Spiked Cider | How to Drink

On this episode of How to Drink, nothing warms me up on the holidays like a Hot Spiked Apple Cider! Try this favorite drink of mine this Thanksgiving! Your Thanksgiving dinner, or really any holiday party, will be greatly improved by this delicious Spiked Apple Cider. There's nothing complicated about this of course, and you could make this in any number of ways, but this recipe is by far my favorite method of preparing this warming holiday beverage.
I dare say it is perfect. Would an Applejack or Calvados work here? Certainly, but for my money Bourbon is the order of the day, and a better bourbon at that. It will pay dividends. This drink is very easy to scale up to a large punch bowl size, simply keep the cider hot with a bottle of bourbon nearby so that guests can spike their own drinks as they serve, otherwise alcohol will be lost to the simmering. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that this spiked cider brings warmth to your table. If you have your own recipe, I'd love to hear about it in the comments!
Hot Spiked Cider
Approx. 8 oz. or 237 ml. Cider
1 Lemon Slice
1 Star Anise
1 Clove
Heat till Simmering
In Serving Glass Combine:
2 oz. or 60 ml. Bourbon
Approx. 4 oz. or 60 ml. Hot Cider
Garnish with Cinnamon Stick, Lemon Wheel and Star Anise.
Shop spirits for your cocktails (Affiliate): bit.ly/H2Dspirits
Music: The Savoy Special by Glenn Crytzer's Savoy Seven
syncopators.ba...
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Directed by: Greg
Edited by: Rachel Ambelang & Greg
Produced by: Meredith Engstrom & Stefano Pennisi & Greg
Cinematography by: Bernard Hunt
Created by: Greg

[@chairmanm3ow]

So strain out the lemon and anise just to garnish with lemon and anise. Got it.

[@howtodrink]

Yup, you can just recycle them, but the pot is for multiple servings, so only one glass is gonna get recycled garnish at any rate

[@chairmanm3ow]

Oh right I forgot most people dont drink alone.

[@tylerrodgers4017]

I'm thankful for Greg's spills and his rambling and his yelling (gobbling)!

[@antidefran]

It would be great if you did like a chaser episode for “best bang for your buck” liquors. Listing your top picks for quality booze for Cocktails under $40

[@mandavaler]

Try the whiskey tribe and whiskey vault

[@saltminer4463]

@@mandavaler another magnificent bastard

[@staceykersting705]

POPOV vodka....super cheap, real smooth vodka. Barbarosa spiced rum, Tortilla brand tequila. Gordon's gin.

[@JosephBeckW0W]

I never make a batch less than a gallon because mine relies on at least an hour of simmer time before you can even consider taking it off. The recipe that I've been using for my bar is something like this: 1 gallon of farmstand applecider (we're in Albany, you can't open your door without tripping over some kind of apple cider vendor) 3-6 Cinnamon sticks 4-5 Cloves 4 Allspice berries 10 Grains of Paradise 3-4 pepper corns (pink if available) 1 Sliced orange 1 knob of peeled and sliced ginger (maybe an inch long) A 3-finger pinch of brown sugar Simmer as high as possible without boiling for at least an hour or as long as you can bear. It is important to keep the cider from boiling otherwise you will have a watery final product. Periodically use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to skim the "scum" that forms on the top. Not doing so will leave murky sludge in the bottom of the cup Strain into an appropriatly sized container (it's pretty handy to save the gallon that the cider came in and just pour it back in once its cooled down) It's useful to strain it twice. Once through a wide mesh strainer to grab the big pieces like the spices and what not and again through a fine mesh or cheese cloth to filter out the much smaller bits. I usually use a Haitian rum like Rhum Barbancourt to spike up mine.

[@dpchiko17]

I am so saving this, thanks

[@howtodrink]

God that sounds good

[@JosephBeckW0W]

@@howtodrink It's pretty perfect but its not quite there. Next batch I'm going to try adding a sliced lemon (as per your suggestion) to the mix because I think the acidity will help to balance some of the super sweet parts of the mix (like the brown sugar). The most important thing that I've found, and sorry I didn't put this in the original comment, is to treat your cider as if you were making a stock. Keep it from boiling, reduce it slightly to concentrate flavors, and skim of impurities. I do have an aged eggnog recipe that I think might be good for your channel. We're connected on Linkedin so hit me up over there if you're interested.

