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Here’s the perfect perfect apple cider and whiskey pairing! This versatile cocktail can be served cold as a lowball drink with ice or warm as spiced cider with cinnamon and cloves.

If you’re looking for an easy cocktail for fall or winter, try apple cider and whiskey! These two ingredients go hand in hand, with spicy whiskey complementing the sweet-tart cider perfectly.

Though I’m a cocktail expert who loves shaking up fancy drinks, many times I’m looking for a simple two-ingredient pairing. This one pairs perfectly and you can drink it one hot or cold! Make it a lowball cocktail with big chunks of clear ice, or go for hot spiked cider spiced with cinnamon and cloves.

Ingredients you’ll need

Apple cider and whiskey are the ideal pairing for fall and winter cocktails. They work together cold as a lowball cocktail, or hot as spiked cider. Here are the basic ingredients:

Whiskey: You can use any type of whiskey, but I have some favorites I’ll share in a minute.
Apple cider: I like unfiltered cider best; it has a cloudy appearance since it contains the apple pulp and sediment
Spices: For the warm version, you’ll need whole cloves and cinnamon.
Garnishes: I like an orange wheel for the cold drink or cranberries for the hot version.

For your lowball cocktail, mix the whiskey and apple cider, add big chunks of clear ice, and top with an orange wheel.

Picking your whiskey

There are specific types of whiskey that pair best with cider in the lowball version of this cocktail. When you pair cold cider with whiskey, you’ll want that signature spicy burn on the finish.

The sweet flavor of bourbon can get lost unless you pair it with a complementary spirit like orange liqueur or vermouth. Here are a few notes on how each type of whiskey pairs with cider in this drink:

Rye whiskey pairs well with its signature spicy burn on the finish.
Blended Scotch is another great choice that balances well on the finish.
Tennessee whiskey and Canadian whisky, like Jack Daniels or Crown Royal, are great choices.
Bourbon works, though the flavor is less noticeable in the lowball drink. Try it in my Apple Cider Bourbon cocktail or the hot version!
Irish whiskey is very mellow. It works if you’re looking for something very easy to drink.
Fireball whisky is fantastic with cider. I like it in my Fireball and Apple Cider.

Make it hot

If you’re hosting a seasonal party, a batch of hot spiked apple cider is always a hit. This recipe is easiest to make as a 6-serving drink! Here’s what’s different:

Simmer 6 cups of apple cider with 1 cup whiskey, along with cinnamon and whole cloves.
Any type of whiskey works. Again, they’ll all have different flavor variations. If you’re looking to use bourbon, the warming flavor works best in the hot version of this drink.

Tips for buying cider

In all of my drinks with cider, I look for a few things:

Find unfiltered cider if you can. Unfiltered cider contains the pulp and sediment. Filtered is clear and light in color, basically like apple juice. Choose unfilteredfor the best flavor and color for cocktails.
Try to find pasteurized cider. Pasteurizing apple cider makes it more shelf-stable. Unpasteurized cider has a higher risk of bacteria, and can turn into hard cider or apple cider vinegar over time.

Apple Cider and Whiskey (Hot or Cold!)

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Apple cider and whiskey are an ideal cocktail pairing! Here’s how to mix them up as a lowball cocktail or as spiked hot cider.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Stirred
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

For the lowball cocktail (serves 1)

3 ounces* apple cider
1 ½ ounces whiskey (rye, blended Scotch, Tennessee, Canadian, bourbon, or Fireball)
Orange wheel
Ice, to serve (try clear ice!)

For the spiked hot cider (serves 6)

½ teaspoon whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
6 cups apple cider
1 cup whiskey

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

For the lowball cocktail

Stir together the apple cider and whiskey in a lowball glass.
Garnish with an orange wheel.

For the spiked hot cider

Combine the cloves, cinnamon sticks, and apple cider in a medium pot.
Warm over low heat for 30 minutes. Skim off any particulate that forms.
Stir in the whiskey.
If desired, garnish with orange slices and whole cranberries. Ladle into mugs and enjoy.

