This easy hot apple cider cocktail features warm cider that's been mulled with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, then topped with a shot of spiced rum. It's perfect for keeping you warm on the cool autumn evenings.
Cozying up around the campfire is one of the best parts of autumn camping trips, and it's made even better with a warm beverage in hand, whether that's this fall-inspired apple cider rum cocktail, or a mug of dark hot chocolate.
Why This Recipe is Great for Camping
- The mulled cider can be made in advance and heated up at camp over the campfire or on the camp stove.
- It's an ideal camping drink for cool-weather trips.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Apple cider--This is a pressed apple juice that's available at most supermarkets during the fall, not the hard cider that contains alcohol. Got leftover apple cider? Try one of these 15 amazing recipes that use apple cider.
- Spices--Use whole spices for mulling your cider. Ground spices will be very difficult to strain and will make the spice flavor very strong.
- Orange--I prefer to use long strips of orange zest as they're easy to remove and add a subtle orange flavor. If you want a stronger orange flavor, you can add extra strips of orange peel, or you can use finely grated zest.
- Spiced rum--Use your favorite spiced rum. Dark rum will also work as a substitute.
How to Make a Mulled Cider Cocktail
- Combine the cider, whole spices, and orange zest in a small pot over medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Strain the mulled cider through a fine mesh sieve.
- Divide the cider between two mugs.
- Top each glass with a shot of spiced rum.
FAQs
Simmering the spices in the apple cider for a longer period of time will intensify the flavor of the cider. You can simmer it for up to one hour, however, you will need to start with an extra ¼ to ½ cup of cider to account for evaporation over the longer simmering time.
You can simmer the cider and spices up to 3 days in advance. Strain and store the mulled cider in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy it. Rewarm the liquid over medium heat until boiling, then divide it between mugs and top with the rum.
Definitely. Prepare the mulled cider as directed and skip adding the shot of rum at the end.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- To skip the straining step, bundle the spices and orange zest in a piece of cheesecloth and tie the ends together. Once you're finished simmering the cider, simply grab the cheesecloth pouch and remove it. No straining required.
- If you're enjoying this in the great outdoors, skip the mugs and pour your cocktail into a thermal mug with a lid. This will keep it warm for much longer.
- This recipe is suitable for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan diets.
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Recipe
Hot Apple Cider Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 whole cloves
- 6 whole allspice
- 4 (4-inch) strips orange zest
- 2 ounces (4 tbsp) spiced rum
Instructions
- Combine the cider, spices, and orange zest in a small pot.
- Bring the mixture to a low simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer slowly for 10 minutes. You want it to just barely be simmering, not boiling.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof measuring glass.
- Divide the strained liquid between two mugs. Top each one with 1 ounce of spiced rum. Serve immediately.
Notes
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- Skip the straining--To skip the straining step, bundle the spices and orange zest in a piece of cheesecloth and tie the ends together. Once you're finished simmering the cider, simply grab the cheesecloth pouch and remove it. No straining required.
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- Keep it hot--If you're enjoying this in the great outdoors, skip the mugs and pour your cocktail into a thermal mug with a lid. This will keep it warm for much longer.
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- Dietary--This recipe is suitable for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan diets.
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