Fancy Spiked Apple Cider

As the holiday season approaches, make the perfect glass of hard apple cider! To spice up one of fall’s favorite drinks, follow this recipe to create a cozy spiked beverage ideal for cold weekends.

The following steps will show how to transform regular apple cider into it’s hard counterpart:

Supplies

1 bottle of Everclear - 1 liter or 34 ounces (or any 190 proof grain alcohol)

1 bottle of apple juice - ½ gallon or 64 ounces

1 bottle of apple crisp - ½ gallon or 64 ounces

Sugar- 4 tablespoons

Cinnamon sticks- 1 jar

Ground cinnamon- 2 tablespoons

Nutmeg- 1 teaspoon

Vanilla - 1 teaspoon

1 green or red apple

Stovetop

Pot that can hold 162 ounces of liquid

Stirring utensil

Measuring cups

Oven mitt or towel to protect hands from heat

Mason jars (optional)

Empty plastic water bottle

Step 1: The Prep

In a kitchen, compile all ingredients and supplies listed above.

Step 2: Dry Ingredient Measuring

Measure out the following ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Step 3: Combining Non-Alcoholic Liquids

Place the pot on the stove top and pour in the 1/2 gallon of apple juice and 1/2 gallon of apple crisp. Do not throw away the apple juice and apple crisp containers. They will be used later.

Step 4: Add Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

Add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla into the pot.

Step 5: Add Heat and Stir

Turn on the burner to medium-low temperature. Stir the mixture constantly as it comes to a boil. If the mixture is not stirred constantly at this point, the cinnamon will rest at the top of the pot, and not mix in properly.

Step 6: Cool Down

Once boiled, use a mitt or towel to remove the pot with the liquid mixture from the flame. Turn off the stove. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. If the mixture is not removed from the flame before the alcohol is added, the alcohol could begin to cook off.

Step 7: Add Alcohol

Once the non-alcoholic mixture has cooled, slowly pour in the grain alcohol (ours is Everclear), constantly mixing the cider as you pour in the alcohol. This will cause the alcohol to be evenly distributed throughout the drink. Continue to stir until properly mixed

Step 8: Pour and Serve

Use the ladle to pour the cider into mason jars. Place 1 cinnamon stick into each jars and 1 apple slice on the side of each jar for garnish. Serve warm.

Step 9: Clean Up Notes

If there is left over cider in the pot, use the empty apple juice and apple cider containers and storage. Since the pot is heavy and hard to move, place the empty water bottle into the pot, so the entire bottle is submerged, thus filling the entire water bottle with cider. Then transfer the cider from the water bottle to the the empty ½ gallon bottles of apple juice.

Step 10: Safety

Please remember:

1. Drink Responsibly

2. Use heat protective wear when cooking

3. Consumption is for 21+