These Apple Cider Cocktails Will Keep You Warm & Cozy All Fall

Sipping on cocktails in the summer is fun, but imbibing a little somethin’ somethin’ in the fall is kind of mandatory. When the temperatures start to dip with a quickness, how else are we supposed to keep from freezing? A spiked drink is an amazing way to keep the warm and fuzzies — and hard cider is definitely the epitome of the perfect autumn libation.

These delicious cocktails are made with our favorite hard apple ciders and a few other prime ingredients. Drink up, buttercup!

More: 3 Spiced Rum Cocktails to Warm Up Your Cold Winter Bones

1. Fall sangria with bourbon recipe

Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups sliced and quartered Granny Smith apples
• 1-1/2 pears, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced figs
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1-1/2 cups ginger ale
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup Jim Beam honey or maple whiskey
• 2 (22 ounce) bottles chilled hard cider (we used Redd’s)

Directions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the apples, pears, figs and blueberries. Pour in the ginger ale, apple juice, whiskey and lemon juice. Carefully stir to combine.
2. Right before serving, pour in the hard cider, and serve.

2. Hard cider whiskey cocktail recipe

Slightly adapted from Food Network

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

• 9 ounces apple liqueur or brandy
• 3 ounces whiskey or bourbon
• 5 ounces lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup or grenadine
• 1 bottle hard apple cider
• Cinnamon stick, for garnish
• Sliced apples, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a few large drink shakers halfway with ice, and pour in the apple brandy, whiskey, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake to combine.
2. Fill jars or highball glasses halfway with ice. Strain the mixture into the jars or highball glasses, filling about 2/3 of the way full. Top with the hard apple cider.
3. Garnish each jar or glass with sliced apples and cinnamon sticks.

Originally posted September 2014. Updated October 2017.