This Cold Curing Apple Cider made with red hots candies is inspired by the cold-curing potion from the wizarding world. This mulled cider drink is best served warm, but you can also chill it and serve it over ice. And, it makes a delicious cocktail with the addition of a shot of vodka or Fireball.
This mulled spiced apple cider recipe comes from The Unofficial Hogwarts Cocktail Book. I was given a copy of this book for review by the publisher but all thoughts are my own.
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The ultimate cold buster drink
I just love this warm night time sipper. It smells like Christmas as it cooks, and it makes the whole house warm and cozy.
It would be a great mocktail to drink with the kids as you decorate the tree or as you open presents on Christmas morning.
I don’t drink alcohol anymore, and sometimes it’s really difficult to find fun drinks that aren’t filled with sugar or carbonation. This mulled cider drink fits my current drink requirements.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and joyous. Fa la la
Red Hots candy
This section contains affiliate links (partly so you can see examples of the food if you want).
Cinnamon red hots, or you might also see them called Cinnamon Imperials, or just cinnamon hard candy are small round hard candies with lots of cinnamon flavor. And they feel kinda spicy as you eat them.
They are usually fairly inexpensive, which makes this a budget friendly drink to serve at parties.
They’ll probably come in a bag or box with more candies than you need for this recipe.
Besides simply eating them straight, you can use the rest of them to decorate Crescent Wreaths, Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Trees, or Petri Dish Treats at Halloween .
Cold and flu relief tonic
This homemade tonic recipe is great to keep you warm and cozy all winter long.
And, it may help give you relief from a cold.
Staying hydrated is a great natural cold cure. And this delicious apple cider drink will you stay hydrated.
Also be sure to get lots of rest.
If you’re looking for other natural cold cures, you may want to try my cinnamon sore throat tea and Honey Lemon Cold & Flu Remedy Drink.
The Unofficial Hogwarts Cocktail Book
The {affiliate link} Unofficial Hogwarts Cocktail Book: Spellbinding Spritzes, Fantastical Old Fashioneds, Magical Margaritas, and More Enchanting Recipes is a book that every Harry Potter fan will want to own! It would also make a great gift for the wizard-lover in your life!
What better way to celebrate your love of Hogwarts and its host of beloved characters than by bringing out your potions cauldron (or cocktail shaker) and mixing up a host of spectacular cocktails?
I found this little book to be really fun with several recipes I’ve marked to try. From the old spooky looking hardbound cover to the beautiful cocktail pictures inside, this book kept me spellbound while I browsed each page.
I can’t wait to try the Chocolate peppermint wand hot chocolate (you know how I love peppermint)! And the Euphoric Fig Elixir sounds exotic and delicious.
I’m a fan of Harry Potter, and have some of my own recipes that you’ll love.
Other great Harry Potter inspired recipes that would be great to serve at a Harry Potter themed party Witches Brooms and Wizard Wands.
Remember to grab your copy of this fun book. You’ll really want it again around Halloween time next year!
How to make
This mocktail drink is super easy to make and so lovely to drink.
Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and instructions.
Pour the apple cider and cinnamon candies in a 6-quart or larger pot.
Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the candies have melted and the cider has turned red, around 20-30 minutes (some of the time will depend on how big your candies are). Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
Tip: you don’t want the liquid to come to a boil because it will start to reduce. Then you will end up with syrup instead of mulled cider.
Now, I suppose that cinnamon syrup would be delicious in drinks or even poured over roasted carrots or over a Sunday roast, but that isn’t the recipe we’re going for here.
Once the candies have melted, ladle the drink into mugs and add a cinnamon stick as garnish if desired.
This cold busting drink is best served warm. Keep it warm on the stove over low heat, or place it in a crock pot for serving at a party and keep the slow cooker on low or warm setting.
Serving suggestions
Top it with some whipped cream if desired as well!
You can also chill it and serve it over ice.
It makes a delicious cocktail with a sugared rim on the glass and the addition of a shot of vodka or Fireball.
Tip: for storage of leftovers, allow the cider to cool completely, then use a funnel and pour it back into the original juice jug and keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
Reheat it by the mug in the microwave!
Once the Mulled Apple Cider is made you can freeze the liquid so you can just defrost it when needed.
The liquid will expand a bit when frozen so be sure to leave extra space in the container before freezing.
Or, you can freeze it in ice cube trays and pop the frozen cubes in zip top bags for easy storage.
Keep it in the freezer for a couple of months.
The drink will likely need a good stir when reheating in case there’s any separation. It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove top.
What kind of apple cider should I use?
This drink is based on a non-alcoholic apple cider, not a hard cider with alcohol.
If you live in the Southern California area, I highly recommend a trip to Oak Glen for some fresh pressed cider! It’s delicious, and a really fun family outing.
Your grocery store may also sell fresh pressed cider refrigerated in the produce section or the diary aisle.
Keep in mind that apple cider can vary in sweetness. A good quality no sugar added apple cider is best for this drink.
If you find it’s too sweet, you can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to add some tart flavor.
Cold Curing Apple Cider Cocktail
This also makes a really fun cocktail for holiday parties. And it would be great for a New Years’ Eve party!
Simply make the beverage and allow it to cool completely. Add some to a cocktail shaker with ice and a shot of alcohol, and shaker.
Pour it into a martini glass or highball glass with a sugared rim and enjoy.
Use your favorite booze here. I’d recommend:
- Vodka
- Fireball
- Bourbon
- Dark rum
- Spiced rum
- Or whatever your favorite is!
Cold Curing Apple Cider Recipe
Cold Curing Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 64 ounces apple cider
- ½ cup red hots candies
- 8 cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider and red hots candies in a 6-quart or larger pot. Warm over medium heat, stirring the mixture occasionally until the candies have melted and the cider has turned red, around 20-30 minutes. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
- Tip: you don’t want the liquid to come to a boil because it will start to reduce. Then you will end up with syrup instead of mulled cider.
- Ladle the drink into mugs and add a cinnamon stick as garnish if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
