Nothing says “home” quite like the smell of apples and cinnamon simmering on the stove. That’s why my Apple Pie Hot Toddy has become my go-to drink when the temperature drops and I’m craving something cozy. I’ll never forget the first time I made it – a crisp Texas evening with family gathered ’round the fireplace, everyone’s noses pink from the cold. I wanted to capture that golden, baked-pie comfort in a mug, so I tossed apple cider with warming spices and a splash of bourbon into a pot. The moment that sweet, spiced steam hit the air, I knew I’d stumbled onto something special. Now just the scent of cinnamon sticks and caramelized apples takes me right back to that night, where one sip turned into a winter tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Hot Toddy
This warm, spiced drink is like wrapping yourself in your favorite blanket – but tastier! Here’s why it’s become my cold-weather staple:
- Instant coziness: One sip and you’ll feel like you’re curled up by the fireplace, even if you’re just on the couch.
- Effortless to whip up: Just toss everything in a pot and let the magic happen while you relax.
- Holiday hero: The warm apple pie flavor makes it perfect for Thanksgiving through New Year’s – I always make a big batch when hosting!
- Totally your call: Swap bourbon for whiskey, skip the booze entirely, or add a dollop of whipped cream – it’s delicious every which way. Psst… if you love apple pie flavors, you’ll adore our apple pie egg rolls too!
Ingredients for Apple Pie Hot Toddy
This cozy drink comes together with just a handful of pantry staples – most of which I bet you already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to make your kitchen smell like a cider mill:
- 1 ½ cups apple cider – The good, unfiltered kind with that deep amber color (I use local when I can find it)
- 2 tablespoons honey – Adjust to taste, but trust me, this golden sweetness makes all the difference
- ½ lemon, sliced – I leave the ends unpicked so they can float prettily in the mugs
- Spices:
- 1 cinnamon stick (don’t even think about ground cinnamon here)
- 8 whole cloves – they look like little stars when they float up
- 2 star anise – nature’s perfect garnish
- 3 ounces apple pie moonshine – Or use bourbon/scotch if that’s what’s in your liquor cabinet (I won’t tell)
- Apple slices – For that final “wow” when serving
The beauty? You can tweak everything to your mood and what’s available. Out of honey? Brown sugar works in a pinch. Want it boozier? Add an extra splash after pouring. That’s the magic of hot toddies – they’re more about feeling than measuring.
How to Make Apple Pie Hot Toddy
Making this cozy drink is as easy as pie – actually, way easier since there’s no crust to fuss with! Here’s how I do it (while sneaking tastes of the simmering cider, of course):
- Warm all those gorgeous spices: Grab your favorite saucepan (mine’s the little copper-bottomed one) and pour in the apple cider. Add the honey, lemon slices, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise. Don’t skip the whole spices – they’ll make your kitchen smell heavenly as they steep.
- Get it just hot enough: Turn the heat to medium and let everything get friendly. You’re aiming for tiny bubbles around the edges, not a rolling boil – we don’t want to cook off all that lovely apple flavor! Give it about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so the honey dissolves completely.
- The boozy moment: Take the pot off the heat – very important unless you want to burn off your whiskey! Stir in the apple pie moonshine (or bourbon). This is when I always take my first “quality control” sip to check if it needs more honey – I like mine extra sweet.
- The grand finale: Pour into your prettiest mugs through a little strainer to catch the spices – though I sometimes leave the cinnamon stick in for looks. Top with fresh apple slices that will warm from the steam, making them taste almost baked. Pro tip: if you want it extra special, try my honey lemon trick from my reset lemonade recipe and rim the glass with cinnamon sugar first!
That’s it! Five minutes on the stove and you’ve got pure liquid comfort. The hardest part? Waiting for it to cool enough so you don’t burn your tongue on that first magical sip.
Apple Pie Hot Toddy Variations
One of my favorite things about this cozy drink? It’s like putty in your hands – you can shape it however you’re feeling that day! Here are my go-to twists when I want to mix things up:
- The “No Proof” Party: Just leave out the moonshine! The spiced cider is so flavorful on its own that nobody will miss the booze (though I sometimes add a splash of vanilla extract for extra depth). It’s perfect for when the kids beg for “mommy’s special apple drink.”
