Jump to my Banana Old Fashioned Recipe

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Banana Simple Syrup

I don’t love using hard-to-find liqueurs so I impart a lot of my flavor with infused simple syrup. It’s so easy to make and you know exactly what’s in it. The banana syrup used in this recipe has a lot of banana flavor and would be great to use later in oatmeal, smoothies, or sparkling water. The recipe makes 8 oz and you’ll only use 1 oz for each cocktail so if you have some remaining, store it in a glass airtight container in the fridge.

What is an Old Fashioned?

An Old Fashioned cocktail is made with spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. Traditionally the spirit is whiskey, but I prefer to make mine with brandy since it has less bite but still imparts flavor.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Banana Old Fashioned?

• Glasses | A classic cocktail deserves a class glass. These are cut crystal and gorgeous!
• Jigger | Part of any well-equipped bar.
• Glass Bottle | This recipe will be 8 oz of simple syrup. If you don’t use it all for cocktails now store the remaining in a glass bottle in the fridge. It should last one to two weeks.

Banana Old Fashioned Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

BANANA SIMPLE SYRUP

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 banana

BANANA OLD FASHIONED

• ½ slice of orange
• 2 dashes bitters
• 2 maraschino cherries
• dash ground cinnamon
• 2 oz brandy
• 4 oz seltzer water
• 2 slices banana (for garnish)

Directions

1. Bring brown sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil on the stovetop.
2. Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce to a simmer and add sliced bananas, mashing to infuse flavor. Allow syrup to simmer for 10 minutes to thicken.
3. Turn off the burner and let the syrup come to room temperature (should take about 20 minutes)
4. Add the orange slice, bitters, 1 maraschino cherry, cinnamon, and 1 oz banana simple syrup to a double old-fashioned glass and muddle.
5. Add ice, brandy, seltzer water and stir.
6. Garnish with 2 banana slices and 1 maraschino cherry

More Old Fashioned Cocktails:

Cold Fashioned

Blackberry Old Fashioned

Apple Cider Old Fashioned

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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Jump to my Cold Fashioned Recipe

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Why is the Cocktail Called an Old Fashioned?

The origin of the Old Fashioned cocktail is somewhat disputed. According to Wikipedia, the tale goes something like this. The word cocktail was originally defined in the early 1800s as a drink made of spirits, bitters, water, and sugar. As the art of bartending became more complex, patrons would ask for the original cocktail, before more ingredients started being added. They asked for… an ‘old fashioned’ cocktail.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Cold Fashioned?

• Double Old Fashioned Glasses | The drink is in the name! These cut crystal glasses are perfect for this cocktail. They’re pricey but gorgeous and make great gifts!
• Jigger | Part of any well-equipped bar.
• Muddler | Getting those orange flavors into the drink enhances the cocktail.
• Large Ice Cube Mold | The larger the ice cube, the slower it will melt and helps to not water down the cocktail

Cold Fashioned Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 1 orange slice
• 4 cubes of sugar
• 3 dashes bitters
• 1 oz brandy (I prefer Korbel)
• 8 oz cold brew (not concentrate)
• 2 maraschino cherries

Directions

1. Place sugar cubes, ½ an orange slice, and bitters in an old-fashioned glass
2. Muddle dissolving the sugar and releasing the orange oil
3. Add ice cube, brandy, and cold brew
4. Garnish with ½ an orange slice and 2 cherries

More Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipes:

Blackberry Old Fashioned

Apple Cider Old Fashioned

Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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Jump to my White Holiday Sangria Recipe

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What alcohol is in Sangria?

Technically Sangria must originate from Spain or Portugal, so since I’m currently sitting in Chicago this is really a punch made with wine.

…sangria traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients or spirits.

Wikipedia

You’ll see I continue to buck tradition by making this “sangria” with white wine over red. I like to add brandy to the punch because just a little can add a ton of warmth and depth of flavor, in addition to throwing in a couple of cinnamon sticks.

