This apple cider hot toddy is the perfect cozy drink to warm you up on a chilly evening! With the comforting flavors of spiced apple cider with rum and a hint of honey, this drink is both soothing and indulgent.
There are a few ills that hot toddies can't ease. The uncomplicated cocktail has been a remedy for the common cold in my home for quite a while now.
And, yes, I’m currently nursing the pain of a sore throat with a hot apple toddy! But by no means should you label the hot winter drink as purely medicinal.
Steeped in cinnamon and star anise, it feels like a nice, warm hug on chilly nights. The flavor of the hot cocktail, sweetly tempered by apple cider, has hidden spicy notes that a splash of rum teases out.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
It is simple and fun
Is the cocktail for the Holiday season
Is a sublime winter warmer
Is the perfect thing to serve a large crowd at your Holiday gathering
Apple Cider Hot Toddy Recipe Ingredients
Apple Cider: You can use store-bought or homemade. I have a wonderful recipe for easy homemade apple cider you can use. I recommend making a big batch of apple cider, so you can enjoy hot toddies whenever you want to relax after a hard, cold day.
Rum: That's my choice of alcohol for this recipe. You can use whiskey, brandy, or Cognac too.
Honey: This is optional, but it really warms you up and is soothing. Add it according to your taste.
Recipe Variations
There are enough reasons to love hot toddies with apple cider, but what takes the cake and the bakery is that I can take them in just about any direction my taste buds desire.
Take the hot alcohol drink up a notch with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. While you’re warming the cider, add the spices and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain before you add alcohol and honey. Infused with extra spices, it’s excellent for cold weather!
You can even mix in lemon juice. I didn’t because my apple cider already had a ton of citrus flavor from oranges.
How To Make Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Step 1: Warm your homemade apple cider and pour it into a toddy glass ( really any kind will do)
Step 2: Add rum, stir in honey, and garnish with apple slices, star anise, and a cinnamon stick.
Final step: Serve warm!
That’s it. That’s the recipe for a hot toddy with apple cider!
Recipe FAQs
As a matter of personal preference, I recommend using apple cider if you can get your hands on it. If not, make it at home. It’s easy and requires no effort, just some time.
But yes, you can use apple juice to make an apple hot toddy. Just make sure it is of the very best quality and not laden with sugar and preservatives.
Then follow the same process as you would make a cider hot toddy. Heat the juice with all the spices. Pour it into a glass, booze it up, sweeten it, and serve.
This hot toddy recipe pairs well with rum, whiskey, brandy, bourbon, or even vodka. The choice of alcohol is yours. I like to go light on the liquor, but you can spike it with a more generous dose.
Yes, you can make it alcohol-free. Leave out the spirits and amp it up with some ginger, cloves, and star anise. Heat it well, and immediately before serving, stir in honey and a lemon slice.
📖 Recipe
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Apple cider
- 1/4 cup Rum
- 1.5 tsp Honey
- Star anise, Cinnamon sticks, Apple slices for garnish
Instructions
- Warm up the apple cider in a small saucepan.
- Pour into a glass, and add rum and honey. Stir well.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick, star anise and apple slices.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
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