drink-recipes-with-apple-ciderWhen it comes to autumn and winter, what other fruit is more reminiscent of the season than the apple? From pies to pastries, craft beers to hard ciders, apples are continuously featured throughout the menus of the months ahead. But we’ve evolved from the everyday, basic apple cider by adapting the sweet fruit nectar into these crafty cocktail concoctions.

 Warm Vanilla Cider (1 serving)

  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1/3 Tbsp. packed dark-brown sugar
  • 1/3 whole nutmeg seeds
  • 1/4 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
  • 1 oz. bourbon
  • whipped cream (optional)

In a medium saucepan, mix together apple cider, brown sugar, nutmeg seeds, and vanilla bean. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes. Once you remove the mixture from heat, add bourbon. Remove solids before pouring the concoction into your glass. Garnish with whipped cream.

Perfect Storm (1 serving)

  • 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 oz. ginger beer
  • 1 ½ oz. apple cider
  • 1 oz. dark rum

Add the innards of the vanilla bean to the sugar and set aside the pod. Stir until the sugar is speckled with bits of vanilla, and then rim your glass in the mixture. Combine the ginger beer, apple cider, and rum and pour over ice. Garnish with half the vanilla bean pod.

Cider and Pomegranate Margarita (1 serving)

  • 1/2 oz. simple syrup
  • 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
  • 2 oz. tequila
  • 2 oz. pomegranate juice
  • 4 oz. apple cider
  • course salt

First, rim your glass with salt. Next, combine all other ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. After shaking vigorously, strain into your glass and enjoy.

Cider Shandy (1 serving)

  • 6 oz. lager
  • 6 oz. apple cider
  • 1 orange wedge

Combine the lager and cider and serve with an orange slice.

Fall Cider Sangria (8 servings)

  • 1 sliced apple
  • 1 sliced pear
  • 1 sliced orange
  • 8 oz. apple brandy
  • 1 (750 mL) bottle of white wine
  • 32 oz. apple cider

Mix together all ingredients in a large pitcher. Before serving, place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours up to overnight.

What other ways do you like to spike your cider? Tell us below!

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