Hot Buttered Apple Cider is a delicious and comforting beverage perfect for chilly days or cozy evenings at home. This hot drink is a classic favorite that will warm you up from the inside out, made with a blend of warm spices, sweet apple cider, and a pat of butter. So whether you're curling up with a good book, entertaining guests, or simply looking for a comforting treat, Hot Buttered Apple Cider is a fantastic choice to fill your senses with autumn's delightful aroma and flavor.
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What is Buttered Apple Cider?
Hot Buttered Apple Cider is a hot beverage made with all-natural apple cider, warm spices, a pat of butter, and apple brandy or spiced rum. It is a comforting and delicious drink perfect for chilly days or cozy evenings at home. The warm and sweet aroma of the spices and apple cider and the creamy texture of the butter make this a famous fall and winter favorite.
Buttered apple cider Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- All-natural apple cider: This is a non-alcoholic, unfiltered, and unsweetened juice made from fresh apples that are typically cloudy and has a tart, slightly sweet flavor.
- Calvados (Apple brandy): Calvados is a type of apple brandy made in Normandy, France, using a variety of apples that are fermented and distilled. It has a strong apple flavor and can be used in cocktails and recipes.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar is a sweetener that mixes granulated white sugar with molasses. It has a slight caramel flavor and is often used in baking.
- Ground cinnamon: This spice is made from the bark of cinnamon trees. It has a warm, sweet flavor and is often used in sweet and savory dishes.
- Freshly grated nutmeg: Nutmeg is a spice that comes from the seed of the nutmeg tree. It has a warm, sweet, and slightly nutty flavor and is often used in baked goods and sweet dishes.
- Ground clove is a spice from the tree's dried flower buds. It has a warm, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor and is often used in spice blends and baked goods.
- Kosher salt: Kosher salt is a type of salt that is less dense than table salt and is often used in cooking and baking. It has a clean, mild flavor.
- Cinnamon sticks: These are pieces of cinnamon bark often used to infuse flavor into liquids or garnish drinks or dishes.
- Pure vanilla extract: This liquid extract is made from vanilla beans and is often used to flavor sweet dishes and baked goods.
- Unsalted butter: This dairy product is made from cream with salt removed. It is often used in baking and cooking to add flavor and texture to dishes.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Hot Buttered Apple Cider
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl until combined. In a large pot, add the apple cider and cinnamon sticks, bring it to a simmer over medium heat, then turn the heat down to low. Gradually add the butter mixture, whisking until the butter is melted. Remove from heat; add apple brandy or spiced rum and whisk to combine. Ladle the hot buttered cider into mugs. Top each serving with cinnamon sticks if desired. Serve hot.
Substitutions
- Apple cider: If you can't find all-natural apple cider, you can use regular apple juice or a combination of apple juice and water.
- Calvados: If you don't have apple brandy, substitute it with regular, spiced rum or whiskey.
- Brown sugar: You can use white granulated sugar or honey instead of brown sugar, but remember that the final product's flavor and color will be slightly different.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove: If you don't have all the spices on hand, use a pre-made pumpkin pie spice blend instead.
- Vanilla extract: You can use vanilla bean paste, or the seeds scraped from a vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract.
- Unsalted butter: You can use salted butter if you don't have unsalted butter on hand, but be aware that the final product may be slightly saltier. Alternatively, you can use a vegan butter substitute for a dairy-free version of the recipe.
Variations
- Spiced Hot Buttered Apple Cider: Add spices like star anise, cardamom, or ginger to the recipe for a more complex and warming flavor.
- Caramel Apple Hot Buttered Cider: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce to the recipe for a rich and decadent twist.
- Maple Bourbon Hot Buttered Cider: Replace the Calvados with bourbon and use maple syrup instead of brown sugar to give the cider a rich, warm flavor.
- Mulled Wine Cider: Use half apple cider and half red wine in the recipe for a festive and warming holiday drink.
- Vegan Hot Buttered Apple Cider: Replace the butter with a vegan substitute and use vegan whipped cream for garnish.
- Chai-Spiced Hot Buttered Apple Cider: Add chai tea bags or chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger to the recipe for a cozy and spicy twist.
How to Serve
Hot Buttered Apple Cider is best served hot and steaming. Once you've assembled the cider, ladle it into mugs or glasses and do it immediately. You can garnish the cider with whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, or ground cinnamon or nutmeg dust. It's a great drink to serve during fall and winter holidays and on chilly evenings when you want to warm up and relax.
