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Maple Bourbon Apple Cider Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 123 reviews

A warm, cozy drink perfect for chilly days, this Maple Bourbon Apple Cider blends the natural sweetness of apple cider with warming spices, a hint of citrus, maple syrup, and a splash of bourbon for an inviting adult beverage.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Cider Base

  • 2 L apple cider
  • 2 orange slices
  • 2 lemon slices
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 8–10 whole cloves
  • 3 whole star anise

Sweetener

  • 4 tbsp maple syrup (or as needed)

Alcohol and Garnish

  • Bourbon (about 1 oz per serving)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
  • Extra star anise (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the cider and spices: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, pour in the apple cider. Add the orange slices, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise. Bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat.
  2. Steep the flavors: Allow the cider to steep gently on low heat for about 30 minutes. This lets the cider absorb the rich flavors of the citrus and spices. Once steeped, stir in the maple syrup to your preferred sweetness and remove all the citrus slices and spice solids from the cider.
  3. Serve with bourbon and garnish: Pour about 1 ounce of bourbon into a mug and top it with the hot apple cider. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a piece of star anise if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, spiced beverage.

Notes

  • Adjust the maple syrup quantity to taste depending on the sweetness of your cider and personal preference.
  • For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the bourbon; the spiced cider is delicious on its own.
  • Use fresh spices for the best aromatic flavor.
  • Warm the mugs before serving to help keep the drink hot longer.
  • This drink pairs well with autumn and winter gatherings.

Keywords: maple bourbon apple cider, spiced cider, warm cocktail, autumn drink, winter beverage, bourbon cider, festive drinks

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/maple-bourbon-apple-cider-recipe/