[@thebird363636]

like this, but i almost feel a bourbon would be best to me, hopefully my family will like that, cause i'm going to borrow this recipe with authenticity to you

[@aaaaaaaaaaa5820]

How does one save comment threads

[@TheBourbonGuild]

The Bourbon Guild approves! Great episode!

[@howtodrink]

Thank you for this honor!

[@TheBourbonGuild]

@@howtodrink cheers!

[@cosgrovc]

The Bourbon Guild e f x

[@MarraMay5]

he reminds me of that guy from fantastic beasts and where to find them, love the show!

[@howtodrink]

Thanks!

[@davidfreymakes]

I am terrible at posting comments on videos, but as a professional consumer of alcohol I just have to give you props for the star anise and cloves tip. This has been a total game changer for our holiday “spirit.” Cheers!

[@Mr_Ghoulie]

I make a drink, that I call Autumn Punch. It's made with 2 oz. apple brandy, 3 oz. apple cider, and 3 oz. of 100% cranberry juice (the kind that has no sugar, and is extremely tart.) The sweetness of the cider cuts some of the tartness of the cranberry juice.

[@shawnpage9429]

Thank you Greg, for always giving me a wonderful reason to stay till the end of the episode. Always genuine, always awesome

[@thedoggoes4519]

I do mine almost exactly the same, but with orange slices instead of lemon. Love your work man.

[@howtodrink]

Thank you!

[@SkeeterMcBeater]

Making up new words. Your either the next Shakespeare or drunk.

[@zokzokzocker]

why not both?

[@profanegaming2829]

You're.

[@howtodrink]

Drunkspear

[@SkeeterMcBeater]

@@profanegaming2829 Your mom

[@zokzokzocker]

@@SkeeterMcBeater *You're mom

[@brendanokeefe1103]

I made some hot cider and threw in some cinnamon sticks, a nutmeg, and spiked it with Fireball (I didn't really have anything else to spike it with) and it was shockingly delicious! The cinnamon flavors and sweetness worked great with the apple flavor. I was pleasantly surprised. Definitely a drink good for amateur cocktail drinkers

[@Ascanet]

Just finished drinking spiked cider following your recipe... That's a damn fine drink sir

[@howtodrink]

Huzzah!

[@TheSmokinHokie]

7:31 I laughed so hard my wife came to check on me. That should work its way into the opening clip.

[@howtodrink]

Awesome!

[@jacksoneubank2936]

You are the man. You deserve a TV show

[@franzfanz]

Not relevant: pretty much sums up most of what Greg says but we love him for it.

[@chrisvasquez2460]

This is seriously the first video I saw of yours. I had to find it again!! lol GOBBLE GOBBLE!!! Ever since, I've loved your channel. Tried a few of your cocktails, and love em!!! Best channel on the tube!!!

[@Moglidor]

The ALTs in my small town in Japan are planning a Thanksgiving dinner, and they charged me with making the drinks. This looks like it’ll be a hit. Thanks Greg.

[@gianordano]

Great video! That personal touch is why I follow this channel. I want YOUR cocktails! Also, the bar looks amazing.

[@howtodrink]

Thank you thank you thank you!

[@dylannichols5101]

The ending on this vid... man. Best I've seen in a while

[@321lang]

Wow this is literally just on time!! I've been looking at cider recipes all week. Keep up the great work. Love the videos

[@howtodrink]

Thank you!

[@drewwilliams9332]

The Body Snatchers end was amazing.

[@howtodrink]

You’re welcome

[@XXX52763]

Very very nice. Sitting in front of fireplace with my gal enjoying a glass of spiked cider.

[@maxbjornson9193]

Going to have to try this. I just made a punch for a Thanksgiving party. Dry red wine, rum, strongly brewed English breakfast tea, sugar, OJ, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger. Another yummy autumn/winter drink option. It’s like a wintery sangria. Would love to see your take on it.

[@howtodrink]

Sounds like a kind of Mulled Wine

[@maxbjornson9193]

How To Drink true, it more or less is. But I’m serving it cold and calling it winter sangria.

[@morganchilds9054]

I would have tapped into that big ol' bottle of Bushmills downstage left. Brandy or Irish for me, but nice choice on the Four Roses if Bourbon is your preference... I agree it's a great buy.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Gregs personality brings me joy

[@5avan10]

Agreed the anise is very nice in this. I also like to add a few dashes of Angostura bitters and/or a bit of allspice dram. If I'm feeling decadent I'll add a small pat of butter to the mug as well.

