Name: Spiked Caramel Apple Cider
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 bottle caramel sauce ((optional) for rimming); ground cinnamon ((optional) for rimming); 1½ ounces caramel vodka; 1 ounce spiced rum; ¾ cup apple cider ((either cold or warm)); 1 apple slice ((optional) for garnish); 1 cinnamon stick ((optional) for garnish)

Just the recipe

Ingredients

Instructions with pictures & tips

How to make a big batch

Why I love this spike caramel apple cider recipe

Apple cider is one of my favorite fall drinks.

But you know what’s even better? This spiked caramel apple cider!

With caramel vodka, spiced rum, and a caramel-and-cinnamon rim, it has all the apple cider flavor I love plus a kick.

It’s a great cocktail for Halloween parties or Thanksgiving get-togethers, especially since you can make a pitcher ahead of time instead of mixing individual drinks all evening.

And while it’s great for serving to friends, it tastes so good that you might just want to mix up a glass for yourself on a chilly evening.

More fall cocktails

Ingredients

Here is your shopping list (for 1 glass):

Alcohol – 1½ ounces caramel vodka, 1 ounce spiced rum. , I used Smirnoff Kissed Caramel vodka and Captain Morgan’s spiced rum
Juice – ¾ cup apple cider. You can use the store-bought kind or this homemade cider recipe. Either warm or cold apple cider will work.
Spices – ground cinnamon (for rimming), 1 cinnamon stick (for garnish). Both are optional.
Fresh produce – 1 apple slice (optional) for garnish
Toppings – 1 bottle caramel sauce (optional) for rimming

How to make spiked caramel apple cider

A glass of spiked caramel apple cider beside an apple and some cinnamon sticks

1 | Prep work
If you want to use apple slices for garnish, wash and core an apple.
Then cut it into thin slices.
Make a small slit from the side opposite the skin toward the center of each slice, so it can fit over the rim of the glass.
2 | Rim the glass (optional)
Rimming the glass is an optional step in this recipe. But it definitely adds to the look (and taste) of the final cocktail.
Pour some caramel sauce into a small bowl or plate. Use a dish wide enough for the mouth of the serving glass so you can dip the entire rim into the sauce.
Cover the bottom of another small plate with a layer of cinnamon. Spread it out so the cinnamon forms an even coating large enough to fit the rim of the glass.
Dip the edge of the glass into the caramel sauce so that it is coated all the way around.
Then dip the caramel-coated rim of the glass into the cinnamon, turning it to coat evenly.
Press lightly so the cinnamon sticks to the caramel without pushing the sauce off the rim.
Check for any bare spots before turning the glass upright.
3 | Make the cocktail
Pour 1½ ounces caramel vodka and 1 ounce spiced rum into the glass.
Then top off with apple cider and stir.
This cocktail tastes equally as good with hot or cool apple cider.
Pro tip:
When filling the glass with cider, pour slowly to avoid splashing the decorated rim.
4 | Garnish and serve
Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick if desired.
You could also add some whipped cream to the top if desired.

How to make a big batch

If you’re making this spiked apple cider for a crowd, you’ll probably want to make a larger batch so you can mix it up ahead of time.

You can mix up a pitcher (about 8 servings) by combining 1½ cups caramel vodka, 1 cup spiced rum and 6 cups of apple cider.

If you are making it ahead of time with cold apple cider, store the whole mixture in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

If you want to serve it warm, combine the vodka and spiced rum in the pitcher ahead of time, and add the apple cider just before serving. (This version doesn’t need to be refrigerated).

You can also prepare the glasses in advance with the caramel and cinnamon rims.