Spirited hot apple punch is a warm, flavorful beverage that typically includes apple cider, spices, and alcohol, such as brandy or rum. The ingredients are heated together in a large pot or slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld and infuse into the drink. This hot punch is great for cold winter days, fall evenings and holiday entertaining. For best visual appeal, use an assortment of crisp apples in this drink. If you’re looking for delicious drinks to spice up the holiday season this easy recipe will be your friend!
The taste of spirited hot apple punch is rich, comforting, and slightly sweet. The apple cider provides a fruity, tangy base, while the spices – typically cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg – add warmth and complexity to the flavor profile. The alcohol provides a pleasant warming sensation and a subtle kick, but the amount can be adjusted to personal preference. Overall, spirited hot apple punch is a cozy and delicious drink that is perfect for chilly days or winter evenings and will become one of your favorite adult drinks!
More about this hot apple cider punch recipe
The best apples to use for this delicious apple punch apple punch are those that are flavorful, juicy, and slightly tart. Here are some apple varieties that work well for this drink:
- Honeycrisp apples are juicy and sweet, with a slightly tart flavor. It’s a great choice for hot apple punch because it adds natural sweetness and a pleasant apple flavor.
- Granny Smith, which are green apples, are tart and firm. They’re a good choice for hot apple punch because they add a tangy, slightly sour flavor that complements the sweetness of the cider.
- Jonagold: These apples have a sweet and tangy flavor, with a crisp texture. They’re a good all-purpose apple that works well in a variety of recipes, including hot apple punch.
- Gala: These red apples are sweet and juicy, with a slightly floral flavor. They’re a good choice for hot apple punch because they add natural sweetness and a delicate apple flavor.
- Braeburn: These apples are firm and tart, with a spicy, sweet flavor. They’re a good choice for hot apple punch because they add a complex, rich flavor to the drink.
In general, any apple variety that is good for baking or cooking will work well in hot apple punch. Look for apples that are firm and flavorful, and avoid those that are mealy or mushy.
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Ingredients
- 4 cups apple juice
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 oranges, sliced 1/4” thick
- 3 assorted fresh apples, cored and sliced into wedges
- 1 cup dark rum (optional)
Equipment
- Large saucepan or large pan
- Cutting board and knife
- Large punch bowl
Instructions
- Place apple juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange slices, and apples in a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it simmer 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in dark rum, if using. Serve immediately and garnish with extra apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!
Cooking Tips
Be careful not to boil the mixture, as this can cause the spices to become bitter. You can also adjust the amount of alcohol to your liking or omit it entirely for a non-alcoholic version.
Serving, Plating and Garnishing
For the best way to serve this adult beverage, you will need a large pot or slow cooker to keep the drink warm. Here are the steps to serve this drink:
- Pour the hot apple punch into heat-safe punch bowls or slow cooker.
- If you added alcohol to the punch, you can also set out a separate bowl or pitcher of alcohol for guests to add to their drinks as desired.
- Provide guests with your favorite mugs or heat-safe glasses to serve the punch in.
- If desired, garnish the punch with thin slices of fresh apple or cinnamon sticks.
- Place a ladle and stirring spoon next to the punch bowl or slow cooker, so guests can serve themselves.
- Encourage guests to serve themselves and enjoy the warm and cozy drink!
Remember to be careful when handling hot liquids and to make sure the punch is not too hot before serving it to guests.
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Spirited Hot Apple Punch
Spirited hot apple punch is a warm, flavorful beverage that typically includes apple cider, spices, and alcohol, such as brandy or rum. The ingredients are heated together in a large pot or slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld and infuse into the drink. This hot punch is great for cold winter days, fall evenings and holiday entertaining. For best visual appeal, use an assortment of crisp apples in this drink. If you're looking for delicious drinks to spice up the holiday season this easy recipe will be your friend!
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple juice
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 oranges, sliced 1/4” thick
- 3 assorted fresh apples, cored and sliced into wedges
- 1 cup dark rum (optional)
Instructions
- Place apple juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange slices, and apples in a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it simmer 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in dark rum, if using. Serve immediately and garnish with extra apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!
Notes
Be careful not to boil the mixture, as this can cause the spices to become bitter. You can also adjust the amount of alcohol to your liking or omit it entirely for a non-alcoholic version.