Bourbon Apple Cider (warm Or Iced) Recipe

Combine and heat (warm version)

In a medium saucepan, pour 4 cups spiced apple cider. Add 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 6 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 6 allspice berries. Warm over medium heat until steaming but not boiling (about 8–10 minutes), stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow spices to infuse.

Finish the warm base

Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 8 tablespoons bourbon. Taste and adjust: if you want it sweeter, add up to 1 additional tablespoon brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Let sit 2 minutes to marry flavors.

Prepare iced version

For an iced cocktail, combine the spiced apple cider, brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and allspice in a saucepan and bring just to a simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Remove whole spices and cool the cider to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator until cold (about 1 hour). Once chilled, stir in 8 tablespoons bourbon and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Fill glasses with ice and pour over.

Warm: Ladle the bourbon apple cider into heatproof mugs. Thread an apple slice (and an optional orange slice) onto the rim or float in the drink. Add a star anise if using for aroma. Serve immediately while hot.

Iced: Fill highball or rocks glasses with ice (about 1/2 to 1 cup per glass). Pour chilled bourbon cider over the ice. Garnish each glass with a thin apple slice and, if desired, a star anise or orange wheel. Serve with a stirring spoon or reusable straw.

Notes on alcohol: For a lighter drink, reduce bourbon to 6 tablespoons (3 oz). To make nonalcoholic, omit bourbon and increase cider by 1 cup and add 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup for balance.