Learn how to make a hot toddy! Made with hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon juice, this classic drink is a famous home remedy for a cough or a cold. When Jack has a sore throat, he always makes this hot toddy recipe to soothe it. But you don’t …
Learn how to make a hot toddy! Made with hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon juice, this classic drink is a famous home remedy for a cough or a cold. When Jack has a sore throat, he always makes this hot toddy recipe to soothe it. But you don’t have to be under the weather to enjoy this simple cocktail. Though I’m typically not a whiskey drinker, I love a hot toddy on a cold fall or winter night. Garnished with a cinnamon stick and a slice of lemon, it’s such a cozy way to warm up. Cheers! What’s in […]
Make Crockpot Apple Cider in the slow cooker for a warm and delicious fall drink. You can leave it plain or add caramel – or make spiked cider with your favorite alcohol. This is the perfect drink recipe! Why you’ll love this recipe Crockpot apple cider couldn’t be easier to make. I added the cider,…
Make Crockpot Apple Cider in the slow cooker for a warm and delicious fall drink. You can leave it plain or add caramel – or make spiked cider with your favorite alcohol. This is the perfect drink recipe!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Crockpot apple cider couldn’t be easier to make. I added the cider, and the other delicious ingredients to my crockpot and turned it on. It really is so simple! In the fall, you can find apple cider at every grocery store, but if it’s off season or you can’t seem to find it, check the refrigerated aisle.
I love any recipe that tastes and smells like fall, and the cinnamon and apple in this recipe makes that wish come true. This drinks sits in the crock pot all day to be cooked to perfection while it makes your house have the best fall smells all at the same time! It is so sweet and delicious and perfect with caramel!
Ingredients Needed
Apple Cider: Cider is important – don’t use apple juice for best results (it’s not as rich of an apple flavor).
Cinnamon Sticks: You have to have cinnamon spices with apple cider. I also used star anise (you can also add whole cloves).
Orange Slices: Add another amazing flavor that pairs well with apples and cinnamon.
You can spike this recipe for an adult cocktail perfect for the cold months. I love this spiked with vanilla or whipped vodka or even fireball (cinnamon whiskey) for a little kick.
How to make Slow Cooker Apple Cider Recipe
Place apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and caramel ice cream topping in a 5-7 quart crockpot. Stir to combine. Heat on high for 2-4 hours or until hot. Serve plain or make an adult cocktail.
For each adult cocktail: add 1 ounce vodka to a mug and top with 1-2 cups of cider. Top with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a cookie for garnish.
Expert Tips
Add cloves to this Crockpot Apple Cider! It will taste amazing!
Other things you can add are maple syrup, cranberries
When it comes to what apples to use – we love gala or fuji. You can also use granny smith, honeycrisp, red delicious, golden delicious, and pink lady. Really anything works in this hot apple cider!
I love using vanilla vodka, but you can spike this caramel apple cider cocktail with so many different kinds of alcohol: bourbon, whiskey, or caramel vodka are just a few to choose from.
If you don’t want to use the crockpot, then pour some cider in a glass and add some caramel. Then heat it in the microwave.
FAQs
Can you make Crockpot Cider ahead of time?
Yes you can! Make this recipe in the Crockpot and then keep it good in the fridge until you would like to prepare it!
How do you store homemade apple cider recipe?
Store this recipe in an airtight container in the fridge.
Spiked Crockpot Caramel Apple Cider – Make caramel apple cider in the slow cooker for a warm drink that is perfect for a crowd. Then spike it with vanilla vodka for the adults! This is everyone’s favorite fall cocktail recipe.
Place apple cider, cinnamon sticks, star anise, oranges, and apples in a 5-7 quart crockpot. Stir to combine. Heat on high for 2-4 hours or until hot. Serve plain or make an adult cocktail.
For each adult cocktail: add 1 ounce vodka to a mug and top with 1-2 cups of cider. Top with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a cookie for garnish.
Video
Notes
You can also add whole cloves (and omit star anise if you prefer)
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The bubbly apple cider spritz is one of the easiest fall drinks, pairing Aperol with apple cider and Prosecco. Build…
The bubbly apple cider spritz is one of the easiest fall drinks, pairing Aperol with apple cider and Prosecco. Build it right in the glass and top with an apple slice, and it’s perfect for any fall occasion.
