Warm Up With a Soothing Hot Apple Toddy (2024)

• Apple cider can be gently warmed in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave. You want it nice and steamy, but not so hot so it burns your tongue or ruins the liquor's flavor.
• Warming up the glass or mug ensures your toddy stays warm longer. To do so, simply fill it with hot water while you heat up the cider or put a water-filled glass in the microwave for 5 or 10 seconds. Dump out the water before mixing the drink.
• Adjust the amount of apple cider to your liking. For a lighter, fruitier drink, add more cider.

You might also enjoy the hot baked apple toddy. It comes from "The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book," which was first published in 1934 and is a treasure trove of classic co*cktail recipes. This toddy gets the apple flavor by pairing a freshly baked apple with apple whiskey,though apple brandy is a fine substitute. While there's no need for cider, you can certainly use it if you like.

• To make this toddy, place 1/4 of a baked apple in the bottom of a warm Irish coffee glass. Coat it with 1 teaspoon honey and add 2 ounces of apple whiskey. Stir the mix, fill the glass with hot water, then stir again. Garnish it with a cinnamon stick to give the flavor a little more depth.

Apple cider can be infused to create a spiced cider that's ready whenever you want to make the apple toddy or any other hot cider drink. You can even use regular apple juice.

• To infuse cider, place 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 whole star anise, and 5 to 6 whole cloves and allspice in a large jar. Add a few fresh apple or pear slices if you like. Fill the jar with apple cider or juice, secure the lid, and give it a good shake.
• Store the infusion in the refrigerator for four to five days, shaking it once a day. Taste it to see if the flavor is to your liking. Once it is, strain out the spices and fruit and bottle the cider. If you'd like a more intense flavor, continue the infusion and check it once a day.
• Keep your infused cider in the refrigerator under a tight seal. It will have the same shelf life as regular cider and can quickly be warmed up for a hot drink, with no need for additional spices.

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