Bourbon Spiced Apple Cider

This spiced cider brings the aroma of fall into your kitchen as the cloves and cinnamon and apples simmer away and fill your home with all the scents of harvest time. Who needs a Yankee candle when you can have the real deal instead? This cider also makes the perfect gift for the hostess when attending Halloween parties or going to fall festivals. It’s easy to make in advance (like fine wine: it gets even better if the flavors can mix and mingle together for a few days before serving) and always brings in amazing compliments.

(photo of cider by So Much Food blog)

Bourbon Spiced Cider:

10-12 Apples, quartered (I used granny smith and gala)

2 Cara Cara Oranges, quartered

4 Cinnamon Sticks

1T Whole Cloves

1-inch chunk of fresh ginger + a handful of candied ginger

Date Syrup, to taste

The Deets:

Combine apples, oranges, spices, ginger in a stock pot (or slow cooker) and cover with water, leaving about an inch and a half of room at the top of the pot. Heat on high to bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 2 hours. Mash the apples and oranges to release their flavor and simmer for another hour. Strain. Sweeten with date syrup to taste (start with 1t). Refrigerate up to 5 days. 

Tip: don’t lift the lid on the pot at all as it’s cooking, the water evaporates very quickly. If you lose a bunch of water during the simmering process and don’t end up with much cider, strain what is left in the pot and set aside. Add more water to cover the apples and simmer for another hour and mix the two batches together. 

Once you’re ready to enjoy your cider, warm on the stove over low-med heat and use a 1:4 ratio: add a cup (8oz) of bourbon for every 32oz of cider (optional).

To make a fizzy cocktail: top your glass of cider with champagne or sparkling apple juice. 

*FYI: Recycling glass jars and bottles is always a vibe, this apple juice bottle was perfect for our cider!*

Voila 💋