Why we love this recipe
We’re all about fall cocktails, from spiked cider to the hot toddy. Today we’ve got a bubbly, refreshing drink that’s got the season written all over it: the apple cider spritz!
You may know the ever popular Aperol spritz. To Alex and me, the classic is a little too sweet—so spritz variations are where it’s at. This drink tastes sweet and balanced by dialing back the Aperol and swapping in fruity apple cider. The best part: you can build it right in the glass: no cocktail shaker needed. As two cocktail experts, this one is a new fall favorite!
Ingredient notes for an apple cider spritz
This apple cider spritz is a spin on the Aperol spritz, an Italian aperitif made with Aperol, Prosecco, and sparkling water. The spritz was actually invented back in the 1800’s in Italy as a way to water down sparkling wine by mixing in water! This fall spin trades a bit of the Aperol and sparkling water for apple cider.
Aperol: This Italian amaro—bitter liqueur—is also known as an aperitif, a liqueur meant to drink before a meal. Aperol is bright orange and on the sweeter side, invented in 1919 in Italy.
Sparkling wine: You can use either Prosecco or champagne: we like Prosecco because it has a great flavor and is typically cheaper.
Apple cider: Instead of soda water, you’ll use apple cider to bring a tangy body to the drink. Look for unfiltered cider, which has the best flavor and color.
Tip: A 750 ml bottle of Prosecco is 25 ounces, enough for 8 drinks. If you’re making 2 drinks, a mini bottle is perfect—it holds 187 mL or about 6 ounces!
How to make an apple cider spritz: step by step
You can build an apple cider spritz right in the glass, which makes it the perfect fall drink for entertaining! Here are the main steps, or skip right to the full recipe:
Stir: Stir 1 oz Aperol in a glass with ice to make it cold.
Top with bubbles: Top with 2 oz apple cider and 3 oz Prosecco.
Garnish: Add an apple slice and garnish with a straw.
Note: The apple slice shown in the photos fits easier if you slice it into a half circle. We just liked the look of it as a whole round for the photo, though it’s tough to balance in the glass that way!
More apple cider cocktails
Fall is the time for all the apple cider drinks! Here are a few we recommend:
This apple cider spritz is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, plant-based, and dairy-free.
Frequently asked questions
What type of apple cider should I use?
Fresh, unfiltered apple cider is ideal for the most authentic flavor. However, if you can’t find it, a good quality bottled apple cider will also work. It also works with spiced cider.
Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?
It’s best to prepare the Apple Cider Spritz just before serving to ensure it’s bubbly and refreshing. However, you can mix the apple cider and Aperol in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to add the sparkling wine.
What other garnishes can I use besides an apple slice or cinnamon stick?
Get creative! A sprig of rosemary or a star anise pod can add a festive touch. You can also rim the glass with cinnamon sugar for an extra hint of sweetness (following the instructions in this Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot).
The bubbly apple cider spritz is one of the easiest fall drinks, pairing Aperol with apple cider and Prosecco. Build it right in the glass and top with an apple slice, and it’s perfect for any fall occasion.
Ingredients
1 ounce Aperol, chilled
2 ounces apple cider, chilled
3 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
Ice (try clear ice!)
For the garnish: apple slices
Instructions
Add the Aperol to a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with the apple cider and Prosecco.
If desired, stir gently, then serve. Top with an apple slice and serve with a straw to minimize dilution.
Notes
Additional garnish ideas: If desired, you can add a cinnamon stick for garnish or grate a little using a microplane onto the top. You could also rim the glass in cinnamon sugar (follow the instructions in this Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot).
The Pumpkin Martini recipe is a stunning fall cocktail! It’s cozy and creamy, with pumpkin pie spice and a crunchy…
The Pumpkin Martini recipe is a stunning fall cocktail! It’s cozy and creamy, with pumpkin pie spice and a crunchy graham cracker rim.
Why we love this recipe
Is it fall drink season? Good, because we’ve got the perfect cocktail to add to your repertoire: the Pumpkin Martini! It’s creamy, it’s cozy pie spiced, and it’s made with real pumpkin for the best natural flavor.
