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Prep time
5 minutes
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Cook time
3 hours
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makes
1 cocktail
Test Kitchen Notes
This isn't your average apple cider: Here, Basil Hayden’s bourbon and a dash of créme de cacao bring a little extra warmth to the fall classic.
This recipe is shared in partnership with Basil Hayden's®.
Drink Smart®. Basil Hayden's® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol. ©2020 Kentucky Springs Distilling Co., Clermont, KY —The Editors —The Editors
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Bourbon Cocoa Cider
Ingredients
- For the bourbon cider:
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1 1/2
parts Basil Hayden's® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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1/2
part crème de cacao
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2-3 dashes
aromatic bitters
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6
parts homemade cider, warmed
- For the homemade cider:
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8-10
apples, sliced (I used a mix of Gala, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith apples)
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4-5
whole cinnamon sticks
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2-3
whole star anise
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3
whole cloves
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1
whole nutmeg
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2
whole allspice
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1
half whole, fresh orange
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1/3 cup
brown sugar (add up to 1/2 cup of brown sugar if you want the cider to be slightly sweeter)
Directions
- For the bourbon cider:
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Combine all ingredients into a warm glass mug and lightly stir to combine. Garnish with an orange twist and freshly grated chocolate, if you like.
- For the homemade cider:
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In a large pot, combine the apples, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, allspice, nutmeg (I grated some nutmeg into the pot before dropping in the whole nutmeg), and brown sugar.
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For the orange, pare 4 to 5 orange peels and add them to the pot, then squeeze the juice from the orange into the pot; drop the orange half in as well.
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Cover the mixture with 8 cups of water, and bring it to a simmer. Once the cider is brought to a simmer, reduce to medium heat and let it lightly simmer for 2 hours. Then, mash the apples with a masher and allow the cider to lightly simmer for 1 more hour.
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Strain the cider through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth to remove the solids, and then it’s ready to serve. (To store: Allow the cider to cool before putting it in the refrigerator. This cider stays good for up to 2 weeks).
Elliott Clark, also known as the Apartment Bartender, is a well-respected tastemaker, cocktail creator, spirits writer, and photographer in the spirits industry. What started out as a hobby for making cocktails at home has developed into a full-blown career that takes Elliott all over the world mixing drinks for some of the world’s most notable brands, and making the world of spirits more accessible to the at-home cocktail enthusiast.
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