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Warm up with the cozy, spiced comfort of a apple cider fireball hot toddy, a drink that blends the flavors of fall in every sip. This grown-up twist on a traditional hot toddy combines unfiltered apple cider, Fireball cinnamon whisky and smooth butterscotch schnapps. Add a festive touch with a toffee rim and a garnish of apple, lemon and star anise. It’s perfect for holiday parties, cold evenings or whenever you want something warm and sweet with a bit of kick.
Apple cider fireball hot toddy blends warm cider, cinnamon whisky and butterscotch schnapps for a cozy, spiced cocktail with plenty of fantastic fall flavor.
If you enjoy this tasty drink, also try bourbon peach ice cream, boozy salted peanut hot chocolate or a classic old-fashioned cocktail with bourbon.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect for fall: The apple, cinnamon and spice combo is a seasonal classic.
Boozy and cozy: It’s warm, smooth and gently spiked for chilly nights.
Easy to make: Just heat the cider, mix and garnish.
Beautiful presentation: Garnishes make it feel festive and fun.
Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Apple cider: Unfiltered cider gives deep apple flavor and body to the drink.
Cinnamon sticks: Infuse the cider with gentle warmth and spice.
Ground nutmeg: Adds earthy, aromatic depth to the cider.
Lemon: Fresh slices brighten the mix and balance the sweetness.
Butterscotch schnapps: Brings toffee flavor and smooth sweetness.
Cinnamon whisky: Fireball adds heat and bold cinnamon character.
Toffee bits: Optional, used to coat the rim for texture and extra sweetness.
Garnishes: Apple slice, lemon slice, star anise, and a cinnamon stick finish the drink with flair.
How to Make Apple Cider Hot Toddies with Fireball Whiskey
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the cider: Simmer apple cider with cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon to infuse flavor.
Rim the mug: Rub with lemon wedge and dip into crushed toffee bits, if using.
Assemble the drink: Add schnapps, whisky and spiced cider to the mug.
Garnish and serve: Top with apple, lemon, cinnamon stick and star anise.
Substitutions and Variations
Use plain whisky: If you don’t have Fireball, regular whisky with a pinch of cinnamon works.
No toffee bits? You can skip the rim or use crushed hard candies instead.
Try caramel liqueur: Swap butterscotch schnapps for caramel vodka or liqueur.
Make it non-alcoholic: Skip the butterscotch liqueur and cinnamon whiskey and just use spiced cider with the garnishes for an alcohol-free version.
Serving Suggestions
With a snack: Enjoy slow cooker buffalo wings, arancini or smoked bacon cheddar bacon dip with your hot toddy.
After dinner: This is a delicious drink to serve after any kind of meal, from seafood bisque with homemade soda bread to Cajun chicken with sweet potatoes.
How to Store Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing as that would mute the flavors.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Don’t boil the cider: Simmer gently to avoid losing flavor and moisture.
Rim right before serving: The toffee bits stick best to a freshly moistened rim.
Use heat-proof mugs: This drink is best served piping hot in sturdy glass or ceramic.
Freshly crushed toffee: After dipping your lemon-swiped rims into the crushed toffee, you won’t be able to save it for later. Any moisture introduced to the toffee will make it stick together and harden over time, so begin with freshly crushed toffee bits for each batch of cocktails you make.
Hot Toddy with Apple Cider FAQs
Yes, store it in the fridge and reheat before serving.
Absolutely, just scale up the cider and spirits and serve in batches.
Toffee Apple Cider Fireball Hot Toddy Recipe
Apple Cider Fireball Hot Toddy
Ingredients
For Spiced Cider (Makes Enough for 6 Drinks)
- 8 Cups apple cider, unfiltered
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- ¼ Teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 lemon, sliced
For Optional Rim
- ½ Cup toffee bits
- 1 Wedge lemon
For Each Toffee Apple Hot Toddy
- 1 Ounce butterscotch schnapps, I used DeKuyper’s Buttershots
- 2 Ounces cinnamon whiskey, I used Fireball
- 8 Ounces spiced cider, recipe above
For Garnish
- 1 Slice apple
- 1 Slice lemon
- 1 star anise
- 1 Stick cinnamon
Instructions
Make the Spiced Cider
- To a large pot over medium heat, add apple cider, sliced lemons, cinnamon sticks, and ground nutmeg.
- Stir and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. The cider will reduce by about 2 cups while taking on the lemon, cinnamon and nutmeg flavors.
- Remove from heat. This is enough for 6 hot toddies.
For Toffee Apple Hot Toddy
- Prepare a large, heat-proof mug by swiping a lemon wedge around its rim, wetting it slightly. Dip the damp rim into the finely-crushed toffee bits, making them stick.
- To the prepared mug, add butterscotch liqueur, cinnamon whisky and spiced cider.
- Garnish with a slice of apple, a slice of lemon, a star anise pod, and a cinnamon stick, and serve hot.
Notes
Rim right before serving: The toffee bits stick best to a freshly moistened rim.
Use heat-proof mugs: This drink is best served piping hot in sturdy glass or ceramic.
Freshly crushed toffee: After dipping your lemon-swiped rims into the crushed toffee, you won’t be able to save it for later. Any moisture introduced to the toffee will make it stick together and harden over time, so begin with freshly crushed toffee bits for each batch of cocktails you make.
Nutrition
Apple cider fireball hot toddy is the ultimate cozy drink for fall and winter nights. With a rich blend of spiced cider, cinnamon whisky and smooth butterscotch schnapps, it’s warm, comforting and easy to prepare. Serve it at parties or make a single mug to enjoy while curled up at home. The fragrant garnishes and toffee rim on this apple Fireball toddy make it feel extra special, even though it comes together in just a few simple steps.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
That toffee apple cider hot toddy is incredible! It’s my go-to drink for fall nights!
This was so good! We enjoyed it after a swim party!
Nearly too pretty to drink but they tasted so good! Not a drop was left 🙂
This is my kind of drink! YUM!