Hot Buttered Apple Cider is perfect for serving at gatherings, parties, or dinners with friends and family or simply enjoying a good book at home by the fireplace. Remember that Hot Buttered Apple Cider contains alcohol, so it's essential to drink it responsibly and avoid drinking and driving. Enjoy your Hot Buttered Apple Cider responsibly and savor its delicious flavors and comforting warmth.
How to Store & Re-Heat
- To store: Transfer any remaining cider to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you're ready to enjoy it again, reheat the cider on the stovetop or microwave until it reaches your desired temperature. You can also reheat the cider with additional spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to refresh the flavor.
- To reheat: Pour the desired cider into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, occasionally stirring until heated. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave by placing it in a microwave-safe container and heating it in 30-second intervals until it's heated through, stirring after each interval. Just be careful not to overheat the cider, as it can cause the butter to separate. Once it's heated, ladle the cider into mugs, and enjoy!
Make Ahead
Hot Buttered Apple Cider can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To make it ahead of time, follow the recipe as directed, but instead of ladling the cider into mugs, let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the cider to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. To reheat, follow the instructions for reheating provided above. You may need to whisk the cider after reheating to ensure the butter is fully incorporated.
Tips for Making The Best ButteredApple Cider
- Use high-quality ingredients: Since this recipe is relatively simple, it's important to use it for the best flavor. Look for all-natural apple cider, good-quality butter, and fresh spices for the best results.
- Gradually add the butter mixture: To ensure that the butter is fully melted and incorporated into the cider, gradually add the butter mixture while whisking continuously.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer: If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer before serving.
- Don't overheat the cider: Be careful not to overheat the cider as it can cause the butter to separate and the spices to become bitter. Heat the cider gently over low to medium heat until it's heated.
- Customize to your liking: This recipe is adaptable, so feel free to adjust the spices. You can also experiment with different types of alcohol, such as spiced rum or bourbon, for a unique twist on this classic recipe.
- Serve with a garnish: To make your Hot Buttered Apple Cider look even more festive, serve it with a cinnamon stick or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. This will also add an extra layer of flavor to the drink.
FAQ
Is Hot Buttered Apple Cider alcoholic?
Yes, Hot Buttered Apple Cider contains Calvados, an apple brandy with alcohol. However, you can make a non-alcoholic version of the recipe by omitting the Calvados and using more apple cider.
Can I make Hot Buttered Apple Cider ahead of time?
You can make the cider mixture and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve it. Heat the cider mixture over low heat until it's hot and steaming, and serve it immediately.
Can I use a different type of alcohol in the recipe?
You can substitute the Calvados with regular brandy, spiced rum, or whiskey.
Can I use pre-ground spices instead of fresh ones?
You can use pre-ground spices if you don't have fresh ones. However, freshly grated nutmeg will provide the best flavor.
Can I make a vegan version of Hot Buttered Apple Cider?
You can use a vegan butter substitute and a vegan whipped cream for garnish to make a vegan version of the recipe.
Can I use honey instead of brown sugar?
You can use honey instead of brown sugar, but remember that the final product's flavor and color will differ slightly.
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Recipe
Easy Buttered Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 8 cups all-natural apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
- 3 cinnamon sticks plus for garnishing
- ¼ to ½ cup brown sugar , adjust to taste
- 1-½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground clove
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 113 g (1 stick ) unsalted butter , softened
- 1 cup Calvados (Apple brandy) or spiced rum , adjust to taste, optional
Instructions
- Using a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until combined.
- In a large pot, add the apple cider and cinnamon sticks, bring it to a simmer over medium heat, then turn the heat down to low. Gradually add the butter mixture, whisking until the butter is melted. Remove from heat; add apple brandy or spiced rum and whisk to combine. Ladle the hot buttered cider into mugs. Top each serving with cinnamon sticks if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- To store: Transfer any remaining cider to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you're ready to enjoy it again, reheat the cider on the stovetop or in the microwave until it reaches your desired temperature. You can also reheat the cider with additional spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg to refresh the flavor.
- To reheat: Pour the desired amount of cider into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, occasionally stirring until heated. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave by placing it in a microwave-safe container and heating it in 30-second intervals until it's heated through, stirring after each interval. Just be careful not to overheat the cider, as it can cause the butter to separate. Once it's heated, ladle the cider into mugs, and enjoy!
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.