Description

A warm, spiced autumn cocktail featuring simmered apple cider, bourbon, and dark rum, finished with a cinnamon sugar rim and fresh apple garnish. Perfect for outdoor gatherings and fire pit parties.

Ingredients

Scale

6 cups (1.5 liters) pure apple cider
3 large cinnamon sticks
2 star anise pods
6 whole cloves
Zest of 1 orange
1 bottle (750ml) dry hard cider (e.g., Angry Orchard or Strongbow)
1 cup (240ml) bourbon or rye whiskey
½ cup (120ml) dark rum
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 fresh apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced
Fresh mint leaves
Ice

Instructions

Pour apple cider into a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and orange zest.
Heat over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Reduce heat to low and gently bubble for 10-15 minutes to infuse spices. Do not boil vigorously.
Remove from heat and strain the cider through a mesh strainer into a large bowl or pitcher to remove spices. Let cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, add the hard cider, bourbon, and dark rum to the pitcher. Stir well and taste to adjust sweetness or strength if desired.
Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon on a small plate. Run an orange slice around the rim of glasses, dip in melted butter, then press into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Fill glasses with ice. Pour the sangria over the ice.
Garnish with apple slices, a mint sprig, and a cinnamon stick for stirring. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not boil the cider to preserve fresh apple flavor. For a non-alcoholic version, skip the bourbon and rum and use more hard cider or sparkling apple cider. The spiced cider base can be frozen for up to 2 months without alcohol; add spirits when ready to serve. Keep the sangria cold in an ice bath to prevent dilution from melting ice.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 180
Sugar: 18
Carbohydrates: 22

Keywords: fall cocktail, apple cider sangria, bourbon cocktail, autumn drinks, outdoor party drinks, cinnamon sugar rim, spiced cider, fire pit drinks