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Warm up with this cozy Fireball Apple Cider recipe that’s perfect for chilly nights and fall gatherings. Made with hot apple cider, cinnamon whiskey, and festive garnishes, this quick drink brings the perfect mix of warmth and spice.
Apple Cider Fireball Cocktail
This Fireball and Apple Cider Cocktail is a cozy fall drink with a kick. It has a strong cinnamon flavor like a hot toddy, but with apple-forward sweetness and a festive feel. We love sipping it by the fire on cool nights or serving it in mugs at fall parties.
Ingredients Notes
- Hot apple cider – Use fresh cider or regular apple cider for the best flavor. Fresh cider is usually unfiltered with a bold apple taste, while regular cider is more processed but still works well.
- Fireball whiskey – Any cinnamon whiskey works here. For a sweeter twist, try cinnamon schnapps or cinnamon liqueur. You can also use spiced rum or vanilla vodka to change up the flavor.
- Cool apple cider – Can substitute with water or simple syrup if preferred.
- Cinnamon sugar – Store bought is fine, or mix ¼ cup white sugar with ½ teaspoon cinnamon to make your own.
- Red apple slices – Green apples can be used instead for a tart contrast.
- Cinnamon sticks – Use as garnish or stirring sticks.
- Whole star anise – Optional. Can be skipped or replaced with a small pinch of ground clove added to the cider.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Fireball Apple Cider
- Rim the glass: Pour cool apple cider onto a small plate. Dip the glass rim into the cider, then coat it with cinnamon sugar.
- Add Fireball: Pour Fireball whisky into the glass without disturbing the cinnamon sugar rim.
- Add hot cider: Pour hot apple cider directly into the glass. No need to stir, the drink will mix on its own.
- Garnish: Stack three apple slices on a cocktail pick and fan them out. Rest the pick on the rim of the glass. Add a cinnamon stick and a couple of whole star anise. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use taller cinnamon sticks so they sit above the drink and double as stirrers.
- Heat the cider using a microwave, stovetop, or tea kettle, whichever is easiest.
- Make your own cinnamon sugar and save the extra in a zip-top bag for next time.
- Add a shot of bourbon or spiced rum for a stronger drink.
- Serve over ice for a refreshing chilled version.
- Add a splash of ginger ale just before serving for a light fizz and extra spice.
- Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a richer, dessert-like twist.
Storage and Reheating
- Store: You can make the Fireball cider cocktail ahead of time (without garnishes) and refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot. Avoid boiling to preserve flavor and alcohol content.
- Freeze: Not recommended, as freezing may alter the flavor and texture due to the alcohol content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just replace the Fireball cinnamon whisky with a drop of cinnamon extract for a warm, kid-friendly version. You can also use cinnamon tea or a cinnamon stick steeped in hot apple cider for a similar cozy flavor. For an extra fun twist, drop a few Red Hots candy into the hot cider and let them melt.
Apple cider is usually unfiltered and has a deeper, more robust apple flavor. Apple juice is more processed, filtered, and tends to be sweeter. Fresh apple cider tastes best in this recipe, but juice will work in a pinch when fresh cider isn’t available or it’s not the fall season.
Each hot Fireball apple cider cocktail contains about 1 to 1.5 ounces of Fireball whiskey. You can adjust the amount to taste, depending on your preference and the size of your glass.
More Cozy Fall Recipes to Try
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Apple Cider Margarita
- Apple Cider Sangria
- Crockpot Hot Chocolate
- Apple Pie Cookies
- Caramel Apple Crisp Bites
- Pumpkin Pie Dip
If you’ve tried this Fireball Apple Cider Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.
Fireball Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 5 ounces Hot Apple Cider
- 2 ounces Fireball Whiskey
- 1 ounce Cool Apple Cider optional garnish
- Cinnamon Sugar optional garnish
- Red Apple Slices optional garnish
- Cinnamon Sticks optional garnish
- Whole Star Anise optional garnish
Instructions
- If garnishing the glass, pour about 1 ounce of cool apple cider onto a small plate and coat the rim of the glass.1 ounce Cool Apple Cider
- Place the cinnamon sugar on a clean plate and coat the wet rim of the glass in it.Cinnamon Sugar
- Pour the 2 ounces of Fireball into the glass, being careful to not wash the cinnamon sugar off the rim.2 ounces Fireball Whiskey
- Pour the 5 ounces of hot apple cider into the glass. The drink will mix itself.5 ounces Hot Apple Cider
- If continuing with the rest of the garnishes, place three thin stacked apple slices on the cocktail pick and fan them out. The top of the pick will rest in the front of the glass, a bit to the side.Red Apple Slices
- Place a cinnamon stick in the glass on the opposite side of where the apple fan sits and place a couple whole star anise in the glass. Serve and enjoy!Cinnamon Sticks, Whole Star Anise
Jenn’s Notes
- Store: Make ahead and refrigerate (without garnishes) in a sealed container for up to 5 days
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave—avoid boiling
- Freeze: Not recommended due to alcohol and flavor changes
- Use taller cinnamon sticks so they sit above the drink and double as stirrers
- Microwave, stovetop, or tea kettle all work for heating the cider—use whatever’s easiest
- Make your own cinnamon sugar and save the extra in a zip-top bag for next time
- Add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum for a stronger drink
- Serve chilled over ice for a cold version
