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    Home » Drinks » Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail

    Oct 12, 2012 · Modified: Nov 30, 2018 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 11 Comments

    Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail is a simple, but delicious fall cocktail consisting of apple cider, rum, and a wonderfully spicy habanero ginger simple syrup. Despite being served chilled, it's a cocktail that will warm you up!

    (This recipe for Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktails was originally posted in October 2012, but was updated with new photos in 2018).

    Head-on image of habanero ginger apple cider cocktail with apple and habanero garnish on marble board sprinkled with cinnamon and recipe title at the top of the image

    Friday is, without a doubt, my favorite night of the week. It's the night where I don't feel any guilt about sitting on the couch and doing nothing. Or sipping a cocktail or two. Or actually falling asleep on the couch because I'm sooo tired, but Dateline is sooo good and I don't want to turn it off. It happens all the time. It's not fun to wake up on the couch in a heap at 2 a.m. with your teeth unbrushed and your neck at an unhuman-like angle (which hurts because you're now old), except for the fact that you can stumble into bed (after brushing your teeth and washing your face, of course) without an alarm set for the morning. When I was 20, I probably would have died on the spot if I knew my life would be like this in 10 years. But man, there really is nowhere I'd rather be than on this couch right now.

    Tonight I watched ABC's What Would You Do and actually shed a tear or two because I've been crying at the weirdest things lately. I actually got emotional over the new Facebook commercial last week. When they say maybe Facebook is here to remind us we're not alone, I got all emotional. And then I realized, no, Facebook is here to remind us that our "friends" either have a) very "busy" days packed with going to the grocery store, doctor appointments, working, errandszzzzzzz, etc., b) lots of babies, and/or c) very strong political opinions. Plus, I do believe there have been studies showing that Facebook actually makes people feel lonelier. So, stop crying.

    And in regard to What Would You Do, I shouldn't cry because somebody stands up for somebody else in a grocery store. But I guess that speaks to the sorry state of our world that I cry over things like that. Or maybe it's the sorry state of me. Hmmm. (P.S. But it's totally OK to absolutely bawl during Parenthood. That's justified).

    Let's stop crying and have a cocktail. Of course, too many cocktails have been known to make people cry even more. So, be careful.

    HABANERO GINGER APPLE CIDER COCKTAIL RECIPE

    If this apple cider cocktail recipe makes you cry, it's probably because of the spiciness of the habanero peppers! Seriously though, this cocktail has a really nice kick to it, thanks to a simple syrup made with habanero peppers and ginger. If you're not a huge spice fan, you can use less pepper and make sure to scrape out all the seeds before adding it to the sugar and water. Also remove the habanero immediately after your syrup is complete. Or you can simply add less habanero simple syrup to the drink... Taste it as you go and do what feels right. I love a good spicy kick!

    I've been simple syrup obsessed lately and don't plan on stopping any time soon, so I hope you're OK with that. It's super easy to make and I have  no fewer than 2 jars of it (all different flavors!) in my fridge at all times. All you do is bring sugar and water to a boil, along with whatever other ingredients you want (in this case, chopped habanero and sliced ginger). Let it simmer for about 10 minutes and cool before enjoying.

    Overhead view of sliced habanero peppers in saucepan with sugar and water for simple syrup

    Garnish with an apple slice if you'd like. I added a habanero pepper in, too, but if you do this, be sure to warn your guests that this is not an edible garnish. Unless you really like living on the edge.

    Overhead view of habanero ginger apple cider cocktail with apple and habanero pepper garnish on a marble board sprinkled with cinnamon and habanero peppers

    I was super happy with the ratio of cider to rum to simple syrup in this drink and felt like the ingredients combined absolutely perfectly. Autumn in a glass. With some spice to boot.

    This would be delightful served with my pumpkin crust pizza. Or simply sitting on the couch vegging out and letting all the emotions of the week out.

    Oh my gosh, speaking of, I totally just got emotional about the Honda Accord commercial where they claim they know me. They know I "have to rise early and work late... with not enough sleep in between" YES. They seriously know just where to hit me.

    Landscape view of two habanero ginger apple cider cocktails on a marble surface sprinkled with cinnamon with habanero peppers and cocktail shaker in the background

    With the habaneros in this spicy apple cider cocktail, I'm just going to pretend I got a little in my eye. And that's where my tears are coming from.