Even better, coat the glass rim in crushed graham crackers and you get a hint of crunchy sweet in each sip! This is the best cocktail for impressing your friends for any fall occasion. You can even serve it up as a Pumpkin Pie Martini topped with whipped cream! Alex and I absolutely love this drink, especially for occasions like Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Ingredients in a Pumpkin Martini
The Pumpkin Martini is an autumnal spin on the flavored vodka martini using pumpkin flavors. There are many ways to achieve the flavors of the season, like pumpkin spice syrup or pumpkin liqueur. But for our recipe, we wanted to use the natural flavors: real pumpkin and pumpkin spice! It’s an ideal drink for Halloween or Thanksgiving, or any fall gathering. Here’s what you’ll need for this Pumpkin Martini recipe:
The best part of this Pumpkin Martini recipe? The graham cracker rim! Glass rims aren’t just for decoration: they add an important pop of flavor and texture to each sip. Here the graham cracker crumbs add just the right hint of sweetness and crunch. It takes a few minutes to do, but it’s absolutely worth it. Here’s how to do it:
Crush the graham crackers and add to a plate. You can simply use your fingers to crush them, or use the bottom of a jar or can.
Add a pool of maple syrup to another plate. This is the glue that will hold on the cracker crumbs.
Place the outer edge of the glass in the maple and rotate. Repeat with the cracker crumbs. Hold the position of the glass constant and just rotate the stem so you get an even coating. The maple syrup will glue the crumbs to the rim.
Tips for a Pumpkin Martini
Once you’ve got the glass rim prepared, making a Pumpkin Martini is simple. Shake up those ingredients and pour them in the prepared glass! Here are a few tips to review before you jump to the recipe:
Customize the sweetness to taste. We like this drink with ½ ounce maple syrup, which makes it taste beautifully balanced. With the the graham cracker crust, it’s sweet enough for us! But if you prefer sweet drinks, use either ¾ ounce (for a sweet drink) or 1 ounce (for a very sweet drink).
Don’t have pure maple syrup? Substitute honey or simple syrup if you like: or even better, try it with brown sugar syrup! It takes just 5 minutes and all you need is brown sugar.
Variation: Pumpkin Pie Martini
Want to make this Pumpkin Martini into a Pumpkin Pie Martini? Simply add whipped cream! Adding a dollop of whipped cream takes it to over-the-top dessert drink status. Here are a few homemade whipped cream recipes to try:
Want to make this Pumpkin Martini dairy free? All you have to do is substitute full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream! It comes out with a slight coconut flavor, but it’s not overwhelming. The coconut fat stands in beautifully for the dairy fat. (Don’t use something like cream of coconut or it will come out too sweet!)
And that’s it! Let us know what you think of this Pumpkin Spice Martini in the comments below.
Prepare the rim: Crush a graham cracker with your fingers, and place it on a plate. On another plate, add a small pool of maple syrup. Run the rim of a martini glass in the maple syrup first, rotating the glass so the rim is evenly coated. Then roll the rim in the crushed graham crackers until evenly coated.
Shake the drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake until cold. Strain the drink into the prepared martini glass.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
**½ ounce maple syrup makes a balanced drink (and you’ll still get sweetness from the cracker rim). Use ¾ or 1 ounce maple syrup if you like a very sweet drink. If you don’t have pure maple syrup, try homemade Brown Sugar Syrup (it takes just 5 minutes).
Last year, I tasted more than 20 nonalcoholic (NA) spirits, sampled over 30 different NA beers, and spent weeks profiling the people creating these spirit-free libations. A year later, I’ve arrived at two conclusions: One, many of these drinks are deli…
The latter conclusion sprung from necessity. This past June, while vacationing in Ojai—a town two hours north of Los Angeles that’s best at citrus, restaurants, and reminding tourists that the sun always gets its way—I became very, very hot. In search of refreshment (and a breath of fresh air conditioning), I sprinted into a hotel lobby and panic-ordered iced water, light beer, and Ghia’s canned Le Spritz Lime & Salt.
Here’s the ideal fall cocktail: apple cider sangria! This cozy drink pairs apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon.…
Here’s the ideal fall cocktail: apple cider sangria! This cozy drink pairs apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon. You’ll be amazed by how it tastes cozy and refreshing all at once.
