Hot Fireball Apple Cider Toddy

Name: Hot Fireball Apple Cider
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup hot apple cider; 2 oz Fireball Whiskey; Cinnamon Sticks

Fireball Apple Cider is a hot toddy made with Fireball Whisky and fresh apple cider - the one I make every single time the weather turns. It'll have you toasty and warm on even the chilliest fall or winter evening. It's my go-to drink for when the apples are in season and fresh cider is abundant at the orchard.

I love this one by the firepit, catching up with friends and staying warm with a mug in hand. It's just as good on Christmas Eve, with the family gathered by the fireplace and music in the background.

Quick Summary:

The ratio I use for Fireball and apple cider, so it's warm and spiced without being boozy.
The mistakes that make this drink too sweet or too harsh, and how to skip them.
How to make a big batch for a crowd, so you're not mixing individual mugs all night.

A mug of hot fireball apple cider in a Princess house glas smug with two cinnamon sticks lying across the top of the glass.

Inspiration

The first time I tried a Fireball Apple Cider, I was celebrating my birthday at a Harvest Moon Dinner at Windham Mountain in New York. I celebrated in style by taking a chairlift to the mountaintop for appetizers and drinks.

The group was served a charcuterie board along with libations of choice. It was quite chilly, so to warm up, my choice for the evening was a spiked apple cider made with Fireball Whisky. Ever since then, when the evenings start to cool down and fall is on the horizon, I am ready to warm up with this warm spiked drink!

A bottle of Fireball Whisky, just of fresh apple cider, and an empty glass mug.

What is a Hot Toddy

A classic hot toddy is usually whiskey, hot water, honey, and lemon - the drink people reach for when they're fighting a cold or just want something warm before bed. It's been a cold-weather standby for centuries.

This Fireball Apple Cider is my spin on it - Fireball instead of plain whiskey, hot apple cider instead of hot water. Some people call it hot Fireball cider, others call it a Fireball hot toddy. Same drink either way, and it leans sweeter than a classic toddy because of the cinnamon in the Fireball.

If you love cinnamon, you're going to love this one.

Pouring a shot of fireball whisky into the hot apple cider.

Ingredients

The recipe is straightforward! It can be made single serving, or in a batch for gatherings. It is easy to warm up a cup of apple cider and spike it with a shot of Fireball Whisky. The microwave is our best friend on cold winter nights!

Apple Cider: There is a difference in apple cider. If you can buy it from a local orchard, that is the best way to buy it. The cider in the grocery store, unless it's in season and is directly from a local orchard, is not the same. However, it will work when you have no other choice.

Fireball Whisky: This cinnamon flavored whiskey is sweet, spicy, and has a warming kick.

Make Fireball Apple Cider for a Crowd

This scales up well for a party - Christmas Eve, a bonfire with friends, whatever the occasion calls for.

Pour a half gallon of apple cider into your slow cooker on low. Tie up 3-4 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, and 2 star anise in a piece of cheesecloth and drop it in, so you're not fishing spices out of the cider later. Let it heat and steep for about 2 hours.

When you're ready to serve, ladle the warm cider into mugs and let everyone stir in their own shot of Fireball - that way you can go stronger or lighter depending on who's drinking. A half gallon of cider makes about 8 servings.

Garnish with a fresh apple slice and a cinnamon stick and you're set.

A crystal mug full of a light brown drink.

Variations

Serve the spiked apple cider with some fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks as a garnish.
Mix a shot of Fireball Whisky into a mug of my White Spiced Hot Chocolate instead of the apple cider.
Substitute Spiced Caramel Cider for the apple cider.
Serve Fireball Apple Cider cold with a splash of ginger ale and a cinnamon sugar rim.
Want to make it non-alcoholic? Warm the cider the same way and stir in cinnamon whiskey flavored syrup (the kind sold near the coffee syrups) instead of the Fireball. You still get the cinnamon kick without the alcohol.

Fireball Whisky Desserts

That charcuterie board on the mountain is still my go-to pairing - cheese and cured meats work well against the sweetness here. If you want something sweet on the side instead, these hit the same cinnamon-whiskey note:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fireball and apple cider called?

There's no single official name. You'll see it called Fireball apple cider, a Fireball hot toddy, or hot Fireball cider. It's the same drink either way.

What are the ingredients for Fireball Apple Cider?

Just two: hot apple cider and Fireball whisky, with a cinnamon stick for garnish. No juice, no mixers, nothing else needed.

Can I make this for a party?

Yes. Warm a big batch in the slow cooker (see Make Fireball Apple Cider for a Crowd above) and let guests add their own shot of Fireball when they're ready to drink it, so it doesn't sit around losing its kick.

What else mixes well with Fireball?

Anything warm and a little sweet - hot chocolate, mulled cider, even coffee. A few of those are linked above if you want to try something different.

More Spiked Hot Drink Recipes

This Boozy Hot Chocolate is made with chocolate candy, coffee, and Irish Cream liquor.

This Boozy Sipping Chocolate is made with a variety of liquors and creamy coconut milk!

I love a mug of this Irish Coffee on a chilly afternoon with a good book and a blanket.

I am a big almond coffee drinker and this spiked Almond Coffee Cream is one of my favorites.

Close up image of a shot glass filled with whisky.

When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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