Spiked Apple Cider With Caramelized Oranges

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/6/21
Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 6 mins
Dry and Cool: 20 mins
Total: 36 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
878 Calories
2g Fat
182g Carbs
12g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 878
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 20mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 182g 66%
Dietary Fiber 29g 103%
Total Sugars 126g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 770mg 3,850%
Calcium 537mg 41%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 2329mg 50%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Apple cider is a favorite fall beverage and there are many ways that you can enjoy it. This spiked apple cider recipe is a cold cocktail that's light and refreshing, but retains that warming aspect that makes apple cider great.

The cocktail uses aged rum and amaretto for a sweet base and unfiltered apple cider ensures you get the full flavor of fresh-picked apples. To finish off the drink, aromatic bitters balance out the flavors, soda gives it a lively sparkle, and the cinnamon stick adds warm spice while doubling as a natural stir stick. The real star of this recipe is the caramelized orange garnish. They're simple to make and infuse the cocktail with a sweet caramel-citrus flavor as you drink.

If you have a kitchen torch, use that on the sugar-coated fruit to create brûléed oranges. Otherwise, you can caramelize orange slices in the oven or on the stovetop. On average, you can get five or six slices from one orange, so you'll have plenty for a few drinks and they can be stored for a day or two.

Ingredients

For the Caramelized Oranges:

  • 1 medium orange

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar

For the Cocktail:

  • 2 ounces aged rum

  • 1/2 ounce amaretto liqueur

  • 3 ounces unfiltered apple cider

  • 2 to 3 dashes aromatic bitters

  • 1 to 2 ounces club soda, to taste

  • Caramelized orange slice, for garnish

  • Cinnamon stick, for garnish

Steps to Make It

Make the Caramelized Orange Slices

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Caramelized Orange Cocktail Garnish
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  2. Slice the orange.

    Slicing Orange
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  3. Set the orange slices on a paper towel and cover with a second paper towel. Press gently and let dry for about 10 minutes.

    Drying Oranges for Caramelized Orange Cocktail Garnish
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  4. Turn the broiler on high. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Generously sprinkle the top of each orange slice with sugar and set on the prepared baking sheet.

    Making Caramelized Orange Cocktail Garnish
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  5. Broil the orange slices for about 5 to 6 minutes, until the sugar is caramelized and the oranges slightly browned. Set aside to cool completely.

    Caramelized Orange Cocktail Garnish
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

Make the Spiked Apple Cider

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  2. Fill a double old-fashioned glass halfway with ice and add the rum and amaretto.

    Mixing Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  3. Pour the apple cider and bitters into the glass.

    Mixing Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  4. Top with soda.

    Mixing Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  5. Garnish with a caramelized orange and cinnamon stick. Serve and enjoy.

    Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

What Alcohol Is Good With Apple Cider?

Dark spirits are the best choices for any spiked apple cider. The oak notes from an aged liquor enhance the cider wonderfully, adding a nice depth of flavor to even the simplest cocktails. Aged rum and whiskey are excellent choices, and spiced rum or whiskey gives the cider some underlying warm spice notes. Another natural companion is apple brandy. Be sure it's a true apple brandy and not the sweetened liqueur variety unless you adjust the cocktail's sweetener. Popular drinks like the Chimayó prove that apple cider is also an excellent companion with tequila; for this recipe, try a reposado or añejo tequila.

Can I Caramelize Oranges on the Stovetop?

Caramelizing oranges on the stovetop is quick and easy. The sugar gets a little more caramelized than it does under the broiler, so this method is similar to brûléed oranges. Simply place the oranges sugar side down in a hot, dry non-stick pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sugar is caramelized. The caramel leftover on the pan's surface can make subsequent orange slices appear burnt before the sugar on the orange is caramelized. For the cleanest presentation, use a large pan that will fit all of the garnishes at once or clean the pan thoroughly between batches.

Tips

  • Caramelizing oranges will create a mess. Use foil to make cleanup a breeze when broiling; do not use parchment paper which will burn or a glass dish because it may crack or shatter under the heat. For the stovetop method, soak the pan with hot water to melt the caramel then clean as normal.
  • Store the caramelized oranges in a sealed container, refrigerating for up to two days. If needed, place parchment paper between layers so they don't stick together.

Recipe Variations

  • Tamarind nectar is a surprisingly good pairing for apples. Use it instead of amaretto to sweeten the cocktail.
  • Nearly any sparkling beverage works well in this recipe. Use sparkling wine or a sweet soda like ginger ale or cream soda. Tonic water works too and makes a great dinner drink with a drier profile, though you'll likely want to skip the bitters.

How Strong Is the Spiked Apple Cider?

Despite the liquor, this spiked apple cider cocktail is similar in strength to a glass of wine. When made with 80-proof rum, its alcohol content falls in the 10 percent ABV (20 proof) range. It's nice and relaxing but will be stronger with a higher proof rum and if you switch to sparkling wine.