Why we love this recipe
When the air gets a chill and you start pulling on chunky knit sweaters…guess what? You don’t have to stop drinking sangria! Yes, red sangria and white sangria are usually reserved for summer months. But there are creative spins on this Spanish drink so that you can drink it all year long.
Try this apple cider sangria! It pairs the cozy flavors of fall with dry red wine to make a Spanish-style autumnal spin on this drink. Add a hint of apple cider, and it’s a flavor-packed drink that is the best for fall parties!
Ingredients for apple cider sangria
This apple cider sangria is not a traditional Spanish recipe—it simply takes elements of the classic way to make this drink. I lived in Spain in university and in the process fell in love with its cuisine. I fully believe in the traditional Spanish way to make sangria: American versions are much too sweet!
Sangría is a wine punch that originates from Spain. The classic version is made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often orange juice or brandy. In Spain white sangria is also popular, and there are a myriad of other not-so-traditional spins like rosé sangria,watermelon sangria, etc. This apple cider sangria is a creative variation, but it’s solidly inspired by the Spanish way to make it. Here are the ingredients in this apple cider sangria:
Fruit: apple, pear, orange
Sugar
Cinnamon
Dry red wine
Apple cider or sparkling apple cider
Best wine to use for apple cider sangria
All you need is a bottle of dry red wine for this apple cider sangria! Any dry red will do, of course! Some of the best varietals for this type of sangria are:
Rioja Tempranillo
Garnacha (Grenache grown in Spain)
Malbec
Pinot Noir
How to make sangria…the Spanish way
The way we make all of our sangria recipes is a method is inspired by our favorite Spanish chef, Jose Andres. Chef Andres is from Spain and started many successful restaurants here in the US. The “Spanish” way to make this apple cider sangria is this:
Macerate fruit for 1 hour: Mix the sangria fruit with sugar and cinnamon, and let it stand at room temperature and break down. This helps the fruit flavors permeate the wine even more.
Add liquids: Add the red wine.
Serve with apple cider: When serving, pour half the glass with apple cider and half with the red wine mixture.
Variation: sparkling apple cider
There’s a non-Spanish spin to this apple cider sangria, but it’s a tasty way to enhance the cider flavor! Here’s what to know:
Pour half of the glass cider, then half red wine (or mix in a pitcher!). This makes for a beautiful two-toned drink. If you’re serving for a crowd, you can simply combine the cider with the red wine in a large pitcher.
Sparkling apple cider adds lightness and bubbles. It’s traditional in Spain to serve sangria with soda water: sparkling apple cider mimics the fizziness.
Don’t forget to eat the fruit
A fun part about this apple cider sangria is that you don’t have to let the fruit go to waste! When you serve it, you can also provide skewers for your guests. Then you can eat the wine-soaked fruit from your drink using the skewers! It’s a nice “dessert” or palate refresher after a meal.
More sangria variations
There are lots of types of sangria outside of this apple cider sangria: one for every occasion and season! Here are some of our favorites:
Classic: Red Sangria and White Sangria Crisp and refreshing, here are the traditional Spanish ways to make these classic flavors.
This apple cider sangria recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of apples should I use for my apple cider sangria?
Any crisp eating apple will work beautifully! Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith are all great choices. You can even use a mix of varieties for more complex flavor.
What are some good garnishes for apple cider sangria?
Cinnamon sticks are a classic choice! Star anise, thin apple slices, and fresh cranberries also make lovely garnishes.
Can I use a different type of wine?
You can use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio if you prefer, you can use other whites like Sauvignon Blanc or even a dry rosé. Just avoid anything too sweet, as the apple cider already adds sweetness.
Thinly slice the apple, pear, and orange. Place them into a medium bowl and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Transfer to a large pitcher. Allow to stand for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Pour in the red wine. Stir and refrigerate for 1 hour, or as long as 4 hours. (Don’t go beyond 4 hours or the fruit texture starts to degrade.)
To serve, fill a glass with ice. Fill halfway with sparkling apple cider or apple cider, then halfway with red wine mixture (or you can pour them both together in a pitcher). Garnish with cinnamon stick, rosemary or orange slices. When you’ve polished off the sangria, you can snack on the sweetened fruit.
Spiked apple cider is the ideal drink for any cold season gathering, combining sweet apple cider, tangy cranberries, warm spices, and robust brandy for a delectable flavor.
