Flat Creek’s Favorite Hot Cider Recipes
For us, fall is inextricable from the taste of hot cider. We’re not sure if the person who thought of apple cider (grabbing those little red things on trees, smashing them to liquid, heating it up, and then throwing various bits of dried plants) was a genius or if they had to try a thousand gross beverages first to arrive at this perfect one, but the fact is, hot cider is really good. So here are our three favorite recipes:
The Classic Apple Cider
- Spiced apple cider (we’re partial to Trader Joe’s)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A splash of orange juice
- A pinch of nutmeg and allspice
This one’s quick and easy enough. Heat up your cider in a pot on the stove with the cinnamon stick and spices in it. Afterward, you can strain out the spices or leave them in. The cinnamon stick makes a nice garnish. That’s it. You’ll notice we didn’t provide measurements; just pour yourself as much apple cider as you’re in the mood for and add the other ingredients as it feels right.
Caramel Apple Cider
- 4 cups apple cider
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Whipped cream (for topping)
- Extra caramel sauce (for drizzling)
Love caramel apples but wish they were a bit more beveragey? We’ve got you covered. In a pot, combine apple cider, caramel sauce, cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar. Heat it over medium heat, stirring until the caramel and sugar dissolve and the cider is your desired temperature (we prefer scalding). Remove the cinnamon stick and pour cider into mugs. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of extra caramel sauce.
Maple Spiced Apple Cider
- 6 cups apple cider (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 whole allspice berries
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Mix everything in a pot and heat it over medium heat until it starts to simmer, but don’t let it boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Remove the cider from heat and strain out the spices and orange slices. Serve warm, and garnish with a cinnamon stick or an orange slice for extra flair.
Note: This additional tip is one we’ve never actually tried, but it comes to us from the commenter “rgirl” on a variation of this recipe found here. The commenter claims to have gotten it from an old apple farmer whose family has been growing apples for a century and a half: Thinly slice and or chop up some McIntosh apples (including the peel) into small pieces and drop a handful of the apple pieces into each cup of hot cider just before serving. Apparently, this takes it the flavor even further.
Looking for a cozy place to sip your hot cider while you stare out the window at the elk refuge? Look no further than Flat Creek Inn.
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Ryan Kunz is a copywriter and freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics, including media, the outdoors, and whatever else strikes his fancy.