Homemade Apple Cider Recipe
Now that fall is in full swing it’s time to break out the apple cider and savor the flavors of fall. This isn’t just any spiced apple cider. It’s apple cider spiked with cinnamon sticks, McCormick Maple Extract, McCormick Pure Almond Extract, and diced red and green apples. The extracts are a lovely complement to the apple cider. I have always been a huge huge fan of almond extract and have written many times that I could bathe in it or drink it. Well, in this case I literally did drink it. Just 2 teaspoons though diluted by a gallon of apple cider combined with 2 teaspoons of McCormick Maple Extract. Maple, apples, McCormick Cinnamon Sticks, it doesn’t get any more fall is in the air than that.
What’s in Caramel Apple Cider?
To make this spiced apple cider recipe, you’ll need:
Caramel sauce Apple cider McCormick Cinnamon Sticks McCormick Maple Extract McCormick Pure Almond Extract Apples
How to Make Mulled Apple Cider
Simply simmer together apple cider, maple and almond extracts, and you can either add the cinnamon sticks to the simmering pot, or you can add cinnamon sticks to each individual mug. The upside of adding sticks to the batch of simmering cider is that your house will smell amazing as the aromas diffuse. The upside of adding cinnamon sticks to each mug is the personalized, cute-factor touch. Either way, it’s a win. Then rim the mugs with caramel sauce, pour in the warm cider, plop in a few diced apple chunks, and slurp away.
As a tip, if for some reason you’re having one of those Indian summer days and the thought of a warm beverage isn’t what you’re craving, you can definitely serve this with chilled apple cider instead.
How Long Does Apple Cider Last?
This homemade apple cider will last up to 7 days in the fridge.
What Type of Cider Should I Buy?
For this homemade caramel apple cider, you want to buy plain apple cider (i.e. the kind without any added sugars or spices).
Tips for Making Caramel Apple Cider
I rimmed each of the mugs with Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce. It’s so good and so easy, but if you want to cheat and use store-bought salted caramel sauce, be my guest. Or if you want to just go with traditional (non-salted) caramel sauce, that’s great too. Whatever floats your apples. This is a situation where embracing the mess is the only way to go. Rather than trying to be super neat and only having the caramel sauce on the very tops of the mugs, I spoon it on with a heavy hand and let it drizzle down the sides. The caramel that drizzles down and mixes with the apple cider in your mug is a heavenly combo and the caramel that drizzles down the outside of the mug, well, my daughter said, “Mom there’s no shame in licking the sides of the mug.” How true.
More Apple Recipes:
ALL OF MY APPLE RECIPES! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Caramel Apple Crumble Foil Packs –Easy, zero cleanup, made on the grill (or oven) in record time, and delish! Juicy apples, chewy crumble topping, and luscious salted caramel!
Caramel Apple Crumble Pie – Apple Pie meets Apple Crumble meets plenty of gooey caramel! Easy, fast, 5-minutes to assemble. Goofproof recipe for those of us who aren’t pie-makers!
Apple Cinnamon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – An EASY, one-bowl, no-mixer apple cake that’s to-die-for!! Loaded with juicy apples in every bite, perfectly spiced, and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting! So DELISH!!
Sugar Cookie Apple Crumble Cheesecake Pie – A buttery sugar cookie crust, tangy cream cheese filling, tender juicy apples, and a crumble topping make this pie a total SHOWSTOPPER!! EASY and THE BEST apple pie!!
Caramel Apple Muffins – Soft, fluffy, springy, loaded with chunks of apples, and so much CARAMEL flavor!! EASY, no mixer needed, and you’d never guess they’re accidentally vegan!!
Cinnamon Spice Applesauce Bread with Honey Butter — Applesauce keeps this bread so soft & moist! It’s like apple spice cake, disguised as ‘bread’ so you can have extra!
Spiced Apple and Banana Bundt Cake with Vanilla Caramel Glaze – Apple cake meets banana bread with a to-die-for glaze! Best.ever.
Apple Fritter Bread – Soft, fluffy bread that’s stuffed AND topped with apples, cinnamon, and sugar! Like apple fritters in bread form!
Carrot Apple Bread – Carrot cake with apples added and baked as a bread so it’s healthier! Super moist, packed with flavor, fast and easy!
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Crumble Bars – Move over apple pie! These are an apple pie, apple crumble and cheesecake all in one! YUM!
5-Minute Microwave Apple Cinnamon Crumble For One (vegan, gluten-free) – 5-minute easy recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or snacks!
Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake – The soft and gooey factor of a Cinnabon with apples and so much caramel sauce! Easy, ready in 30 minutes, and uses storebought cinnamon roll dough to save time! One of the BEST desserts ever!
Post sponsored by McCormick. The recipe, images, text, video, and opinions expressed are my own.