[@howtodrink]

Yes yes and yes!

[@Aivatay]

I can’t wait to try this! Mikemgtv brought me here. And btw - he says, “Heeeeyyyy” ☺️

[@miksmith9757]

i stan calvados and the mention of it makes me want a calvados cocktail

[@Wolvyrine]

I LOVE mulled cider! I make it non-alcoholic for the family in genreal. We use lemon and orange slices, cloves, whole allspice & black pepper and a cinnamon stick. For the adult version, I make my own hard cider and we add some of that and/or apple jack!

[@juliankennedy2112]

People forget how personality is a huge part of bartending. Just because you can combine 3 ingredients does not make you a bartender. Great presentation 🙏🏾 and thanks for sharing

[@cheshirehavens6208]

Love this going to play with it for my thanksgiving

[@howtodrink]

Let me know how you like it!

[@Sharingan112]

Good God!! I'm ready for this. Love me a good cider!

[@meritalundstrom]

made this over the weekend for a fantastic mr fox watch party! so tasty and easy to make a big batch!!

[@123FireSnake]

so it's basically mulled wine, but you know, apples. I like it :D

[@kinguzi1000]

Thomas the tank turkey cracked me up so hard XD

[@colina1330]

I'm only a few seconds in, and I can already tell that you've had a few. Love it.

[@IverJ]

This is one of the funniest ones yet. Nice job, Greg. Happy Thanksgiving. Cheers!

[@howtodrink]

Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

[@freedoomed]

I use rum in mine. I use whole star ainse, cinammon, allspice and cloves. i put the spices in a tea bag made for loose teas so i can just fish the pouch out instead of the whole spices.

[@howtodrink]

Yeah the tea bag is a smart move

[@ClauZenberger]

I wouldn't mess with "Thomas the Tank Turkey", that's for sure! Great vid.

[@howtodrink]

Turkey’s are already terrifying dinosaur creatures. This American Life had a segment about a town held hostage by a gang of turkeys. But imagine a tank turkey...

[@walterbunn280]

This is pretty close to how I make my hot cider, but there's a few things: - Instead of low and slow, I add a small amount of a high proof alcohol to the cider and bring it to a full boil. This does oxidize off the alcohol, but i count this as the angel's share. You can use a high proof spiced rum or a cinnamon whiskey for this. Fireball whiskey is very cinnamon and somewhat one note. Spiced Rum is more complex, but somewhat tropical. The tropical feel might not be awesome if it's snowing outside. The Angel's share leeches more of the flavor from the star anise and lemon peel, introduces new flavors from the liquor used, and causes new flavor compounds to be created as alcohol boils off and oxidizes. Going low and slow allows you to use a slow cooker though, so.... however you want to make your hot component i suppose. - Sometimes i use fresh anise in place of the star anise. For those reading this that don't know, anise is a green celery-like herb that is also used to make "Fennel". The main difference is that it's only called fennel when you're just using the seeds. Flavor wise, Anise and Star Anise are very similar. Anise is sweeter but it has a celery-like after note. Star Anise has a woody finish reminiscent of a subtle maple flavor.

[@Cosmolovescheese]

Anise and fennel are two different plants, but they do taste similar

[@doublearon5150]

Love the turkey call 🤣

[@robleeaaccount3663]

The Trader Joe's canister lasted me several different holidays thru the year's including Halloween, Thanksgiving and of course Christmas. Cheers!

[@namseryanfycn]

Powder cider and fireball is what I did a few weeks ago. College struggle.

[@howtodrink]

😭

[@SpencerDouglass]

I'm going to have this for breakfast

[@austentallman1427]

This may be the excuse I've been looking for to buy that Four Roses Single Barrel

[@howtodrink]

You need an excuse? It’s damn fine

[@garlicgirl3149]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG! I am showing my age but yes I remember the 70s version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. You are crazy! I like your recipe because simple and to the point and easy to enjoy. YUM! Will try this winter season.

[@reecebarnes938]

This is finally going to be the year i make this!

[@comesahorseman]

Four Roses as the spike? You are a good man, my friend!! ;)

[@kaylonbuckley]

I love that you wear a Seiko SKX in your videos. Make a video about your watch collection or about how a watch can help you as a bartender

[@howtodrink]

Could be coming soon!

