This bourbon caramel apple cider makes you feel warm and fuzzy in more ways than one. And, with just three ingredients, it couldn’t be simpler to make. There are also only three steps to make it: just add the ingredients to a saucepan or mug, heat, and stir! I created this on the stovetop but you could also make it in the microwave if that preparation better suits your situation. If you are a fan of my bubbly bourbon & berries cocktail or red wine hot chocolate, you’ll love this warm, autumnal concoction. It’s an ultra cozy drink and, although you won’t automatically know that it’s spiked, it is potent.
In my circle of friends, I’m known for mixing up silent but deadly cocktails, meaning the alcohol doesn’t slap you in the face but will sneak up on you and put your on your you-know-what after a while. 🙂 This is one such drink. Of course, you can feel free to dial back the bourbon as you see fit. As a whiskey lover, I think it’s just right. Whipped cream is listed as an optional garnish in the recipe below but you should definitely do it. As it melts into the cider the creaminess collides with the sweet, spicy, bourbon-y flavors to make pure magic, y’all. This bourbon caramel apple cider is one of my new favorite things for fall and winter and best believe I’ll have a mug in hand on many more occasions throughout the holiday season. I’m actually sipping some as I type this. 🙂 The temperatures dropped this morning and it felt like the perfect day to curl up on the couch with a mug.
Be on the lookout for another recipe featuring bourbon next week and a few more seasonal cocktails in the coming weeks. If non-alcoholic coziness is more your speed, check out my pumpkin spice hot chocolate or homemade hot cocoa mix. Thanks for reading!
P.S. Bourbon is not just for drinks: Bourbon-Glazed Gingerbread, Naked Bourbon Carrot Cake!
Cozy spiked cider with rich caramel and cream flavors
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
- 12 caramel candies unwrapped
- whipped cream optional garnish
- cinnamon optional garnish
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Add all ingredients except whipped cream to a small saucepan over medium heat.
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Stirring regularly, cook until caramels melt then lower heat.
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Once liquid reaches a uniform consistency, remove from heat and pour into two mugs. Garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon, if desired.
Looks so creamy and delicious. We could make a adult version and a kids version and everyone would be happy.
Yes, you definitely could! I love the creaminess that the whipped cream and caramel add.
Looks delicious! Perfect for fall!
This looks and sounds amazing. I’d definitely have to make a virgin version until next Christmas. I’m excited to try it!
This is my kind of apple cider for sure. Wow. My husband would also love it. Thanks for the recipe. Saving it.
Thanks, I hope you love it.
The perfect beverage for this time of year!
Headed to store as soon as I post this. My sister and I worked in the adult beverage industry for more than 18 years. We are at a point that this is definitely more what we want as an adult beverage. We are retired and I am pleased to find your page. You make up the recipes and we will try them!!
Thanks so much, Leslie! I hope y’all love it.
Doesn’t the booze cook out if it’s heated on the stove?
I thought it would but you’re not cooking for very long (just long enough to melt the caramel) and I certainly still tasted and felt the bourbon in the finished product. To be sure, you could always heat the cider and caramel then just add the bourbon to your mug.
I’m a huge fan of silent but deadly cocktails. I’ll be sipping on this at nighttime. Thanks for the great recipe!
This is definitely silent but deadly. It’s so cozy and creamy that you don’t immediately notice the bourbon!
This drink reminds me of a pumpkin spice latte. It definitely has that classical autumnal theme to it.
I already love this recipe, and I haven’t even tried it yet. I will be trying this one tonight, can’t wait to dig in.
I hope you love it!
Yum! Bourbon is a flavor that I have yet to try, but it sounds like such a great addition to most things! This apple cider looks so good!
Wow, I needed this during my Chicago years!. I love them bourbon + cider combo.
Bourbon and apple cider?! I’m 100% down. Recipe saved ✊?