cinnamon stick in each glass for stirring.

SPICED BOURBON-APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Put the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, black peppercorns and star anise in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Immediately strain the mixture into 4 mugs, divided evenly. Top with the bourbon.
• Sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon on top of each and garnish with an apple slice.

SPICED CIDER

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, add the apple cider. Stir in the brown sugar, allspice and nutmeg until the sugar is dissolved and bring to a low boil.
• Stick the pointy ends of the cloves into the orange so that just the buds of the cloves are visible. The entire orange should be covered with the cloves.
• Add the orange to the cider and reduce the heat to simmer. Cover and continue cooking for 20 minutes.
• Serve in warm mugs with a cinnamon stick garnish. For adults, add bourbon to the cider.

APPLE CIDER AND BOURBON PUNCH

Steps:

• Make the syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and cinnamon sticks with 1 cup water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered until sugar has completely dissolved, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let syrup cool; discard cinnamon sticks. (Leftover syrup may be kept refrigerated for a week.)
• Combine syrup, bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice and orange juice in a pitcher. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
• Strain chilled punch into a punch bowl. Add 4 cups of ice and club soda. Garnish with orange wheels. Generously grate nutmeg on top. Serve over ice.