Warm Cinnamon Caramel Apple Cider
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This five-step warm cinnamon caramel apple cider tastes like apple pie in a mug. Made with apple juice simmered with homemade brown sugar and cinnamon syrup, it’s finished with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel. It’s a cozy, caffeine-free alternative to a coffee shop treat, perfect for chilly fall afternoons, holiday gatherings, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and warming. Best of all, the cinnamon syrup can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator, so you can have a comforting drink ready in just minutes. If you love cozy apple recipes, try my homemade apple butter or these baked apple cider donuts next.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tastes like apple pie – Warm apple juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon create a comforting drink with all the flavors of a fall dessert.
- Caffeine-free – A fun alternative to coffee shop drinks when you want something warm without the caffeine.
- Easy to make ahead – The homemade cinnamon syrup keeps in the refrigerator for up to a month, making it easy to prepare a drink whenever the craving hits.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Apple juice – Apple juice is sometimes used interchangeably with apple cider though juice is typically filtered which makes it clearer. Sugar is also frequently added to apple juice. Cider refers to the fresh pressed juice with no additives. While apple juice is used in this recipe you can substitute apple cider.
- Simple syrup – Simple syrup is made by boiling equal parts sugar and water to form a sweet sticky syrup. In this recipe I use dark brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a sweeter alternative.
- Cinnamon stick – Rather than using ground cinnamon the simple syrup is made with cinnamon sticks. This flavors the syrup with deep cinnamon flavor without adding a gritty texture.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pro Tip
Don’t be afraid to go big with the toppings! This is a versatile drink, so feel free to add a dash of cinnamon, a few slices of apple, or even some sprinkles for the kids.
Swaps and Substitutions
- Apple juice: Use fresh apple cider for a deeper, more robust apple flavor. Apple juice is typically clearer and more filtered, while cider has a fresher pressed-apple flavor.
- Brown sugar: Substitute light brown sugar for a milder molasses flavor, or use dark brown sugar for a richer syrup.
- Cinnamon sticks: If you don’t have cinnamon sticks, you can use ground cinnamon, though it may leave some sediment in the syrup.
- Caramel syrup: Use homemade caramel sauce or store-bought caramel topping. Thin thicker sauces slightly if needed for drizzling.
- Whipped cream: Use homemade whipped cream, canned whipped cream, or a dairy-free whipped topping.
- Extra spice: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice to the syrup for a more complex, chai-inspired flavor.
How to Make this Caramel Apple Drink (Step-by-Step)
- Add sugar and cinnamon to a pan. Add the the brown sugar, cinnamon and 1 cup to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Make the simple syrup. Bring the mixture a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Continue to boil until a syrup forms, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
- Use or store. The syrup can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- Heat apple juice. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the apple juice to a simmer then remove from heat.
- Assemble and serve. Add 3 tablespoons of the cinnamon syrup and stir to combine. Divide the mixture into mugs and top with whipped cream and caramel syrup.
How to Serve Warm Cinnamon Caramel Apple Cider
- Finish with whipped cream: Add a generous swirl of whipped cream to each mug just before serving.
- Drizzle with caramel: Finish with caramel syrup for a sweet, buttery topping.
- Add a cinnamon garnish: Place a cinnamon stick in each mug for extra aroma and a festive presentation.
- Serve with something sweet: Pair with apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, shortbread cookies, or a slice of coffee cake.
- Make it for a crowd: Keep the warmed apple juice and cinnamon syrup in a slow cooker on the warm setting so guests can serve themselves. Add whipped cream and caramel individually.
How to Store Cinnamon Caramel Apple Cider
- Cinnamon syrup: Store leftover syrup in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Prepared apple cider: Refrigerate leftover apple juice and cinnamon syrup in a covered container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Toppings: Add whipped cream and caramel just before serving rather than storing them with the prepared drink.
- Make ahead: Prepare the cinnamon syrup in advance so assembling the drinks takes just a few minutes.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Apple cider is a great substitute and gives the drink a deeper, more pronounced apple flavor. Since cider is generally less filtered than apple juice, the finished drink may have a slightly richer appearance and taste.
Yes! The cinnamon syrup can be made up to a month ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s great to have on hand for quickly making individual drinks or serving a batch to guests.
Yes. Let the cinnamon syrup cool completely, then stir it into chilled apple juice. Pour over ice and finish with whipped cream and caramel syrup. The warm version is especially cozy, but the cold version makes a refreshing alternative.
Start with less cinnamon syrup than the recipe calls for and add more to taste. You can also use unsweetened apple cider instead of sweetened apple juice and go lighter on the caramel drizzle.
Yes. Multiply the apple juice and cinnamon syrup quantities by the number of servings you need. Warm everything together in a saucepan or slow cooker, then let guests add their own whipped cream and caramel topping. Keep the toppings separate until serving.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy loved this warming cinnamon caramel apple cider, check out some of my favorite recipes below:
Tried it? Loved it? Tweaked it? Leave a review below and tell me how it went – I’m all ears (and always hungry).
Warm Cinnamon Caramel Apple Cider
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Ingredients:
For the cinnamon syrup:
- 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
- 2 sticks cinnamon
For assembly:
- 2 cups apple juice
- Whipped cream, as needed, for topping
- 3 tablespoons caramel syrup
Instructions:
For the cinnamon syrup:
- Add the the sugar, cinnamon sticks and 1 cup water to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Bring the mixture a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Continue to boil until a syrup forms, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
- The syrup can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.
For assembly:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the apple juice to a simmer then remove from heat.
- Add 3 tablespoons of the cinnamon syrup and stir to combine. Divide the mixture into mugs and top with whipped cream and caramel syrup.
Notes:
Nutrition:
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ooh this sounds delicious, almost like apple cider (: i’ve definitely been a serial starbucks goer on long days (it’s hard not to esp when i know there’s 3 on/near campus!), so hopefully i can integrate some of this in instead of dropping $4+ on another drink!
Yes I feel like there is a starbucks on every corner by me!! It will definitely save you some money that you can spend on other food! 🙂 hope you enjoy the recipe heather!