Cider is a delightfully versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed on its own or added to various dishes, including cooking, baking, and even cocktails! We’ve compiled a list of fantastic cocktails made with hard cider.

1. The Cranberry Cider Cocktail

This festive drink is perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want to add a little seasonal cheer to your menu! It combines cranberry juice, hard cider, and vodka for a tart and bubbly treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1/2 cup vodka
• ice
• cranberries (for garnish)

2. The Caramel Apple Cider Cocktail

Hard cider, caramel vodka, and apple juice make up this divine cocktail. For added flavor, garnish it with a cinnamon stick.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup hard apple cider
• 1/4 cup caramel vodka
• ice
• cinnamon stick (for garnish)

3. The Spiced Cider Cocktail

Hard cider, bourbon, and spices like nutmeg, cloves, and allspice make up this cozy cocktail. It’s the perfect drink to warm you up on a cold night!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• ice

4. The Pumpkin Spice Cider Cocktail

Hard cider, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger combine to create this delicious cocktail. Serve it with a cinnamon stick or whipped cream as a perfect fall drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• ice
• cinnamon stick (for garnish)
• whipped cream (for garnish)

5. The Cranberry Cider Mimosa

This refreshing cocktail is made with hard cider, cranberry juice, and orange juice. It’s the perfect brunch drink or holiday party cocktail!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• ice
• cranberries (for garnish)

6. Cinnamon Hard Apple Cider Cocktail

This warming cocktail is made with hard apple cider, cinnamon whiskey, and honey. It’s the perfect fall drink!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1/2 cup cinnamon whiskey
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• ice
• cinnamon stick (for garnish)

7. The Cider Margarita

This delicious twist on a classic margarita is made with hard apple cider, tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. It’s perfect for any party!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup triple sec
• ice
• lime wedge (for garnish)

8. The Cider Moscow Mule

This refreshing cocktail is made with hard apple cider, vodka, and lime juice. It’s perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• ice
• lime wedge (for garnish)

9. The Cider Rum Punch

This tropical cocktail is made with hard apple cider, rum, pineapple juice, and lime juice. It’s perfect for any summer party!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1/2 cup rum
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• ice
• pineapple wedge (for garnish)

10. Apple Cider Sangria 

The thought of winding down to a glass of sangria after a busy week gives me joy. While the classic sangria is my absolute favorite, I won’t say no to this variation, especially come fall.

A blend of apple cider, apple whiskey, brandy, sparkling wine, and apples, pears, cinnamon, sticks, and star anise for garnish, this apple cider sangria is the epitome of fall cocktails. 

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of sparkling wine
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup apple whiskey
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced
• 1 pear, cored and sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-star anise
• Additional apple cider for topping off glasses

11. Apple Cider Swizzle

This recipe combines rum, hard apple cider, bitters, maple syrup, and Amaretto to create a delicious, easy-to-make cocktail that is perfect for any occasion! 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1/2 cup rum
• 1/4 cup Amaretto
• 1 tablespoon bitters
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
• 1/2 lime, thinly sliced
• club soda
• ice

12. Apple Pie Hard Cider Cocktail

This delicious cocktail is made with hard apple cider, spiced rum, and cinnamon schnapps. It’s the perfect fall drink and can be garnished with a cinnamon stick or whipped cream.

Ice Hard cider to top off the Cinnamon stick for garnish Instructions: Add ice, vanilla vodka, cinnamon whiskey, apple cider, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake to chill. 

Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top off with hard cider. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. 

Ingredients:

• vanilla vodka
• cinnamon whiskey
• fresh apple cider
• fresh lime juice
• cinnamon stick (for garnish)
• whipped cream (for garnish)

13. Apple Cider Moscow Mule

This inspired take on a beloved classic cocktail, the Moscow Mule, from Sugar and Charm. 

The apple cider gives the traditional mule a real kick with sweet, crisp flavors that complement the powerful ginger beer.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup citron vodka
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ginger beer
• lime wedge for garnish
• cinnamon stick for garnish

14. Hard Apple Cider Ice Cream Float 

This delightful fall twist on a classic ice cream float is made with hard apple cider, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. It’s the perfect treat for any occasion!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hard apple cider
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
• whipped cream (for garnish)
• cinnamon (for garnish)

Why Choose Hard Cider?

Hard cider is a refreshing, versatile beverage that can be enjoyed year-round. It’s perfect for any occasion, from a casual gathering with friends to a formal event. And with so many delicious flavors to choose from, there’s sure to be a hard cider that everyone will enjoy!

Health Benefits of Hard Cider

Hard cider is a good source of antioxidants and has been shown to have several health benefits, including:

• Reducing the risk of heart disease
• Helping to prevent cancer
• Improving digestion
• Reducing inflammation
• Regulating blood sugar levels
• Boosting immunity

Hard Cider vs Beer

Hard cider is often compared to beer, but there are some key differences between the two beverages.

Hard cider is:

• Made from apples (or sometimes other fruits)
• Gluten-free
• Lower in calories
• Higher in antioxidants
• Naturally sweetened

Beer is:

• Made from grains (usually barley)
• Contains gluten
• Higher in calories
• Lower in antioxidants
• Flavored with hops

Conclusion

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy apple cider! Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cocktail or a sweet treat, these recipes are sure to please. Cheers!

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