Decadent Bourbon Cocoa Cider

Embrace the luxurious blend of flavors in this decadent bourbon cocoa cider. Warm up with the rich taste of Basil Hayden's® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a hint of crème de cacao, aromatic bitters, and a luscious homemade cider infused with a variety of apples and warm spices. Garnish with an orange twist and freshly grated chocolate for a truly indulgent experience.

Ingredients

1 1⁄2	parts Basil Hayden's® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1⁄2	part crème de cacao
2	dashes aromatic bitters
6	parts homemade cider, warmed
8	apples, sliced (I used a mix of Gala, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith apples)
	whole cinnamon sticks
	whole star anise
3	whole cloves
1	whole nutmeg
2	whole allspice
1	half whole, fresh orange
1.33	cup brown sugar (add up to ½ of brown sugar if you want the cider to be slightly sweeter)

Instructions

• For the bourbon cider

  1. Combine all ingredients into a warm glass mug and lightly stir to combine. Garnish with an orange twist and freshly grated chocolate, if you like.

• For the homemade cider

  1. In a large pot, combine the apples, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
  2. Add orange peels and orange juice to the pot, along with the squeezed orange half.
  3. Cover the mixture with 8 cups of water, bring it to a simmer, then reduce to medium heat and let it lightly simmer for 2 hours.
  4. Mash the apples with a masher and allow the cider to lightly simmer for 1 more hour.
  5. Strain the cider through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the solids. Allow the cider to cool before refrigerating; it stays good for up to 2 weeks.

Aug 16, 2024