[@anntodd1732]

Kaylon Buckley d.u.m.b.

[@kaylonbuckley]

Ann E Todd ?

[@CamC9]

I make a cold version of this drink as well. Shake bourbon, cider, pinch of cinnamon and a 1/4 oz lemon juice. then top with ginger beer over a single cube.

[@Rhinee]

Good job on the bar build!

[@ecram1120]

Dude that hellish scream at the end. WTF. Anyway, demons aside, I've never had a Hot Spiked Cider before so your way is now my way. Can't wait to try this one!

[@EL6008]

That ending. You nailed Invasion of the Bodysnatchers... Regardless of how un-thanksgiving that is. 10/10

[@SharpEdgeSoda]

A seasonal tradition I have is just buying Trader Joe's seasonal Spiced Cider. It's not far off from the spices here if I remember right. Now I might just be dumping bourbon in it as well. Thanks!

[@Aweeklydevotional]

my dude, love your videos and recipes. I make mine as a bourbon 'chai'der. it's 1.5 oz quality bourbon (I use eagle rare. forgive me for using a really good bourbon), 2 oz of unfiltered apple cider, 2 oz of chai tea concentrate, 2 oz of apple cider concentrate, and 1 tsp of grade A maple syrup. TRUST ME, this drink will blow your mind hot or cold. I prefer it hot though. Highly highly recommend you try it.

[@isaklovland]

Absolutely fantastic. Love the holiday specials! Also in the end you sounded like something from jurassic park

[@howtodrink]

Body snatchers!

[@Finwolven]

Life... Uh... Life finds a way.

[@howtodrink]

Gonna need to undo a couple more shirt buttons for this scene

[@tazmon122]

OMG Invasion Of The Body Snatchers is usually where the TV goes when the movie nerds steal the remote from the football nerds. timeless classic that's become a thanksgiving background for many a years in my family

[@karlykd4961]

I’ve only ever made hot cider with hard cider, rather than adding a spirit to non-alcoholic cider... I feel like I’ve been missing out. Having said that, it’s still delicious. I use maple syrup to sweeten rather than sugar because it adds to the overall festive flavor. Definitely going to have to try it spiked with bourbon.

[@boarderking133]

I think I may use your spiced cider recipe as a base for my homemade applejack. Thanks!

[@aleksanderk6765]

love it! considering it for the office christmas party

[@howtodrink]

Perfect for that. Let people add the amount of bourbon they want to their own drink

[@SandraudigaVali]

having a dinner party tomorrow evening and i just found myself the perfect drink for that

[@howtodrink]

Bingi

[@shurley96]

Nice! Looks a bit like a hot whiskey/hot toddy, but with more apple. Being outside the US, I don't celebrate thanksgiving, but I do enjoy a hot whiskey at Christmas, so I might try whipping up a batch of this as well.

[@howtodrink]

Stay tuned, more hot drinks to come

[@LuisOrtiz-uz3ry]

the cinnamon stick drop and your disappointment in it had me cracking up because I too had that same feeling lol

[@liminalsoup]

Mikemgtv says hi and there's something else he'd like to gobble gobble

[@ricardoaguilar9790]

Crazy how you went from only 30,000 subs to close to 200,000 congrats

[@organicgrains]

"YET!?!" also the turkey call definitely woke me up for the day ahead XD

[@nrpbrown]

Definitely gonna be making this at my thanksgiving! thanks!

[@howtodrink]

Enjoy, have a happy one!

[@yannisconstantinides7767]

Will definitely try this for Christmas. Never been an eggnog fan, so apple road it is.

[@erikaguzman567]

Definitely makin' this for Friendsgiving! Warm, alcoholic, and delicious.

[@alexsilvas8721]

Thanks a bunch for posting this! I'll be making this for myself on Xmas!! Cheers!

[@tylershults7284]

When making a large batch, the way I learned was to take a small orange and stick the cloves all over/into it. Doubt it makes a difference taste wise but it sure looks cool floating in the pot. Anyway this drink is my favorite holiday tradition and this video put me in the spirit. Thanks!

[@howtodrink]

There’s something in that clove orange thing, lots of recipes call for it

[@taillor360]

Damn what a nice background you got there for the show... Stunning!

[@robleeaaccount3663]

I have bought my Mulling Spices From "Trader's Joe, which told me to use a bag for the spices while steeping.

