Caramel Apple Cider Recipe

This easy to make Caramel Apple Cider Recipe, with tangy apple cider and sweet caramel sauce, is the most delicious combination of flavors for fall! Whether you’re looking for a rich and creamy drink to warm you up on a cold winter day or a delicious treat to satisfy a sweet tooth, this recipe has both bases covered with just three simple ingredients. 

Hot Caramel Apple Cider Recipe

When cooler months roll around, I’m all about warm and cozy beverages (this Bailey’s Hot Chocolate is always a favorite). However, not much tops the fresh apple cider that comes with fall’s apple harvest!

We’ve taken plain apple cider to whole new level with the addition of rich and sweet caramel sauce and a big dollop of whipped cream topping it off! If you’ve ever had the Starbucks version, then you already know how yummy this drink is!

The great news is you can make this delicious caramel apple cider recipe at home for a fraction of the cost. The cider has a slight tartness from the apples, the caramel sauce adds a just the right amount of sweetness, and the whipped cream adds the perfect finishing touch to this cool weather drink!

💖 Why We Love This Recipe

• This yummy drink recipe comes with two versions, stove top and a slow cooker version.
• Perfect for holiday parties, tail gating or just a warm beverage on a cool fall day.
• Made with only 3 simple ingredients but tastes even better than Starbucks caramel apple cider.

🥄 Recommended Tools

• Medium saucepan (or crock pot)
• Measuring cups
• Drink ladle
• Heat proof cups or mugs

🛒 What’s Needed For Hot Caramel Apple Cider

• Apple cider
• Caramel sauce
• Whipped cream for topping
• Extra caramel sauce for topping
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish, optional

How To Make Hot Caramel Apple Cider

For the Two Serving Stovetop Version

Step 1. Add apple cider to a medium saucepan.

Step 2. Next, add the caramel sauce to the warm apple cider. Heat over medium heat to medium-high heat until hot.

Step 3. Pour the caramel apple cider into heat proof cups or mugs and top with whipped cream and caramel syrup

Slow Cooker Version

Step 1. Add apple cider and caramel sauce to your crockpot. Heat on low for 2-3 hours, until it reaches the desired temperature.

Step 2. Before serving, top the hot cider with whipped cream and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce.

Hot Caramel Apple Cider Variations and Add-in’s

• Garnish: Fresh apple slices always make a pretty garnish. But I always recommend that you spritz sliced fresh apples with a little lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

• Spices: Want more intense fall flavors? You can add ground cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger to the cider while it’s warming. You can also just add a couple dashes of an apple pie spice blend.

• Spiked cider: For the stove top version, add one shot of bourbon, rum, vodka or even Bailey’s Irish Cream. For the slow cooker version, you would just need to gauge how strong you want to make it. On average, for every 1/2 gallon of apple cider, you would add about 3-4 shots of alcohol.

• Whipped topping: To keep things simple we just used cool whip as a topping. But if you rather make your own with heavy cream, that would be a great option too. You could even add a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice to it to give it even more flavor.

What if I Can’t Find Apple Cider in Grocery Stores?

Some grocery stores only stock apple cider during certain months of the year. If that’s the case where you are, you can easily make you own using apple juice. Just bring these ingredients to a boil to dissolve the sugar, then reduce the heat. Strain out the whole spices with mesh strainer and it’s ready to serve!

• 4 cups of your favorite apple juice brand
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 6-8 whole cloves
• 6 allspice berries
• 2 tbls. brown sugar
• 2 tbls. fresh lemon juice

What Can I Do with Leftover Apple Cidar

If you bought a gallon of apple cider and have a good bit leftover, here are some great ways to put it to use:

• Apple Cider Slushies: To make this cold and frosty treat just blend up some ice cubes with a cup of apple cider until it reaches slushy consistency.
• Make Apple Cider Vinegar: Simply mix together 2-parts apple cider to 1-part white vinegar. Seal it in a mason jar and let it sit in a cool dry place, like a pantry, for a couple of weeks. Then just strain it with a mesh strainer and pour it back into your sealed container! It’s just that easy.
• Apple Cider Mimosas: A little boozy breakfast beverage is always a great start to the weekend. Just replace the orange juice with the same amount of apple cider.
• Braise Pork Tenderloin: Apples and pork are a classic combination. Use leftover apple cider as a base for braising or marinating pork chops or pork tenderloins.
• Make a Salad dressing: The sweetness from the apple cider mixed with some grainy mustard and a little olive oil makes a delicious and easy vinaigrette.
• Freeze It: When all else fails, you can freeze any leftover apple cider for at least 6 months. You can either freezer it in the jug it came in or transfer it to a Ziplock bag to freeze it.

Want More Delicious Drink Recipes?

• S’mores Cocktail
• Watermelon Mojito
• Pineapple Margarita
• Nutella Milkshake
• Watermelon Lemonade
• Oreo Milkshake