For my mother in law’s 75th Birthday Party, we set up a Hot Apple Cider Bar for the guests to enjoy. Since the party fell on a Sunday afternoon, I didn’t want to make a signature cocktail. I did, however, want to have an option for a cocktail, if guests wanted that. Apple Cider was a perfect choice because guests could help themselves to it and could even add a little Bourbon, if they were craving an adult beverage. If you’ve never had Bourbon in your Apple Cider, now’s the time to try it! Many guests commented on how the delicious the Bourbon tasted in the apple cider!
In addition to Apple Cider, we set out many add-in options. The add-ins included: caramel sauce, whipped topping, ground cinnamon, cranberry juice, and Bourbon. The guests enjoyed the many choices they had for their drinks. I also placed a customized Apple Cider Bar sign on the bar.
Our apple cider drinks were simply served in white paper cups from Oriental Trading. I printed party circles on label paper and punched them out to use as stickers for the cups. Making the party circles into stickers is a great way to incorporate party circles, especially if you are not going to be using cupcake toppers.
I purchased wooden stir sticks online and painted the wooden balls gold. They were placed in a painted mason jar for guests to use to stir their Apple Cider.
The bar was set up on our built in bar, located in another room than the food. Whenever we host a party, I always try to set up the drinks in a separate room. That keeps the bar and food tables from getting too clogged. In addition to the Apple Cider, we also served water and citrus water for those guests who didn’t want Apple Cider.
Hot Apple Cider
1 gallon apple juice
2 oranges (cut into quarters)
12 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon ground allspice
cheesecloth
Pour apple juice into large pot. Bring to a boil. Place oranges, cloves, and cinnamon sticks into cheesecloth. Tie into a bundle. Place bundle into apple juice. Add allspice to a cider. Reduce heat to a simmer, for 20 minutes. Remove spice bundle.
Serve with your choice of add-ins:
Bourbon
Cranberry Juice
Ground Cinnamon
Whipped Topping
Caramel Syrup
Or let me know if you have any other great ideas for add-ins!!
Instead of using wooden swizzle sticks, use cinnamon flavored candy sticks. Also, let the cider “mull” in a slow cooker instead of putting on the stove. YUM.
Great ideas, Gayle!!! I love the cinnamon candy stick idea – I am definitely going to add that option next time! A crock pot would work great, too!
Hi Deanna!
Great party! I am having a christmas party and would love to have the hot apple cider bar. What did you use to serve the hot apple cider? I’m afraid to use glass for fear of cracking, but don’t want it to get cold.
Thanks and can’t wait to see your next party! I need some Christmas party ideas (hint, hint)
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
I actually did serve it in one those large glass drink dispensers. I had it on the stove, then turned it off and waited about 20-30 minutes before pouring it in there. It was still pretty hot and took a long time for it to cool off.
Hope you and your boys are doing great!!!
Deanna