Ingredients Needed to Make White Holiday Sangria

• White Wine – Since this will be mixed with lots of other things, no need to spend a ton of money here. You’ll be sweetening with simple syrup and fruit, so you’ll want something dry, like a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
• Brandy – I lived in Wisconsin for a stint where they consume the most brandy in all of the U.S., and their brandy of choice is Korbel. Need I say more?
• Pear Juice – I joked above but I really have had my fair share of apple cider once December rolls around. Fun fact, December is national pear month. When in Rome…It’s kind of hard to find 100% pure pear juice but I was able to get this one on Amazon (and for such a good price!)
• Sparkling Water – Not necessary but I like a little topper to give some bubbles to a festive evening, plus it helps dilute it if it’s going to be a long night.
• Pears – See “Pear Juice” above.
• Orange – There should be a little citrus in any well-constructed cocktail, plus it pairs perfectly with brandy. If you don’t love the look of the orange color in an otherwise white, red, and green drink, just remove it before serving.
• Sugar – You’ll need ¼ cup simple syrup so if you already have some no need to make for this.
• Pomegranate Seeds – Use to garnish.

What Tools Do You Need to Make Sangria?

• Glass Bottle | – You’ll only use ¼ cup simple syrup so you’ll want to store the rest in the fridge. This can last a couple of weeks but use your judgment. If mine starts to get cloudy I toss it.
• Glass Pitcher | I used a mixing pitcher but I love this handled pitcher to make it easier to pour.
• Sharp Knife | You’ll be chopping a good amount of fruit. I have this knife set and am obsessed, goes through the fruit (and basically everything) like buttah.

White Holiday Sangria Recipe

Servings: 4-6

For the Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar

For the Sangria

• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine
• ⅓ cup brandy (I prefer Korbel)
• ¼ cup simple syrup
• 1 cup pear juice 
• 1 orange
• 2 pears
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Sparkling water (top glass, I used about 1 oz per glass)
• Pomegranate seeds to garnish

Directions

1. Make the simple syrup by adding 1 cup of water to a saucepan with the sugar and bring it to a boil. Once all the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
2. Slice orange and dice pears.
3. Add the first 7 ingredients to a pitcher over ice and stir, giving a good mix.
4. Pour Sangria into a glass over ice, top with sparkling water, and garnish with pomegranate seeds.
5. Enjoy!

 Tips

• The flavors deepen if you are able to let the fruit soak for at least 4 hours, although I have drank it immediately and it was still delicious.
• Sangria should last in the fridge for 1-2 days, but watch for the fruit to go bad after that.

More Christmas Cocktails:

Warm Mulled Wine

Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

Cranberry Bliss Bar Cocktail

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. I am very obsessed with FTC compliance so check out my full disclosure for details.

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Jump to my Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Brandy vs. Whiskey

A traditional old fashioned is made with whiskey but brandy gives a more mild, slightly sweet flavor to the classic cocktail. People will ask why a Wisconsin Old Fashioned is different, and using brandy instead of whiskey is the key difference. Brandy isn’t sweet by any means, which is why we add sugar, but it won’t burn your chest the way whiskey does.

I find that brandy goes really well with apple cider. Since brandy is made from grapes it’s complements the apple in the cider, as opposed to whiskey that can overwhelm the apple cider flavor. Since traditional apple cider is just made from raw apple juice, and there is no sweetener added, it’s important to pair with a mild alcohol.

The secret to a good old fashioned is a) the alcohol used (I always choose brandy) 2) including ALL the ingredients 3) the correct proportions. I’ve made countless old fashioneds and I like 2 to 1 parts mixer to alcohol.

What Tools Do You Need to Make an Apple Cider Old Fashioned?

