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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Cocktails » Apple Cider Hot Toddy

    Apple Cider Hot Toddy

    October 19, 2017 (updated December 17, 2021) by Danielle Esposti

    May contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    This apple cider hot toddy cocktail is warm, soothing, sweet and spicy. Use it to cure a soar throat, fight off a cold, or just for delicious cool weather sipping. It's a seasonal whiskey cocktail recipe that will warm you from head to toe.

    When cold season hits I reach for bourbon. Because alcohol kills germs – maybe 😉 My current seasonal sipping situation is this warm, spiced Apple Cider Hot Toddy. It’s both sweet and tart, and even if it’s efficacy for germ killing is debatable, it’ll warm you up and delight your palette.

    What's better than a hot toddy? An apple cider hot toddy with maple syrup. This fall seasonal version of the classic is perfectly spiced, just sweet enough, and a tonic to all that ails you in autumn.
    Jump to:
    • Apple Cider Hot Toddy Essential #1:  Fresh Cider (Preferably Sugar Free)
    • Apple Cider Hot Toddy Essential #2:  Pure Maple Syrup
    • Apple Cider Hot Toddy Essential #3:  Good(ish) Bourbon
    • How To Make an Apple Cider Hot Toddy
    • Recipe

    Approximately 90% of the time my approach to life is pretty simple, and usually involves cake. There are few problems that cannot be solved with cake. Typically not cake that I have personally made, but still. Cake. Good. Yes.

    Then there’s that other 10% of the time, and that time has arrived. Snot season. Tiny humans with runny noses and snotty fingers and rosy cheeks and all of the germs. And that’s when I pivot towards bourbon. Because alcohol kills germs (no, not for them – for us).

    This apple cider hot toddy fall cocktail recipe is warm, soothing, sweet and spicy. It's a seasonal cocktail recipe that will warm you from head to toe.

    And even if it doesn’t, bourbon makes cold season just that much more tolerable (dare I say pleasant) for parents and non-parents alike.

    Because shots of bourbon are generally…ill-advised…I give you this apple cider hot toddy. It’s seasonal, it’s cozy, it’s sweet, it’s spiced, and it will warm you from head to bottom.

    Pin it now! Click here to save this Apple Cider Hot Toddy to your Cocktails Board on Pinterest.

    You need only a handful of basic ingredients to whip up this cozy and comforting fall cocktail.

    Apple Cider Hot Toddy Essential #1:  Fresh Cider (Preferably Sugar Free)

    This recipe starts with hot, extra spiced apple cider. When it comes to selecting apple cider, truly any brand is fair game, but I prefer a version that’s local (‘cuz that’s kind of our thing) and sugar free (to keep this cocktail more tart than sweet).

    I simmer it for a few minutes with a couple of whole star anise and a cinnamon stick to infused it with spice throughout.

    This apple cider hot toddy is sweetened with pure maple syrup. Pouring maple syrup into a glass hot toddy mug.

    Apple Cider Hot Toddy Essential #2:  Pure Maple Syrup

    I sweeten this hot toddy with pure maple syrup because duh. Maple and cider are flavor BFFs. Pure maple syrup also has a nice kick of zinc, which is essential for keeping your immune system happy, so it very well could keep that runny nose in check.

    I like using a spiced, slightly sweet bourbon for my apple cider hot toddy. Bulleit is a high quality, reasonably priced option. Mixing maple syrup and bourbon in a glass toddy mug.

    Apple Cider Hot Toddy Essential #3:  Good(ish) Bourbon

    And then, of course, there’s the bourbon. I’m not exactly a bourbon afficionado, but I’ve picked up a few preference over the years.

    For this cocktail I used Bulleit Bourbon. Bulleit has a nice balance of sweet and spice (probably a little more spice that most higher end sipping bourbons), making it an excellent toddy selection in general, and a fabulous apple cider hot toddy selection for the balance it brings to the tart cider. It’s also offered at a fairly reasonable price point and most likely available in your local liquor store.

    Extra spiced, steaming apple cider replaces traditional hot water in this apple cider hot toddy. Pouring warm apple cider into a hot toddy with maple syrup and bourbon.

    How To Make an Apple Cider Hot Toddy

    This warm and cozy winter bourbon cocktail is as easy as it gets.

    Simply simmer the apple cider with cinnamon and star anise, and finish it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Pour it into a mug with some maple syrup and bourbon, then garnish at your pleasure – I use a cinnamon stick and an apple slice cuz they’re pretty. And that cinnastick makes for a cute, spicy straw.

    This recipe is written for 2 servings but it can be easily scaled up and kept warm in a crockpot for a seasonal cocktail party offering.

    Honey Bourbon Cocktail with Rosemary

    Looking for more seasonal cocktails? Try this honey bourbon cocktail with rosemary. It’s just the right amount of sweet and savory to share with friends during a cozy and cool autumn evening cocktail hour.

    A steaming glass mug of hot toddy with apple cider, garnished with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick on a marble background.

    Did you make this Apple Cider Hot Toddy? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    This apple cider hot toddy fall cocktail recipe is warm, soothing, sweet and spicy. It's a seasonal cocktail recipe that easily scales up and keeps perfectly warm in a crockpot for your next holiday party.

    Apple Cider Hot Toddy with Maple Syrup

    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    This apple cider hot toddy fall cocktail recipe is warm, soothing, sweet and spicy. It’s a seasonal cocktail recipe that will warm you from head to toe. 
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 15 mins
    Servings : 2
    Calories: 253

    Recommended Equipment

    • Small Sauce Pot

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 c apple cider
    • 2 whole star anise
    • 1 whole cinnamon stick, plus extra for garnish
    • 1 lemon zested into strips and juiced
    • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
    • 3 oz bourbon, I like Bulleit Bourbon
    • 2 apple slices, optional

    Instructions

    • Combine the apple cider, star anise and cinnamon stick in a small sauce pot. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 2-3 minutes, or until the cinnamon stick opens up. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. 
    • Pour 1 tbsp maple syrup into the bottom of each mug. Then pour 1.5 oz of bourbon on top of the maple syrup. Top with half of the warm spiced apple cider, and stir to combine. Garnish with a lemon twist, apple slice, and cinnamon stick. Serve immediately. 

    Notes

    Locally Sourced Ingredients:
    Apple cider and apples from Catoctin Mountain Orchard
    Pure Maple Syrup from S and S Maple Camp 
    Other Recommended Products:
    Bulleit Bourbon

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 253kcal (13%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love! 

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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    9 Comments
    Filed Under: Cocktails, Fall Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Winter Recipes Tagged With: apple cider, bourbon, cocktail, maple syrup

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