Spiced Apple Cider Cocktail
A warming spiced apple cider cocktail with a hint of cinnamon and orange, perfect for festive, frosty evenings. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, brings together apple cider, dark rum, fresh orange juice for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz apple cider
- 2 oz dark rum
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 whole star anise
- 1 for garnish orange slice
- 4-5 ice cubes
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 8 oz apple cider, 2 whole cloves, 1 whole star anise, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes until warm and fragrant but not boiling.
- Step 2: Remove cloves and star anise from the cider. Pour the spiced cider into a heatproof glass over 4-5 ice cubes.
- Step 3: Add 2 oz dark rum and 1 oz fresh orange juice to the glass. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 4: Garnish with 1 orange slice on the rim and serve immediately for a cozy, spiced cocktail experience.