• Double Old Fashioned Glasses | The drink is in the name! These cut crystal glasses are made for this cocktail. They’re pricey but gorgeous and make great gifts!
• Jigger | Part of any well-equipped bar.
• Muddler | Getting those orange flavors into the drink enhances the cocktail.
• Large Ice Cube Mold | The larger the ice cube, the slower it will melt and water down the drink

Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• ½ of an orange slice
• ½ tsp brown sugar
• 3 dashes bitters
• 2 oz brandy (I prefer Korbel)
• 4 oz apple cider
• Cinnamon stick for garnish
• Apple slice for garnish

Directions

1. Place brown sugar and orange in an old fashioned glass
2. Add bitters and muddle breaking up the orange
3. Add ice cube, brandy, and apple cider
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of apple

More Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes:

• Apple Cider Donut Martini
• Warm Spiked Apple Cider
• Cranberry Apple Cider Martini

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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Jump to my Blackberry Old Fashioned Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Blackberry Simple Syrup

Fruit-infused simple syrups are easy to make, add a ton of flavor, and can be stored in the fridge to use at a later day. Aside from this cocktail try adding the blackberry simple syrup to sparkling water, a smoothie, oatmeal, coffee, or ice cream.

Brandy vs. Whiskey

A traditional old fashioned cocktail is made with whiskey but the Wisconsin version is made with brandy instead. Brandy gives a more mild, slightly sweet flavor to the classic cocktail. It’s not sweet by any means, which is why we add the simple syrup and soda, but what I mean is it won’t burn your chest the way whiskey does.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Blackberry Old Fashioned?

• Fine Mesh Strainer | You’ll need a mesh strainer to make the blackberry simple syrup to remove the seeds.
• Glass Bottle | This recipe makes almost two cups of simple syrup so if you don’t use it all you’ll want to store it in the fridge
• Double Old Fashioned Glasses | The drink is in the name! These cut crystal glasses are made for this cocktail. They’re pricey but gorgeous and make great gifts!
• Jigger | Part of any well-equipped bar.
• Muddler | Breaking up the flavors of the fruit enhances the cocktail.
• Large Ice Cube Mold | The larger the ice cube, the slower it will melt and water down the drink

Blackberry Old Fashioned Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

FOR THE BLACKBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup blackberries

FOR THE BLACKBERRY OLD FASHIONED:

• ½ oz homemade blackberry simple syrup
• 2 blackberries
• ½ of an orange slice
• 3 dashes bitters
• 2 oz brandy (I prefer Korbel)
• 4 oz Sprite
• Blackberries for garnish

Directions

1. Add 8 oz of water, blackberries, and granulated sugar to a saucepan and bring to a boil
2. Once the sugar has dissolved turn off the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature; this will take about 25 minutes
3. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl (I like to use this measuring cup since it has a spout) and pour the syrup through
4. Add simple syrup, 2 blackberries, orange slice and bitters to the bottom of an old fashioned glass
5. Muddle blackberries and orange slice
6. Add ice cube, brandy and top with sprite
7. Garnish with additional blackberries

Tip: Don’t forget to put any remaining simple syrup in a glass bottle and store it in the fridge. It should last 1-2 weeks.

More Brandy Recipes:

• Wisconsin Old Fashioned
• Warm Spiked Apple Cider
• Brandy Manhattan

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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After much research and tweaking, below is my new favorite Brandy Manhattan recipe.

Jump to my Brandy Manhattan Recipe

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What’s the Difference Between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan?

Both Old Fashioneds and Manhattans are classic cocktails with only mild differences between them, but the differences make a huge difference.

First, let’s take the ingredient list. There are only three ingredients to a Brandy Manhattan: brandy, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Aside from a cherry garnish, that’s it. So you can see how this will be an easy cocktail to make. While old fashioneds don’t contain vermouth, they do have an orange, sugar cubes, and soda.

Second, let’s discuss the taste. A Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet has sweet in the name because it is sweet, and that comes from the sugar cubes and the lemon-lime soda. And while a Brandy Manhattan uses sweet vermouth, it isn’t nearly as sweet. As we discussed, a Manhattan is made of three ingredients, and all of them are alcohol. There is no ‘mixer’ like there is in an Old Fashioned. Some people ask if the Manhattan is a strong drink or a girly drink (I hate that phrase BTW) and it’s kind of all relative. Since it’s only made of booze it is stronger than a lot of drinks, but since it’s brandy-based it’s not as strong as some whiskey or bourbon cocktails.

Lastly, how are the cocktails served? The old fashioned is always served in a double old fashioned glass, I mean…it’s in the name, right? A manhattan can either be served in a martini (or my preference, a coupe) glass straight up or in a DOF on the rocks.

