Red Hot Apple Cider tastes like a cinnamon spiced candy apple you can sip! Melt a full box of Red Hots into fresh apple cider to create a sweet and intensely cinnamon-y fiery fall drink. And for the adults, a splash of cinnamon whisky and whipped cream vodka makes it dangerously good!
Your new favorite fall drink is just 2 ingredients!
I grew up drinking this cinnamon spiced apple cider on cold Sundays after church, usually with a donut in one hand and a warm cup in the other. My grandma always made enough for a crowd and yet somehow we still always ran out! I still make it every fall and Christmas, only now I sometimes add the grown-up twist.
I’ve included instructions below for both stovetop and crockpot methods, so you can easily make it however you best see fit. I love tossing everything in the crockpot for parties and holidays so it stays warm the whole time!
— ♥︎ Jess —
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Apple Cider – I try to use the good fresh kind. Look for the cloudy cider in the refrigerated section, usually near the produce. It’s tangier and has more apple flavor than the shelf-stable options.
- Red Hots – One 5.5 oz box is what you’ll need! That’s the movie theater box you’ll usually find in the candy aisle.
- Optional Garnishes – I love to serve ours with whipped cream and cinnamon on top, but it really is just as delicious all on its own.
Make It Boozy
I like to add 1 oz of cinnamon whisky and 1 oz of whipped cream or vanilla vodka to each glass before I add the apple cider. You can use just cinnamon whisky or a creamy vodka, but I find the combination really pairs perfectly to create a very balanced apple cider cocktail.
How To Make Red Hot Apple Cider
Visit the recipe card below for the ingredient amounts and full directions.
Simmer the cider. Pour the apple cider into a large pot. Heat it over medium-high until you see steam and small bubbles around the edges.
Add the Red Hots. Pour the whole box into the pot and give it a good stir. The cider will turn red almost right away.
Stir until melted. Keep it at a simmer and stir often for about 5 minutes. It’s ready when you can’t see any more candy at the bottom of the pot.
Jessica’s Tips
- Get the cider simmering first. Red Hots melt in about 5 minutes in hot cider. If you add them to a cold pot, they’ll sink to the bottom while everything heats up.
- Stir often and scrape the bottom. Melting candy likes to stick. I use a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula so I can feel the bottom of the pot as I stir.
- Simmer, but don’t boil. A hard boil cooks off the cider and leaves you with a sweeter, more syrupy drink. Small bubbles are all you need.
- Don’t go by the color. The cider will turn red long before the candy’s fully melted. Drag your spoon across the bottom of the pot. Once it feels smooth, you’re good to go.
- Do not swap in Hot Tamales! They have a gummy texture that won’t melt down the same as Red Hots.
Storing and Reheating
Let the cider cool, then pour it into a jar with a tight lid. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Fresh cider settles as it sits, so give it a good stir or shake before you pour.
To reheat, just warm it in a pot over medium-low heat until it’s steaming. Or, microwave a single mug for a minute or so. For a party, I recommend keeping it warm in a crockpot set to warm!
Red Hot Apple Cider
Ingredients
- ½ gallon fresh apple cider, the cloudy kind that's usually refrigerated
- 1 (5.5 oz) box Red Hots, use less for less cinnamon-y heat
Optional Garnishes
- whipped cream
- cinnamon
Make It Boozy
- 2 oz (per glass) cinnamon whisky or vanilla/whipped cream vodka, or a combination of both!
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Instructions
Stovetop:
- Pour the apple cider into a large pot. Bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Add the Red Hots. Simmer, stirring often, until the Red Hots are fully melted, about 5 minutes.
- Ladle into mugs. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired. For a cocktail, stir the cinnamon whisky and/or whipped cream vodka into each mug.
Crockpot:
- Add the apple cider and Red Hots to a crockpot.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the Red Hots are fully melted.
- Serve as desired, or switch the crockpot to warm for a party.
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More Of My Favorite Fall Drinks
- Pumpkin Espresso Martini – Everything you love about a PSL with a boozy kick!
- Apple Cider Punch – Perfect for all of your fall parties or big holiday gatherings.
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Apple Cider – The perfect balance of warm pumpkin and apple flavors!
- Pumpkin Coquito – Thick and creamy with just enough rum.
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