Cinnamon Apple Cider Crush

Ask and you shall receive!

Last week, I did a poll on Instagram, asking you guys if you wanted an apple cider cocktail or a white russian remix on the blog first. You guys voted for apple cider! My kind of people.

For those that voted for the white russian, have no fear. It’s coming at ya next week. And it is gooooood. Really, there are no losers in this situation.

This cinnamon apple cider crush cocktail is everything I want to be drinking right now. And not just because it’s Thirsty Thursday. Oh my gosh, it’s so seasonal and pretty – and most importantly: DELICIOUS. It’s the perfect mix of cozy and refreshing, and it comes together fairly easily!

It reminds me of my go-to fall cocktail a couple years ago: apple cider martinis. Dan and I would make them almost every weekend. They were so easy and felt so appropriate for the season. Maybe I should put that recipe on the blog someday? It’s like 3 ingredients.

Let’s get into today’s drink, shall we?

First things first: cinnamon simple syrup. As the name implies, it’s simple to make. You boil sugar and water together until the sugar dissolves and then steep cinnamon sticks in the syrup while it cools. Voile! Cinnamon simple syrup that is good in so many things. I highly suggest you try it in your morning coffee. Day = made.

Next up is the easiest cocktail mix ever: apple cider, orange juice, grapefruit juice, the cinnamon syrup, and vodka! Side bar: I’ve made this a few times, once without vodka, and it works juuuust fine! For those of you who may not be able or want to have alcohol.

The citrus juices are imperative here. They brighten things up! They make this cocktail refreshing. And they taste absolutely fabulous with cinnamon and apples. Trust me.

Mix everything together and pour it into glasses of ice. I prefer crushed ice (which adds to the name of this drink), but I realize that can be a little bit more high maintenance if you don’t have a fridge that makes crushed ice. Mine doesn’t and I still get out my blender whenever I want crushed ice. High maintenance, for sure, but I think it’s so worth it. It really does make a difference. Why do things always taste better over crushed ice?

Oh! And let’s not forget the cinnamon sugar rim on the glasses. I actually mix cinnamon sugar up in large batches and keep it in a sealed container in my pantry. It only takes 30 seconds to make but can be used in so many things. Like all the fall cocktails! It keeps for forever in the pantry – I think the batch I’m still working through is over a year old. It will last just as long as sugar and spices usually last!

I like it here because it drives home that cinnamon flavor first. It’s the very first thing you taste when you drink one of these. It’s quickly followed up by the perfect mix of spicy-sweet apples and bright and light citrus. OMG. The combination is to die for.

I think this cocktail would work well for a party. Quadruple the ingredients and mix them ahead in a pitcher. Keep said pitcher in the fridge. You could even rim your glasses in cinnamon sugar ahead. When it’s time to serve to a crowd, set the pitcher out with an ice bucket and have people go to town.

Can I be invited please?

Cinnamon Apple Cider Crush

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• Author: Molly
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings (with extra syrup) 1x

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Description

This cinnamon apple cider crush cocktail is a fall favorite! All the flavors of fall are in one glass: apple cider, citrus juices, and cinnamon! It’s cozy and refreshing at the same time.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cinnamon Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 cinnamon sticks

For the Cinnamon Sugar:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For Two Cocktails:

• Ice
• 1/4 cup cinnamon simple syrup
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup vodka
• Juice of 1 orange (roughly 1/3 cup)
• Juice of 1 grapefruit (roughly 1/2 cup)
• Orange or grapefruit slices, for optional garnish
• Apple slices, for optional garnish

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Instructions

For the Cinnamon Syrup:

1. Bring the sugar and water to a simmer in a saucepan. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring gently, or until all the sugar dissolves.
2. Add in the cinnamon sticks and remove the pan from the heat. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature. The cinnamon sticks will steep in the syrup as it cools.
3. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and use as needed. Syrup will keep in the fridge for about a week.

For the Cinnamon Sugar:

Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and place on a plate or in a shallow bowl.

For the Cocktails:

1. Moisten the rims of the glasses with an orange slice and then dip in the cinnamon sugar to coat the rims.
2. Fill the glasses with ice and set aside.
3. To a shaker filled with ice, add the cinnamon simple syrup, apple cider, vodka, and the citrus juices. Shake vigorously for a few seconds to chill and mix the ingredients.
4. Pour the mixture over the ice in the glasses, garnish as desired, and serve immediately. I like my glass to have both apple and orange slices and a tiny sprinkling of ground cinnamon. So pretty!

Notes

If a nonalcoholic version is preferred, simply omit the vodka and add a bit more apple cider to the mix.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: cocktail