Description
A warm, velvety holiday drink that balances tart apple cider with sweet salted caramel and smooth whiskey. It’s easy to make, customizable for crowds, and perfect for cozy winter evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon (3.8 liters) 100% apple cider
- 2 cups (480ml) apple juice
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1 to 1.5 cups (240-360ml) bourbon or Irish whiskey
- 1 cup (240ml) caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 3–4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange (peel strips)
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries
- Extra caramel sauce for garnish
- Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
- Thinly sliced apples for garnish
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Peel orange into strips (avoiding white pith), measure caramel and whiskey, and gather spices.
- Combine base: Pour apple cider, apple juice, and water into a large stockpot. Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, orange peel, and allspice. Stir gently.
- Heat and simmer: Place pot over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes to infuse spices. Do not boil.
- Add caramel and salt: Remove pot from heat. Stir in caramel sauce and salt until fully dissolved.
- Add whiskey: Stir in the whiskey off the heat to preserve flavor. Taste and adjust strength if desired.
- Serve: Strain liquid into mugs if using whole spices. Garnish with caramel drizzle, apple slices, and a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.
Notes
[‘Do not boil the cider, as it can make the flavor taste cooked and flat.’, ‘Add caramel off the heat to prevent seizing or separation.’, ‘For a non-alcoholic version, omit whiskey and add an extra cup of cider.’, ‘The base (without whiskey) can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.’, ‘Use good quality whiskey for the best flavor; avoid cheap brands.’, ‘If caramel is too thick, warm it slightly in the microwave before stirring in.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 26
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 28
Keywords: holiday drink, winter warmer, salted caramel, whiskey cider, party drink, boozy apple cider, easy cocktail, warm beverage