Types of Manhattans

This recipe is for a Brandy Manhattan but you can also make it with other alcohol like whiskey, bourbon, and scotch. What I find really important though is knowing the variations of a Manhattan, especially when you are out and ordering one. There is nothing more embarrassing than when a bartender asks you a question and you aren’t sure how to answer it.

When ordering a Manhattan you can order it Classic (which you don’t say classic, you just order the manhattan), Dry, or Perfect. A dry manhattan replaces the sweet vermouth with dry vermouth, which is the typical ingredient in a dry martini. The perfect martini (so don’t let the name confuse you) is half sweet vermouth and half dry vermouth (not that it tastes perfect but maybe it does to you).

Best Brandy for a Manhattan

Since the brandy will be used in making a cocktail and not served neat, there is no reason to use a very expensive top-shelf brandy. Wisconsinites know that Korbel is the perfect brandy for making an old-fashioned, and it’s perfect for making a manhattan too. If you find yourself in northern California you can even check out the Korbel Brandy Distillery in Sonoma.

What bar tools do you need to make a Brandy Manhattan?

• Bar Spoon | Manhattans are stirred, not shaken. You can use any spoon, but this is part of a well-stocked bar. If you are wondering why, shaking can make the cocktail cloudy, and that’s not aesthetically pleasing.
• Bar Strainer | You’ll need to strain the cocktail from the ice.
• Jigger | This makes it easy to measure.
• Cocktail Picks | You’ll need these for the cherry garnish.

Brandy Manhattan Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 2 Amarena Cherries
• 2 oz Brandy
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes Bitters
• Ice

Directions

1. Place ice in a cocktail pitcher
2. Add brandy, vermouth, and bitters and stir until cold
3. Pour into a glass, straining ice
4. Garnish with two cherries

 Other Brandy Cocktails:

Looking for a non-alcoholic version of the Brandy Manhattan? Check out this Manhattan Mocktail recipe!

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Know a brandy lover? Check out this gift guide for ideas that aren’t just another bottle of booze.

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This version is dairy-free using a milk alternative, but feel free to use the real thing (you’ll even get a better froth).

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

What is Masala Chai

I’m going to take a minute to share what I’ve learned about chai because I think it’s interesting how words and languages can evolve as they become widely adopted.

Chai translates to tea in India. It isn’t a type of tea so when people in the U.S. say ‘Chai Tea’ they are really saying ‘Tea Tea’. What many people in the U.S. think of as Chai is actually Masala Chai. Masala translates to spice in Hindi. So technically Masala Chai is spice tea, and that’s exactly what it is, a black team made with spices. Usually, the spices are composed of cardamom, black pepper, ginger, and cinnamon.

I have chosen to use masala chai in the recipe, but you can always use black tea and add the spices to the boiling water. You’ll just need to strain the tea prior to blending.

Recommended Tools to Make a Spiked Chai Latte

• Immersion Blender | Also known as a hand blender or a stick blender, this will be essential for getting a nice froth
• Glass Mugs | Not a necessity, but I love seeing a warm cocktail through a glass mug. These are 13 oz and feel solid.

Spiked Chai Latte Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 2 Masala Chai Bags
• 1 ½ cups milk or milk alternative
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 oz Brandy
• ground cinnamon & cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Directions

1. Add ½ cup of water and chai to a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil
2. Reduce heat to medium and steep for 7-10 minutes
3. Remove bags from saucepan
4. Add milk and maple syrup
5. Turn off the heat and blend using an immersion blender until froth forms
6. Pour Brandy into a mug and fill the mug with chai latte
7. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick

More Festive Cocktails:

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you.  I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own.  And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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If you aren’t familiar with brandy (I know I wasn’t before I started drinking it) you might wonder what it even is. Brandy is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from wine. The most common brandy is made from grapes but technically can be made from any fruit wine. If someone just mentions brandy you can bet it’s made with grapes, but the other fruit wine is reference based on what it’s made from, i.e. cherry brandy, apple brandy, blackberry brandy…you get it.

