Cider Cocktails

I haven't posted a cocktail blog in quite a while, and with the changing of the seasons, I'd say I'm about due. This time of year I love to take advantage of the seasonal flavors: pumpkin, cider, cinnamon, apples, cranberry. But probably the most versatile of all these flavors in cocktail making is cider. It's great warm or chilled, it's delicious in alcoholic and non-alcoholic form, it blends well with either sweet or tart ingredients. So today's blog is entirely cider-based drinks. Enjoy!

Warm Maple Bourbon Cider

This recipe can easily be made as a single serving, but if you have a houseful of guests, make up a big batch in the crockpot!

For a single serving, combine the following in a saucepan over low heat: 1 cup cider, 1 shot (~3 tablespoons) bourbon, 1 tablespoon real maple syrup, and 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice. For 8 servings, combine 8 cups cider, 2 cups bourbon, 1/2 cup maple syrup, and 4 tablespoons lemon juice. Serve warm.

Cider Mimosa

OK, technically mimosas are meant to be a brunch accompaniment, but I don't see any reason you can't have a champagne cocktail before (or after) dinner, especially if it's a cider mimosa served in front of the fireplace. 

Moisten the rim of a champagne flute with cider and dip it in cinnamon sugar, then place in the freezer to set. When ready, fill flutes 1/4 full with cider and top with champagne. Garnish with a thin apple slice. 

Hot Buttered Cider with Rum

This variation on an old favorite, Hot Buttered Rum, is just labor-intensive enough to be worth saving until you have a crowd to enjoy it. Toss it in the crockpot and let it simmer away all night long. 

In a large pot, bring half a gallon of cider to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Stir in 1/2 cup butter (cut into pieces), 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Continue stirring until butter and sugar are completely dissolved. Keep warm until ready to serve, then ladle into mugs, top with a shot of rum, and garnish with a cinnamon stick. 

Cider Sangria

Most people think of sangria as a summer recipe, but this delicious fall variation marinates apples and cranberries in cider, cranberry juice, and wine for a fresh autumnal treat.

Dice two apples and toss with lemon juice, then place into a large pitcher along with 1/2 cup fresh cranberries. Pour 1 cup cider, 1/4 cup cranberry juice, 1 bottle white wine, and 1 cup seltzer into the pitcher. Stir to combine, then cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with thin apple slices as garnish.

Fireball Slushies

Cider is delicious hot, but it's equally delicious cold - even frozen into slush! Fireball whiskey provides the heat in this unusual hot-and-cold cocktail.

Combine 1 cup ice, 1 cup cider, and 1/4 cup Fireball in a blender and blend until combined. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Caramel Apple Martini

Along with its sister cocktail, the candy apple martini, this is one of my favorite fall cocktails. It's best when made with a slightly tart cider to counteract the sweetness of the caramel, although it also makes a lovely dessert drink if you ramp up the sweetness a bit. 

Moisten the rim of a martini glass with cider then dip in cinnamon sugar. Drizzle inside of glass with caramel syrup, if desired. Chill in the freezer. In a shaker over ice, combine 2 parts cider, 2 parts vodka, and 1 part butterscotch schnapps and shake until well chilled. Pour into prepared glass and garnish with an apple wedge. 

Pumpkin-Cider Fizz

This cocktail combines two of my favorite fall ingredients: pumpkin and cider. And don't substitute ginger ale for ginger beer - the ginger beer gives it a great, rich, fall flavor!

In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 1-1/2 ounces pumpkin puree (fresh or canned), 1-1/2 ounces vanilla vodka (or regular vodka and a dollop of Tuaca), and 2 ounces cider. Shake until chilled and strain into a highball glass, then top with 1-1/2 ounces ginger beer. 

Northwood #2

This elegant cocktail packs a surprising warmth with its combination of rum and brandy. 

In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 3 tablespoons rum, 2 tablespoons brandy, 1-1/2 tablespoons cider, 1 teaspoon real maple syrup, and 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice, and shake until chilled. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with a thin slice of apple. 

Cider Margarita

You'll love this sweet autumn variation of a traditional margarita!

Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with cider then dip in cinnamon sugar and place in the freezer to set. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 1 ounce Grand Marnier, 1 ounce tequila, and 5-6 ounces cider. Shake until chilled, then pour into prepared glass. Garnish with a thin slice of apple topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. 

Cider Old-Fashioned

Brown sugar instead of a sugar cube adds a hint of mellow flavor to this variation on a classic. 

In a lowball glass, combine 2 ounces cider, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and a dash of bitters, and swirl until sugar is dissolved. Add ice and top with 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick. 

So grab one of these delicious cocktails, curl up by the fire with someone you love, and get cozy all the way down to your toes! Happy Autumn!