sweater weather buttered bourbon cider
A big sweater, a hot drink, and a chilly autumn night, with a warm blaze aglow and gentle jazz on the speakers.
That embodies fall, ya’ll.
Happy Friday, good people. We made it! Another week in the books calls for a celebratory sip, and a cozy one at that. I don’t oft consider hot cocktails but this time, with temperatures finally mellowing (ever so slightly) and October pushing September to the backburner, a comforting glass to heat the palms sounded like a swell plan.
I’ve played with buttered booze prior: it’s rich and soothing and you’d be hard press to swipe a little smile of contentedness off your lips from first sip. Our Sweater Weather Buttered Bourbon Cider is just as sweet and delightful as you can imagine.
Served up with whipped cream and a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce, you’re bound to dream of a mountainside cabin and multihued leaves even if you only see palm trees and mosquitos. A little daydream hurts no one, right?
All Bundled Up
The primary flavor component of our friend today is a homemade spiced butter. Honestly, I’d eat this shit on toast, too, and unless you’re serving several cocktails you’ll definitely have some of the butter left over for such a purpose.
To make, simply whip together softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Scoop a tablespoon or two into your favorite heat-proof mug or glass. Top with your bourbon.
In a saucepan, warm your apple cider until just before boiling. If it starts to bubble it will scald (and take forever to cool down enough to enjoy), so keep an eye on it.
Pour the cider over your bourbon and butter and stir vigorously. The butter will melt, but some separation from the spice granules is normal! So don’t be alarmed if specks come afloating to the top.
Finish with a generous blob of whipped cream and some caramel sauce. A touch of cinnamon is a good idea, too, and a star anise always looks pretty.
Hope you’ve got some fun plans for your weekend, and if not, perhaps a moment or two to yourself to indulge in whatever sounds relaxing or fulfilling. And if not, you probably have kids, and I feel sorry for you. Godspeed.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a rating and comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
Put that big jug o’ cider to good use:
Sparkling Cranberry Cider Tequila Punch
sweater weather buttered bourbon cider
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1-2 tbsp spiced butter (recipe below)
- whipped cream and caramel sauce, to garnish
spiced butter
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp cloves
Instructions
- In a bowl, whip together the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and spices until thoroughly combined. Any leftover can be stored, sealed, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- In a heat-proof mug or cocktail glass, measure in the spiced butter and bourbon.
- In a small saucepot, warm the apple cider until just before boiling. Pour over the bourbon and spiced butter and stir until the butter melts. The spices will not fully dissolve since the liquid isn't hot enough to do that, so they will rise to the top of your mug. Just so ya know. Keep stirring!
- Top your drink with freshly whipped cream and caramel sauce, as desired.