Cognac and Armagnac get thrown into the brandy discussion as well as they are types of brandy, but they must be made in those specific regions of France (like Champagne can only be made in the Champagne region of France).

I’m not one to drink brandy neat, but I know plenty of brandy lovers do. However the brandy drinker in your life likes to drink it, there is sure to be a gift for them on this list.

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Reidel

Snifter Glasses

FOR THE TRADITIONALIST

Snifter glasses are the classic way to drink brandy neat. Holding the base of the bulb in your palm warms up the alcohol, and the opening to the glass is the perfect shape to ‘snift’ the scent. The clean design of the glasses lets you admire the alcohol.

Go Shopping

Waterford

Double Old Fashioned Glasses

KEEP IT CLASSY, SAN DIEGO

There’s nothing like drinking from a real cut crystal glass. It’s more versatile than a snifter but still classic.

We make all our old fashioned’s in these glasses, and they have a nice weight to them. The crosscut Lismore design lends itself to the throwback vibe.

Go Shopping

Crate & Barrel

Decanter

A SHOWSTOPPER FOR THE BAR

How gorgeous would this decanter look on a bar? Not sure it necessarily does anything for the alcohol (do you aerate Brandy?), but it sure is pretty. And for the price, it can’t be beaten.

Go Shopping

Luxardo

Maraschino Cherries

AN OLD-FASHIONED NECESSITY

No one wants to spend over $20 on a garnish, but that’s what makes this a perfect gift! These cherries are the gold standard when it comes to maraschino. No neon Red #40 dye here since they are made in Italy.

Go Shopping

Red Clover Coffee

Coffee

BRANDY, BUT FOR THE DAY

Coffee beans soaked in blackberry brandy…OK, sign me up! I haven’t tried this yet but it has great reviews and I love the company’s giveback mission. So basically what I’m saying is, I know someone who will be getting this as a gift this year.

Go Shopping

Asbach

Chocolate

THE GOLDEN TICKET

These little chocolate beans are filled with real brandy. They’re made in Germany and are kind of hard to find outside of the holidays. Room temperature brandy inside chocolate is a little too strong for me, but my grandma swears by them. Just one and you should be good to go!

Actually, I think she stores them in the freezer but they are still just slightly too strong for me. I’ll take mine in a glass please.

Go Shopping

Related: Gift Ideas for Wine Lovers

Purple Door

Ice Cream

A FROZEN COCKTAIL

Similar to the coffee, I’m personally buying this as a gift for someone this year. I have never, and I mean never, seen brandy old fashioned ice cream before. Luckily, a local place in Milwaukee now ships nationwide. Cheers!

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World Market

Candle

IT’S LIT

Cognac & Cypress doesn’t that sound decadent. Sounds like it should be lit while drinking a cocktail sitting on a leather sofa surrounded by wood and books. But that’s just me.

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Bookshop.org

Book

A FROZEN COCKTAIL

For a true brandy lover, a book about the best brandy’s in the world would make a great gift (along with one of the bottles featured maybe?). I haven’t read this but it has great reviews and word on the street is if you are going to read one book about brandy, this should be it.

Go Shopping

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. I am very obsessed with FTC compliance so check out my full disclosure for details.

Ready to make some cocktails? Check out these recipes:

Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

Spiked Apple Cider

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Sure you can buy Glühwein in a bottle at the store, but it’s no replacement for fresh ingredients simmering on the stovetop making your home smell like the set of a Christmas movie.  And since it’s so simple to make, it’s an easy way to elevate a normal night in.

Jump to my Glühwein Recipe

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What is Glühwein?

Glühwein (pronounced “GLUE-vine”) translates into ‘glow wine’.  And with a mug of this, you most definitely will…glow that is.  In English, we call this ‘mulled wine’, but however you pronounce it (I tend to think the German pronunciation sounds a little more festive), it is the quintessential Christmas cocktail.

You can find Glühwein at any European holiday market and with the rise in popularity, it’s become available in many other places and seasons too (I’ve been known to drink a mug of this instead of beer at an Oktoberfest or two).

So instead of pouring a glass of red for your next low-key night, pour the bottle into a pot instead and smell the magic happen. 

