My homemade caramel apple cider recipe is made with brown sugar and cream instead of caramel syrup, giving it a rich flavor thats hard to beat. This is a cozy, hot drink that can be made anytime of year but is especially a favorite in the colder months. I will show you how to make this cider drink in minutes so that you can enjoy a little taste of fall anytime!

 

When we lived in Connecticut, one of my favorite fall activities was to go apple picking. The orchard we visited served the most amazing caramel apple cider. After we moved away, I decided to recreate the delicious drink at home, and now it’s become a must make every year as soon as the weather starts to turn cold.

Instead of using caramel syrup, my recipe combines brown sugar and cream to make homemade caramel for a rich and creamy drink.

If you love hot drinks, be sure to check out this hot chocolate, hot tea, and these apple cider drinks.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Delicious fall treat. This is an easy, cozy hot drink that has all of the classic fall flavors.
• Simple to make. You can make this with just a few, simple ingredients.
• Customizable. Easy to customize with your favorite toppings. You can also adjust the amount of ingredients to your taste.

Ingredients

Just a few ingredients are needed to make this hot apple cider.

• Apple cider – Use your favorite premade or homemade apple cider.
• Light brown sugar – This is used to make the homemade caramel sauce.
• Heavy cream – Cream gives this drink a rich, caramel flavor. You could substitute with 1/2 and 1/2.
• Vanilla extract – Adds another layer of warmth and sweetness.
• Optional – Whipped cream, ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, caramel syrup

How to make hot caramel apple cider

Step one: Place brown sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine and let heat for 2-3 minutes or until sugar dissolves.

Step two: Pour in the apple cider. Stir again to mix the drink. Let come to a simmer and cook 8-10 minutes.

Step three: Serve this cider warm. Optional, garnish with whipped cream, caramel syrup, cinnamon.

How to keep warm

If you are making this recipe for a party you can keep it warm in a slow cooker. Just set the crockpot on “keep warm” setting and use a ladle for scooping out the drink.

Heather’s recipe tips

• Party – This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a large gathering.
• Optional – If you really want to make an over the top, delicious cider drink, try topping with whipped cream, caramel syrup, and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice.
• Spiked – You could make this a hot toddy by adding a splash of your favorite bourbon or rum.

How to store

You can store any leftovers in a pitcher or Mason jar in the refrigerator. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid. It will stay good for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Common questions

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