[@angelwhispers2060]

That is an option. And in cooking is called a sachet. Basically makes the spices easier to get out later. Though especially 4 star Anis it impedes the flavor getting into whatever you're making. So if you like the flavor of star anise I would say just dump the stuff out of the Mulling spice bag. Or throw a couple of extra star anise in the pot if you're going to do that

[@Hubris73]

This is delicious. Another favorite variant of mine is subbing in an Anejo Mezcal for the Bourbon (I like Scorpion, the 1 year has some nice candied ginger notes) and if you are feeling feisty a dried chipotle pepper, or even a dash of chipotle tobasco sauce in the glass.

[@boywithstickx0]

Btw thank you for this video. I used this recipe for my family during the holidays on more than one occasion and people LOVED it. I think I've made a mistake as people are now wanting me to make it every year.

[@Tar0B0I]

Why can you do that gobble sound so well? Anyway, great vid, liked just on premise alone coz I love me some cider! Gonna actually try this one soon! Edit: Man I'm glad I stayed for that ending.

[@sedetweiler]

an apple garnish would really work great here. I make something similar but I start with a 1/2 gallon and reduce for 4 hours and add one shot to a drink so I have room for things like cranberry, etc. nice work on this one!

[@PaulyT999]

Is this the last episode on the same shoot. Sounds like it. But no judging, love you man.

[@angelwhispers2060]

You did another recipe of this more recently I want to say that involved whole apples sitting in the cider while it cooked with a orange spiked with cloves. That is a lot closer to my personal recipe for hot alcoholic apple cider. Though I like the idea of adding bourbon. I may try that when I have a another chance (supplies kinda suck right now). Greetings from snowmageddon 2021 Houston Texas

[@sarahgray430]

I make mulled cider with either cider or cranberry juice, a double shot of brandy, about a quarter teaspoon each nutmeg, clove, ginger and crushed cardamom and a a cinnamon stick. Sometimes I use wine instead of the cider, but I never really understood the point of "pumpkin spice" coffee, because these spices suit the taste of fruit better than coffee.

[@isaacu.8899]

Haha the end had me dying!😂

[@slikshot6]

Thanks for the hot drink recommendation!

[@howtodrink]

You’re welcome!

[@slikshot6]

@@howtodrink It tasted like a bourbon apple pie, im experimenting with adding mulling spices to it too, thank you again

[@charleywaynehinkle6358]

i like honey jack in apple cider with a little chia tea

[@lupuscinus]

How about some mulled wine recipe, Greg? And by the way, thanks a lot for the show!!

[@ellisfield159]

You're damn right you're gonna put four roses single barrell in it cause that ish is amazing and the price is much more than fair.

[@andreaudet]

Mine is more or less the same... I use oranges instead of lemon, and also add some orange bitters in there. Great video as always!

[@jdion79]

dude four roses... if you're new to the bourbon deal and the budget's a little tight...very, very solid stuff. great gateway, next level bourbon and the price is right. oh also, good vid, greg. I GUESS!

[@Abs0lut3Cyner]

That deer mount tho 🤤🤤🤤

[@Piemaker93]

This sounds amazing and I definitely look forward to trying it! Although part of me remembers I have Apple pie Moonshine in my cabinet...sorry bourbon but imma cheat on you

[@brya5266]

nice Sr ...!! I liked ..!

[@May-kc9cv]

Mike said "heeey"

[@jamesbarnousky1270]

That was a pretty good turkey call ngl

[@dillonhughesrt]

Glenmorangie 10 is a good option if someone prefers scotch over bourbon

[@geniusinsider7574]

I wuld love to see a Q&A with you :)

[@JBinbag69]

“...to nullify our brains in the presence of our family”! Glad I’m not the only one who needs alcohol

[@evanc.1591]

Definitely try some ginger and honey in there! Gives a great kick and roundness

[@howtodrink]

Yes ginger is a strong add on here

[@anntodd1732]

Evan C. Cough syrup?

[@gracfulgrace]

LMFAO the end of that. i almost snorted my chocolate milk. an honestly i like apple cider but cold not warm. I had this spiked tea in nova scotia and it was delicious, so maybe i will give this a try An if your ever in Nova Scotia go to The old triangle irish alehouse and order a blueberry tea, so good :D

[@IanRigbyIMRP]

Could you do an episode on how to build a basic cabinet for all these drinks? Like the most typical liquors mixers ect

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

How about doing some Calvados cocktails?