Prost!

Glühwein Recipe

Servings: 4 (or 3 generous pours)

Ingredients

• 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine
• 1⁄3 cup brandy (I prefer Korbel)
• 1⁄4 cup maple syrup 
• 1⁄2 orange, cut into slices
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1⁄2 teaspoon whole cloves
• 2 star anise

Directions

1. Place all ingredients into a pot on the stovetop
2. Turn the burner on low to medium-low (mine is set on 2)
3. Heat pot on the burner for 15 minutes, turn off the burner
4. Pour wine into a fine-mesh strainer
5. Pour into mugs
6. Garnish with cinnamon stick and star anise from the strainer

 Tips

• VERY IMPORTANT – do not bring the pot to a boil as this will evaporate the alcohol, low and slow is the name of the game.  Steam will rise and indicate it’s heated through.
• The wine does not need to be expensive since you’ll be adding to the flavor, but should be full-bodied to complement the spices (like a nice Cabernet Sauvignon).
• If you don’t have or like maple syrup, substitute honey, granulated sugar, or any sweetener of your choice.
• I’m not a big licorice fan, but the star anise amps up the ‘spiced’ flavor.  You can leave it out, but I highly recommend trying it first.
• If you don’t want to use a strainer (I personally don’t), you need to ensure you remove all cloves.  Can’t serve a choking hazard to guests.
• Clear mugs add to the festive vibe, totally optional.

Looking for more festive cocktails?

• Chocolate Covered Cherry Martini
• Cranberry Bliss Bar Cocktail
• White Holiday Sangria

The post German Mulled Wine (Glühwein) Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Hot Tip: If you happen to find yourself in Milwaukee in the fall or winter, do yourself a favor and go to Von Trier.  They have an extensive warm drink menu, as one rightfully should. 

If you don’t happen to have an old-world European cocktail lounge easily accessible, learning how to make warm drinks at home is the next best thing.  This year I’ve replaced the snow-covered nights walking to Von Trier with stay-at-home nights by the fireplace but one thing remains constant.  The warm spiked cocktail.

Jump to my Spiked Apple Cider Recipe

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Why Warm Spiked Apple Cider?

If you’ve read the Apple Cider Martini post (which you should definitely try if you are a vodka girl like myself) you know of my love for all things apple cider…cocktails, donuts, straight up.  It’s a perfect seasonal beverage, you can drink it cold or warm, spiked or virgin, and from Labor Day (rules are rules) through winter.

This warm spiked apple cider recipe uses brandy, which keeps it naturally gluten-free.  While most recipes use a dark liquor like whiskey or bourbon, it’s kind of a grey area if those are gluten-free (technically the distilling process removes the gluten but I wouldn’t want to test that on someone with Celiac).

I prefer the flavor of brandy in a spiked cocktail more than grain alcohol as well as I find those to pack quite a punch.  Brandy adds subtle warmth and flavor. 

So pull up a blanket, turn on the fire, and snuggle up with your favorite fall movie and warm spiked apple cider.

Enjoy!

Spiked Apple Cider Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz brandy (I prefer Korbel)
• 8 oz apple cider (apple as the only ingredient)
• ½ tsp honey (local if you can) 
• 1 orange
• Cinnamon stick

Directions

1. Place apple cider and honey in a microwavable safe mug
2. Microwave for 60 seconds or until warm (see Tips for stovetop method)
3. Pour brandy into the mug
4. Squeeze orange slice into brandy cider mixture
5. Stir with a cinnamon stick

 Tips

• If making a large batch I recommend the stovetop method.  Warm cider and honey in a pot on the stovetop, pour into mugs, then add brandy.  Adding brandy during heating can evaporate the alcohol, which you will NOT want to do.
• If you don’t have a cinnamon stick add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the cider/honey prior to heating.
• Clear mugs add to the festive vibe, totally optional.
• Looking for an apple-based mocktail? Try this Virgin Old Fashioned recipe.

More Fall-inspired cocktails:

Pumpkin Spice Martini

Dirty Chai Martini

Apple Cider Donut Martini

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