Spooky Apple Cider

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Mugs of hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks and red sugar rims

Spooky Apple Cider

Steaming hot apple cider perfumed with cinnamon, poured into glasses rimmed with scarlet sugar for a playful “bloody” effect. Simple, cozy, party-perfect.

← Halloween Recipes Home serves 4 15 min

Ingredients

  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced
  • Red sugar for glass rims
  • Optional: splash of lemon juice or maple syrup; whole cloves or orange peel

For neat sugar rims, use a shallow saucer of lemon juice or light corn syrup to moisten the glass edges, then dip into red sugar.

Directions

  1. Warm the cider: Add apple cider and cinnamon sticks to a saucepan. Heat just to steaming (don’t boil) for 8–10 minutes so the spices infuse.
  2. Rim the glasses: Dip the rims in lemon juice (or syrup), then into red sugar. Set aside to dry 1–2 minutes.
  3. Serve: Remove cinnamon sticks. Ladle hot cider into glasses and garnish with apple slices. Enjoy warm.

Hosting? Keep the cider on the slow cooker’s Warm setting and set out a little sugar-rim station for guests.

Variations

  • Caramel Apple: Stir in 2–3 tbsp caramel sauce; garnish with a caramel-drizzle rim.
  • Spiced Orange: Add 2 strips orange peel and 4 whole cloves while warming.
  • Mulled Cran-Apple: Add ½ cup cranberry juice and a few fresh cranberries.
  • Chai Cider: Steep 1 chai tea bag in the hot cider for 3–4 minutes.
  • Adults-Only: Spike mugs with 1 oz bourbon, spiced rum, or brandy.

Make-Ahead & Storage

  • Warm up to 2 hours ahead and hold in a slow cooker on Warm.
  • Leftovers keep refrigerated 3–4 days; reheat gently (avoid boiling).
  • Slice apples right before serving so they stay crisp and bright.

Serving Info

YieldAbout 4 mugs
Time~15 minutes
CategoryDrink · Halloween
CuisineAmerican