Hot Apple Pie Cocktail

Hot Apple Pie cocktail is one of my favorite cool-weather drinks! Lightly spiced and sweetened hot apple cider, served with a shot of Calvados and freshly whipped cream.

What is a Hot Apple Pie Cocktail?

This cocktail recipe for Hot Apple Pie, is one of the specialty drinks that we served at a restaurant I worked at in the mid-80s. It was only available during the fall and winter months. It’s the most delicious hot apple cider cocktail! It’s like a slice of apple pie in a mug! In addition to apple cider, the bartender stirred in a mixture of brown sugar and spices and then serve it with a shot of Calvados on the side. (This post was originally published on September 18th, 2013 and has been updated to contain nutritional information. As an Amazon Affiliate, I receive commission on qualifying purchases)

What is Calvados?

Calvados is a liqueur made from apples and sometimes pears. When the apple cider is distilled once, it contains 28%-30% alcohol. When twice distilled, it’s about 40% alcohol. The origin of Calvados is the province of Normandy. French dishes with apples are referred to as “a la Normande”. The French, follow strict guidelines when it comes to naming French products. The Appellation d’origine contrôlée, or AOC, ensures that the production comes from a certain region and contains a certain percentage of apples from Normandy. (wikipedia) One of my favorite autumn dishes using Calvados and apples is Porc a la Normande.

Do you have to use Calvados in a Hot Apple Pie?

This is the recipe and method our restaurant used to serve their hot apple cider cocktail. I have seen other recipes which use Tuaca, bourbon, brandy, or rum. In addition to Calvados and Grand Marnier, brandy is one of my favorite liqueurs to have on hand to make a quick pan sauce.

Can you make a Hot Apple Pie without alcohol?

Yes! I made this for my girls when they were younger and just omitted the alcohol. Stir in some of the brown sugar spice mixture into hot apple cider and top with fresh whipped cream.

Can you make a larger batch of Hot Apple Pie for a party?

If you choose to make Hot Apple Pie cocktails for a party, you can double or triple the recipe. Mix the brown sugar and spice mixture into the hot cider and serve in a heat-proof thermos or jug. Top with shot of Calvados just before serving.

Autumn, my favorite season by far! Maybe it’s the snap of the cool, crisp air or the scent of wood burning fires that quickens my step and livens my spirit! If I had my way, I’d fling open every window and door in the house and let in Autumn! This hot apple cider cocktail just feels like autumn.

You can find heat-proof mugs like the ones I used in this post at my Amazon Affiliate Store.

Hot Apple Pie cocktail

Cynthia

Hot apple cider with brown sugar and apple pie spices. Spiked with a shot of Calvados

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Beverage, Cocktail

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 291 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 24 ounces Apple cider or juice
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 teaspoons light brown sugar (can substitute brown sugar swerve for lower sugar)
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• pinch ground cloves
• 4 ounces Calvados (1 ounce or shot per person)
• 8 Tablespoons whipped cream

Instructions

 

• Soften butter. Add brown sugar and spices, blend well.
• Heat apple cider or juice in a small sauce pan until very hot.
• In each mug, add 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar and spice mixture. Pour hot cider into each mug.
• Top with shot of Calvados,(Tuaca or brandy) and freshly whipped cream

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 11mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 412IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!