Hot Apple Maple Bourbon Cider is the ultimate cozy sweater weather drink. It's flavored with mulling spices, VANILLA, and a dash or more of bourbon for the most warming drink around. The Knob Creek Maple Smoked Bourbon really takes this drink to a whole new level! But don’t worry, it’s added at the end to individual servings so it can be served to the whole family. It’s guaranteed to make you feel warm and fuzzy.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 4 cups pressed apple cider
- 4 Ceylon cinnamon sticks
- 6 Whole cloves
- 1 Whole star anise
- 1 tsp Allspice berries
- ½ inch sliced ginger pieces
- 3 Mexican vanilla beans AND/OR a generous pour of pure vanilla extract
- 2 Oranges
- A dash or 1-2 oz Knob Creek Smoke Maple Bourbon (For Cocktail)
- A dash - 1 tsp pure maple syrup (For Mocktail)
Instructions:
- Combine cider, cinnamon sticks (reserve one for stirring/garnish), cloves, allspice berries, anise, and ginger into a cooking pot.
- Squeeze the juice out of the oranges and add the juice and one of the squeezed whole oranges.
- Split and cut the vanilla beans and add to the rest of the ingredients.
- Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 15-20 mins.
- Strain the cider to remove the spices and oranges.
- Add Vanilla Extract if using. Why not?!
- For the COCKTAIL: Add the Knob Creek Smoke Maple Bourbon starting with a dash to 1-2 oz. It’s up to you! The bourbon really makes this cider a delight!
- For the MOCKTAIL: Add a dash to 1 tsp of pure maple syrup. This isn't really for sweetness as much as it is for the depth of the maple flavor.
- Stir with a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!