Warm Apple Cider

I’m going to be honest here. I really contemplated writing this blog post. I was afraid you would think I was a fraud or mock me for what I’m about to consider a “recipe”.  The thing is, every time I make this for people I get huge kudos and am told how awesome it is. I could continue to take all the credit and glory for this drink but it only seems fair that I share the secret behind this warm apple cider with you. With two ingredients, could it really get any easier?

Are you sure you’re ready for this? My warm apple cider consists of two ingredients: store-bought apple cider and cinnamon sticks! Now, if you search the internet or Pinterest you will see all these amazing recipes for homemade apple cider. You use all different kinds of apples along with spices and make everything from scratch. Knowing me I’ll probably end up making it from scratch at least once just to compare it to this recipe. For now, though, I’m going to stick with this simple method that tastes yummy and makes me look like a rock star to all my friends and family 🙂

I first had this warm apple cider when I was teaching elementary school about 5 years back. Someone had it sitting in a crockpot in the front office and when I turned the corner to walk in the room, the aroma of cinnamon hit me instantly. I tried some, and then some more and then some more! When I asked for the recipe I was shocked to hear how easy it was. I knew I had to add it to my list of fall favorites.

I’m no longer teaching at that school, or even in that city for that matter, but this tradition of drinking warm apple cider at work followed me to my new school. As soon as I start feeling that slight shift from summer to fall, I search the grocery store for apple cider to make this for my colleagues. I make it every year along with my pumpkin butter squares. Everyone expects it from me now.

The mornings and evenings are starting to get a teeny bit cooler here in Florida and I have been starting to see that shift I mentioned. The problem is, this past May I said goodbye to teaching to create this blog instead. I could make the warm apple cider and pumpkin butter squares for my family but that’s a ton of food for just the three of us. Lucky me, and lucky to my old colleagues, I decided to keep the tradition going and head over to school to surprise them with warm apple cider and pumpkin butter squares. I was so excited to see everyone and I think they were happy to see me too…or maybe it was the food they were happy about 🙂

As always, the treats were greatly appreciated and I went home with nothing left. I would call that a successful visit for sure.

So what do you need to make warm apple cider?

1 gallon store-bought apple cider, 2 -3 cinnamon sticks

Pour the apple cider into a crockpot. Throw in 2 – 3 cinnamon sticks and place the crockpot on high for about two hours. Once the apple cider is warmed through you can switch the crockpot to warm and keep it on all day long. The smell is amazing and acts like air freshener that puts you right in the fall spirit!

Tips:

If you don’t have a crockpot you can always just simmer this on your stove top in the house. Bring it to a boil and then place it on low and allow to simmer.

For an adult version, you can add some Fireball to your warm apple cider. The taste of the cinnamon whiskey is a perfect pairing for the cider with just a perfect little kick.

I got this wonderful idea from my friend, Tara for a kid version of this drink. I got her permission to add it so I wanted to give her credit! Every year she makes a special “pumpkin” drink with her son. It’s just warm apple cider with sprinkles inside. The color of the sprinkles disperses throughout the cider which is mesmerizing for a toddler. Heads up! She did say to stay clear of black sprinkles because they make the cider turn gray and not visually appealing.

So there you have. My little secret has become your little secret. I put this “recipe” on the blog and I’m hoping not to catch too much heat for it. At least try it for yourself before you judge me for it. I promise you this warm apple cider will be just the thing you’re looking for to get you in the fall spirit! Enjoy.

Want to remember this? Post this 2-Ingredient Warm Apple Cider to your favorite Pinterest board!