- Bourbon Time: Whenever my husband catches me making toddies, he insists I go heavy on his favorite Kentucky bourbon instead of moonshine. The caramel notes in bourbon play beautifully with the honey – it’s like apple pie met pecan pie and had a delicious baby!
- Coconut Dream: Inspired by our pink coconut mojito, I’ll sometimes add a tablespoon of coconut cream for a tropical twist. It turns creamy and luxurious – basically dessert in a mug.
Honestly? The options are endless. Try dark rum for a deeper flavor, maple syrup instead of honey, or even a pinch of cayenne if you’re feeling adventurous. That’s the beauty of toddies – they’re forgiving and just want you to be happy!
Tips for the Perfect Apple Pie Hot Toddy
After making this cozy drink more times than I can count (and taste-testing every batch, of course), I’ve learned a few tricks to take it from good to “can I have another?” levels of delicious:
- Keep it gentle: That cider should barely whisper bubbles – a full boil makes the apples taste dull and can evaporate too much liquid. Low and slow is the way to go!
- Spice like you mean it: Those cinnamon sticks and star anise in your pantry from last holiday season? Toss ’em. Fresh spices make all the difference – they should smell vibrant when you open the jar.
- Mug matters: Nothing kills the cozy vibe faster than pouring hot toddies into cold mugs. I give mine a quick hot water bath while the cider simmers – it keeps every sip perfectly warm longer.
Bonus tip from my husband: If you’re sharing with friends, keep the spices simmering in a slow cooker on warm – it makes your whole house smell amazing and lets everyone serve themselves!
Serving Suggestions for Apple Pie Hot Toddy
This cozy drink shines all on its own – nothing beats curling up with a steaming mug and a good book on a chilly evening. But when I’m feeling fancy or hosting friends, I love pairing it with our cinnamon roll honeybun cheesecake – the warm spices in both create the ultimate comfort food moment. For a simple yet festive touch, I’ll add extra apple wheel floats or even a cinnamon sugar-dusted whipped cream cloud on top. Pro tip: serve it in clear glass mugs so everyone can admire those beautiful spices swirling around!
Nutritional Information
Just between us, I’m not one to count calories when it comes to cozy drinks – life’s too short! But for those curious, these numbers are rough estimates since brands and ingredient sizes vary. The honey and apple cider bring natural sweetness, while the alcohol adds a little kick. Honestly? I say enjoy every warming sip without worrying – some things are just good for the soul.
Apple Pie Hot Toddy FAQs
I get asked about this cozy drink all the time – especially when friends try it at my house and immediately want to make their own. Here are the questions that come up most often (along with my tried-and-true answers):
Can I make Apple Pie Hot Toddy ahead of time?
Absolutely! I actually prefer making the spiced cider base a few hours before serving. Just simmer everything except the alcohol, then let it cool and stash it in the fridge. When you’re ready, gently reheat and stir in the booze – the flavors will have melded beautifully. This trick saves me so much time during holiday parties!
What’s the best substitute if I don’t have apple pie moonshine?
Don’t sweat it – I’ve tried them all! Bourbon gives that classic caramel warmth, while regular whiskey keeps things simple. For something different, spiced rum adds a tropical twist. My secret? A splash of vanilla extract with whatever liquor you use makes it taste extra pie-like. And if you’re out of liquor entirely, just skip it – the spiced cider is delicious on its own.
How should I store leftovers?
If by some miracle you have leftovers (we rarely do!), strain out the spices and keep the liquid in a sealed jar in the fridge for 2-3 days. The alcohol preserves it nicely. To reheat, just warm gently on the stove – microwaving can make the honey separate. Pro tip: leftover spiked cider makes amazing French toast batter the next morning!
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Apple Pie Hot Toddy
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A warm, spiced beverage with apple cider, honey, and whiskey, perfect for cold evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons honey, more or less to taste
- ½ lemon, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- 3 ounces apple pie moonshine (or whiskey, bourbon, or scotch)
- apple slices, for garnish
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add the apple cider, honey, lemon slices, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves.
- Bring to a simmer and cook gently for about 5 minutes to let the flavors combine.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the moonshine.
- Pour into glass mugs and garnish with apple slices.
Notes
- Adjust honey to taste.
- Use whiskey or bourbon if moonshine is unavailable.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: Apple Pie Hot Toddy, cozy drinks, hot drinks, winter drinks, spiced cider