Bourbon Apple Hot Toddy

Anyone else feel like this has been a particularly jam-packed holiday season so far? At this point I think we could all appreciate a festive cocktail!

This warm, rich, tasty adult beverage is perfect for Christmas Eve and, in my opinion, every day leading up to it. I’ve added a snowcap of (unsweetened) whipped cream for extra lusciousness but it’s equally tasty garnished with a cinnamon stick, or if you’re vegan/dairy-free, topped with whipped coconut cream.

Tip- Use fresh pressed apple cider or juice here; the kind you find in the refrigerated section of good supermarkets. It is generally unfiltered so might appear a bit cloudy but has so much more flavor and tends to be less sweet than shelf-stable versions.

Bourbon Apple Hot Toddy

Serves 2

3 cups fresh-pressed apple juice/cider

1 TB light brown sugar (or coconut sugar) or omit if your juice is very sweet

A few gratings of fresh nutmeg

2, 1-inch pieces of orange zet

3 oz best quality bourbon

1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks

1- Combine the apple cider/juice, brown sugar, nutmeg, and orange zest in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

2- Divide among heat-proof mugs, stir in a ‘glug’ of bourbon and a few dollops of freshly whipped cream. Curl up by a fire somewhere… and enjoy!