Spiked apple cider is the ideal drink for any cold season gathering, combining sweet apple cider, tangy cranberries, warm spices, and robust brandy for a delectable flavor.
This pomegranate martini recipe is tart, tangy and perfect for any occasion! The jewel-toned drink blends pomegranate juice with vodka,…
This pomegranate martini recipe is tart, tangy and perfect for any occasion! The jewel-toned drink blends pomegranate juice with vodka, lemon and orange liqueur.
Why we love this recipe
Looking for a fun cocktail as a signature drink for your next gathering? Try a Pomegranate Martini! Crisp, sweet tart, fruity, and light: it’s much closer to a Cosmo than the classic martini. But instead of cranberry juice like the Cosmopolitan, it’s made with pomegranate juice instead.
Serve it up in a martini glass and you’ve got a sophisticated cocktail that’s refreshing and easy to drink. Here’s how to make it!
What’s in a pomegranate martini?
This pomegranate martini can be considered a spin on the classic martini: except that it’s closer to a Cosmopolitan! Both the Cosmo and the martini have official definitions on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. But this pomegranate martini spin is off-script! It’s got vodka like a vodka martini, but it’s really more of a sour cocktail than anything. Here are the ingredients in a pomegranate martini:
It’s very simple to make a pomegranate martini! All you’ll need is a cocktail shaker and a martini glass. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds until cold.
Strain into a glass.
Garnish with a lemon peel: see below for what to do with it!
How to express citrus into a cocktail
For this pomegranate martini, you’ll do something that’s common in cocktails: expressing a citrus peel onto the drink. Why? This gives you a strong citrus perfume when you go to take a sip of the drink. Here’s what you’ll do:
Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of the lemon peel.
Squeeze it over the drink first, which releases the oils and gives it a strong lemon perfume.
To amp it up a notch, run the lemon peel around the rim of the glass. This gives an even more citrus-y first sip.
Cointreau is an orange liqueur with a beautiful orange perfume flavor. Cointreau is a type of triple sec, which means “triple distilled.” But it’s technically a higher quality than a Triple Sec, with a more robust and balanced flavor. It’s most well known for being used in cocktails like the Classic Margarita. If you buy a bottle, you’ll have lots to make with it: all our Best Margarita Recipes and these Best Cointreau Drinks.
If you don’t have a bottle of Cointreau for this pomegranate martini, you can substitute any orange liqueur. You could try Triple Sec, or a higher end liqueur like Grand Marnier.
Related drinks: Cosmo & more!
There are several drinks that are similar to the pomegranate martini, like other pink cocktails, vodka martinis, and sour cocktails! Here are it’s closest relatives:
The Cosmopolitan Cocktail is like a pomegranate martini but uses cranberry juice. It’s also often garnished with lime.
This pomegranate martini recipe is tart, tangy and perfect for any occasion! The jewel-toned drink blends pomegranate juice with vodka, lemon and orange liqueur.
Ingredients
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce 100% pomegranate juice (purchased or fresh squeezed)
Place the vodka, pomegranate juice, Cointreau, lemon juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold. Strain the drink into a cocktail or martini glass.
Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of the lemon peel. Squeeze the lemon peel into the drink to release the oils. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass, then place it in the glass and serve.
Notes
To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
Tom Collins This popular gin cocktail that’s light, sweet tart, and bubbly!
Southside Cocktail An easy and refreshing gin drink made with mint, lemon and lime: think of it like a gin mojito. Or try the Southside Fizz, the bubbly version.
Classic Mojito Perfectly balanced with lime, rum and fresh mint! This iconic Cuban cocktail is refreshing and just sweet enough.
Paloma Cousin of the classic margarita, this easy Mexican cocktail recipe features tequila with grapefruit instead of lime!
Make Crockpot Apple Cider in the slow cooker for a warm and delicious fall drink. You can leave it plain or add caramel – or make spiked cider with your favorite alcohol. This is the perfect drink recipe! Why you’ll love this recipe Crockpot apple cider couldn’t be easier to make. I added the cider,…
Tip: A 750 ml bottle of Prosecco is 25 ounces, enough for 8 drinks. If you’re making 2 drinks, a mini bottle is perfect—it holds 187 mL or about 6 ounces!
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