Notes

*To convert to ounces, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

Other apple cider cocktails to try

Got cider? There are so many ways to pair it with types of liquor to make tasty fall cocktails! Here are a few of my top choices:

Tequila: Apple Cider Margarita
Vodka: Apple Cider Martini or Apple Cider Mule
Champagne: Apple Cider Mimosa
Wine: Apple Cider Sangria

Apple Cider Margarita (Perfect for Fall!)

Apple Cider Cocktail

Apple Cider Sangria

Apple Cider Martini (A Fall Favorite!)

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These healthy fall dinner ideas feature the flavors of the season, like squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. From cozy chili to creamy lasagna, these recipes are great for weeknight meals and dinner parties!

Once the season starts, I can’t hold back on the fall food traditions. There’s the first chili of the season, then the first pumpkin cookies and pumpkin bread, moving on to soups, risottos, and more!

As a cookbook author who’s made hundreds of fall recipes, I’ve compiled my list of all the best cozy fall dinner ideas perfect for the produce of the season! You won’t want to let the season go by without trying a few of these tasty and healthy fall dinner recipes.

My best fall dinner ideas and recipes

Butternut Squash Lasagna with Sage

This butternut squash lasagna has become one of my favorite fall dinners to serve a crowd. The layers of creamy ricotta and Pecorino Romano melt into the tender squash cubes, while fresh sage adds an earthy punch that makes everyone ask for seconds.

Pumpkin Chili

I never expected pumpkin to become my chili game-changer, but pumpkin puree creates this creamy base for the beans and sweet potato! It makes each spoonful feel a little more special than your average chili.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

When I need dinner on the table without thinking too much, I turn to stuffed sweet potatoes. The contrast between the sweet orange flesh and savory black bean filling is perfection, and I love that everyone can customize their toppings.

One Pot Chicken and Rice

This one pot chicken and rice dish is my go-to fall dinner when I need something comforting that doesn't dirty every pan in the kitchen. It's a family favorite: everyone loves this one! Tender chicken cooks right alongside fluffy rice that soaks up all those savory pan juices.

Cozy Vegetarian Pot Pie

Another one of my favorite impressive fall dinner recipes is this pot pie! It's the ultimate comfort food without any meat. Earthy vegetables swim in a creamy, sage-infused gravy under a flaky, golden crust. For vegan, try my Vegan Pot Pie with Sage Crust.

Wild Rice Soup

There's nothing quite like the nutty pop of cooked wild rice in a creamy soup base. My plant-based version tastes so satisfying, I've served it to dedicated meat-eaters who had no idea it was dairy-free. This is a fan favorite recipe! Also try my Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas

These enchiladas have been a reader and family favorite for years, and I can understand why! Tender sweet potato pairs with savory black beans and tangy salsa verde, all held together by melted cheese that gets perfectly golden in the oven. It feels surprisingly hearty for a vegetarian dinner.

Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

The smell of shallots and butter and a splash of white wine make this butternut squash risotto feel both healthy and fancy. Sweet roasted squash cubes and fresh sage turn this classic Italian dish into the perfect fall dinner.

Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

Sheet pan dinners have saved me on countless busy weeknights: just toss everything on one pan and let the oven do the work. Here the chicken gets perfectly crispy while seasonal vegetables caramelize around it.

Enchilada Casserole

This is another one of my top fan favorite recipes and it's perfect for fall! All the flavors of enchiladas without the rolling make this casserole a weeknight winner. The layers of tortillas, beans, cheese, and sauce all come together in one baking dish.

Easy Kale Soup

I've learned the secret to a great kale soup is letting those flavors meld together: the earthy Tuscan kale, creamy white beans, and bright tomatoes. Oregano and fennel give it that Italian soul food quality that's great for the season.

Easy Stuffed Shells

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with creamy ricotta make a fancy-looking pan that's actually simple to prepare. This fall dinner is perfect for when you have time to let things bake until melty and bubbling.

