Apple Cider Drink Recipes to Liven Up Your November Here on the Suncoast

We are solidly in the Fall months with cooler weather, and the holidays are shortly to be upon us. Scents of the fall include apple ciders, pumpkin recipes, and much more. Many know the traditional cider with cinnamon recipes and often order them from the local baristas or have batches stewing in slow cookers to scent up the house. There is more than one way to prepare an apple cider recipe for your quiet nights at home or your next party. Here are a few unique recipes to try and spice things up this November:

Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider with Orange

What is more Florida flavor than citrus? Add a little orange zest to this apple cider recipe, and see what you think of this little twist on the traditional cider.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups apple cider (or unfiltered apple juice)
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 lemon (juice only)
• 4 tablespoons Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix
• Apple slices
• Orange Slices
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Lime slices

DIRECTIONS

• To make the slow cooker spiced orange apple cider: Place the apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, apple slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and spice mix in a 4 quart (or larger) slow cooker.
• Cook the apple cider on low for 4 hours.
• Serve the slow cooker spiced orange apple cider garnished with orange slices, lime slices or apple slices, and cinnamon sticks.

Recipe notes:

• You can also add 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves and ground nutmeg.

Mulled Cider Recipe

What is better than one flavor in your cider, such as apples? Well, citrus and some tart elements of cranberries. This is a super easy recipe that will awaken your taste buds for sure.

INGREDIENTS

• Apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala)
• Orange – washed and peeled – cut into slices or segments
• Lemon – washed, peeled, and cut into slices
• Whole Cranberries – fresh or frozen
• Spice including Cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise
• Sweetener of your choice

DIRECTIONS

• Place the apples, oranges, lemon, and cranberries into a large stockpot.
• Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise (if using), and pour enough water to cover the fruit.
• Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 3-4 hours or until the apples are soft.
• Use a potato masher to mash all fruit to release more of their juices and flavors. Cover and simmer for 1 more hour.
• Carefully strain the solids from the liquids using a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids and store cider in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for later use.
• Stir in your desired amount of sweetener to taste.
• Serve warm or cool to room temperature.

Dutch Apple Pie Cocktail

Of course, this recipe might hit the spot if you need a little extra kick to your apple cider. Of course, this starts with a sweet and tart apple cider with a few extras to give you a cocktail for this season, sure to tickle the taste buds.

INGREDIENTS

• 10 ounces cloudy apple cider (nonalcoholic), heated
• 4 ounces calvados (apple brandy from Normandy, France) 
• 2 ounces Demerara Sugar Syrup, recipe follows
• 1 ounce lemon juice 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 6 dashes bitters 
• Brown rock candy stirrers for garnish

DIRECTIONS

• Add the apple cider, calvados, Demerara Sugar Syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon, and bitters to a teapot and stir thoroughly.
• Pour into tea cups on saucers and garnish with rock candy stirrers.

Demerara Sugar Syrup:

• Combine the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
• Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
• Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Slow Cooker Caramel Drink Recipe with Maple Whipped Cream

Apple cider for dessert? A case could be made for this next apple drink to be a rich, decadent after-dinner treat.

INGREDIENTS

For the Caramel Sauce

• ½ cup heavy cream (double cream)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 Tbsps water
• 4 Tbsps unsalted butter

For the Maple Whipped Cream

• 1 pint heavy whipped cream (double cream)
• 1-2 Tbsps real maple syrup

For the Apple Cider

• ½ gallon apple cider
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 Tbsps pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tsp real vanilla extract
• 3 cinnamon sticks

DIRECTIONS

• Warm the cream in a small saucepan over low heat to make the caramel sauce. (You’ll want to slightly warm up the cream to prevent curdling when it is added to the hot liquid).
• Add the sugar and water to a heavy-bottomed saucepan and stir to combine. Set the spoon aside, and do not stir the sugar mixture again.
• Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. If sugar crystals remain on the sides of the pan, gently brush them back down with a moistened silicon baking brush.
• Continue boiling until the mixture turns a nice amber color.
• Do not overcook.
• If the mixture gets too dark at this stage, you will need to start over.
• If a dark spot forms on one side due to uneven heating, lift the pan and gently swirl until the color is even again.
• Return the pan to the burner and reduce heat when the desired color is achieved.
  Slowly whisk in the warmed cream until thoroughly incorporated.
• Be careful while doing so because the sugar mixture will be extremely hot and bubble up when the cooler cream is added.
• Remove from heat and add butter. Stir with a clean spoon until butter is totally incorporated into the mixture.
• Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To make the maple whipped cream, blend 1 pint of heavy whipping cream with a hand or immersion blender until it doubles in size and changes texture.
• Then, drizzle maple syrup into the bowl and continue blending until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• To make the apple cider, add the apple cider, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and cinnamon sticks to a slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
• After 2½ hours, stir in ½ cup caramel sauce.
• Cover and allow the flavors to mingle for the remaining 30 minutes.
• Remove the cinnamon sticks and discard.
• To serve, ladle the hot cider into mugs, top with maple whipped cream, and drizzle with additional caramel sauce.

Which recipe immediately tickled your fancy? These easy recipes make it simple to try one…or all five this month. Maybe try apple cider tasting for your next together and spice of the event. We hope everyone enjoys the amazing smells, tastes, and weather this November as we start ticking the days down to Thanksgiving.

Happy November, Suncoast!

Photo courtesy of Deposit Photos