Moroccan Chickpea Stew

Warm spices like cumin and cinnamon transform humble chickpeas into a healthy fall dinner that tastes supremely satisfying. This stew tastes like it simmered all day but comes together in under an hour.

Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

Once fall hits and spaghetti squash floods the farmers market, I make this dish on repeat. Roasted squash strands topped with marinara and Parmesan create a lighter take on pasta. I recommend adding protein like pan seared chicken or vegan meatballs.

Stuffed Green Peppers

Bell peppers become edible bowls for a savory rice and bean filling that bakes until tender. I love how each pepper becomes its own portioned serving, and it gives comforting retro vibes.

7 Ingredient Lentil Soup

This plant-based lentil soup wraps you in in a cozy hug: tender lentils, aromatic vegetables, warm spices. It's the kind of soup I crave on a fall evening and it's so simple to put together with minimal ingredients.

Vegetarian Meatloaf

People who make this swear it has meat in it, but surprise! It's full of rice, nuts, herbs, and cheese that all together work to make the flavor and texture of meat. It's one of our most popular fall dinner recipes. Serve with Parmesan Potato Wedges or Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Cozy White Bean Soup

This white bean soup has become my weeknight hero: the humble ingredients that somehow create amazing flavor. The brightness of lemon zest and the herby notes from tarragon make simple white beans and potatoes into something special.

Baked Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce

Pillowy gnocchi dumplings swimming in creamy pumpkin sauce and topped with melted goat cheese? Yes, please. This baked dish disappears so fast at our dinner table.

Baked Chicken Meatballs

These baked meatballs are so much easier than pan frying, and they come out juicy every time. I make a big batch and refrigerate them for quick additions to pasta or soup throughout the week.

Vegetarian Chili

My classic vegetarian chili packs so much flavor from chili powder, cumin, and mild green chiles that no one misses the meat. I like to make a big batch because it tastes even better the next day, and works well with cornbread or corn muffins. Also try my Healthy Chili Recipe or Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili.

Easy Chickpea Curry

Creamy coconut milk and warming curry spices turn pantry chickpeas into a flavor-packed cozy fall dinner dinner. Serve it over rice to soak up that flavorful sauce.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

The scent of toasted pecans, celery, and leeks cooking in butter makes this stuffed acorn squash smell like Thanksgiving. The sweet roasted squash halves are irresistible covered with this nutty, herbaceous rice filling.

Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese

I was skeptical about using cottage cheese in mac and cheese until I tasted how creamy it makes the sauce. It's a high-protein twist that tastes even better than the traditional version (in my opinion!).

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

This soup tastes like liquid sunshine in a bowl: sweet butternut squash meets coconut milk, ginger, and Thai curry paste. The pureed chickpeas make it heartier than typical squash soups, so it's actually filling enough for dinner.

Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Tacos

Taco night gets a fall makeover with these sheet pan sweet potato tacos. Roasted sweet potatoes and black beans are perfect topped with crumbled cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Welcome to one of our favorite cozy fall dinner ideas: this creamy garlic chicken recipe! The tender, juicy chicken breasts are coated in garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika, then cooked and smothered in a garlic cream sauce.

Red Lentil Curry

Red lentils cook down into a flavor-popping curry in just 20 minutes. The way they practically melt into the coconut-tomato sauce creates this luxurious texture I can't get enough of, plus it's topped with a bright green cilantro chutney.

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Sauteed mushrooms and tender arborio rice make this risotto taste hearty and earthy: the perfect vegetarian fall dinner! The key is patience with the stirring: but it's so worth it.

Chicken and Rice Soup

This is the soup I make when I need something cozy and restorative: it's pure comfort in a bowl. Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and aromatic vegetables in a golden broth that warms you from the inside out.

Seasonal fall ingredients

What foods are seasonal in the autumn? Some of the seasonal fall ingredients you’ll see in recipes this time of year:

Squash: Butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and pumpkin
Sweet potatoes
Brussels sprouts
Beets
Cauliflower
Apples and pears