    Ahem. Back to the situation at hand. This cocktail. It is certainly a spicy one, but use my tips above if you want to make it a little less so. The ginger adds a different sort of bite, which balances out the spice a bit. BUT I do really think this cocktail would still be delicious with just a ginger simple syrup if you prefer no spice at all. In any event, I'm really happy apple cider is back in my life. This was my first time sipping it this season and it certainly won't be the last. The only good thing about the fact that we're supposed to have a frost tonight (eek!) is that I can make hot apple cider with mulled spices. I'll take a frost for that.

    But I love cider chilled, too. Especially when it's part of an apple cider cocktail! I

    Head-on image of habanero ginger apple cider cocktail with apple and habanero garnish on marble board sprinkled with cinnamon

    Now, let's just hope Dateline doesn't make me cry tonight. Keith Morrison wouldn't do that to me, would he??

    Do you ever cry over silly things?

    If you're looking for more delicious fall/winter cocktails, check out my Holiday Spiced Honeycrisp Apple Cocktail or my Pumpkin Pie Martini.

    Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail -- This Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail is a simple, but delicious fall cocktail consisting of apple cider, rum, and a wonderfully spicy habanero ginger simple syrup. Despite being served chill, it's a cocktail that will warm you up! | wearenotmartha.com

    Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail

    This Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail is a simple, but delicious fall cocktail consisting of apple cider, rum, and a wonderfully spicy habanero ginger simple syrup. Despite being served chilled, it's a cocktail that will warm you up!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Apple Cider, Cocktails, Spicy
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Simple Syrup Cooling Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 22 minutes
    Makes: 2 cocktails
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 2 habanero peppers, sliced thinly
    • 2 large strips sliced ginger
    • ¼ tsp cinnamon, for glass rim
    • 2 tsp coarse sugar, for glass rim
    • 6 oz. apple cider, plus more for glass rim
    • Ice
    • 3 oz. dark rum
    • Sliced apple, for garnish

    Instructions

    • In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, sliced habanero, and ginger to a boil. Once mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
    • Pour simple syrup into a heat-proof jar or container, straining the habaneros and ginger out, and place in the fridge to cool.
    • On a small plate, mix together cinnamon and coarse sugar. Brush a little apple cider around the rims of your cocktail glasses and dip glasses into cinnamon/sugar mixture. Fill glasses with ice.
    • In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 oz. habanero ginger simple syrup, apple cider, and rum. Shake to combine and pour into prepared glasses.
    • Garnish glasses with an apple slice.

    Notes

    • If you don't want a lot of spice in your cocktail, you can use less pepper in the simple syrup. Also, be  sure to scrape all the seeds out of the pepper before adding it to the sugar and water. And remove the habanero immediately after your syrup is complete. 
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joanne says

      October 13, 2012 at 5:48 am

      My fridays don't sound all that different from yours...and I'm happy with them that way! I haven't had a good cocktail in FOREVER because of marathon training....but as soon as it's over, I'm making this!

    2. Barbara says

      October 13, 2012 at 6:56 am

      I don't cry at the least little thing, but my grown daughter does! This fun fall drink would result in a big smile from me!. A little cider, a little heat and some rum. What could be better on a Friday night? (Or any night?)

    3. Simply Life says

      October 13, 2012 at 7:43 am

      haha, last night I watched So You Think You Can Dance curled up on the couch and kept telling my husband how it was the perfect Friday night. Pathetic to some, maybe? But I didn't want to be anywhere else 🙂 Now, if only I had this drink while I was watching it...

    4. Therese (getpartychic.com) says

      October 14, 2012 at 10:00 am

      I so agree! Friday nights are my favorite. (Even when I was 20, staying in on a Friday night sounded good to me sometimes!) Can't wait to try your cocktail! 🙂

    5. Wizzy says

      October 14, 2012 at 1:43 pm

      Great cocktail. Made from all my favourite ingredients. Pepper and rum go so well together.

    6. Reeni says

      October 14, 2012 at 8:30 pm

      This drink is a kick in the butt with the habanero! Don't feel bad I cry over silly things too. Just about anything can set me off.

    7. Odetta says

      October 15, 2012 at 9:12 am

      Love the heat with the fall spices and flavors!! Pretty drink!

    8. Shannon says

      October 15, 2012 at 9:41 am

      this sounds like a killer cocktail! and i totally cried during parenthood last week... but definitely not the facebook commercial 😉

    9. Kathy says

      October 15, 2012 at 10:03 am

      I'm addicted to jalapeno simple syrup! I've made it twice in the last 2 weeks. It started as a way to use the jalapenos that are still growning in my garden. Add lime juice and citron vodka-POW!

    10. Ashley says

      October 15, 2012 at 11:22 am

      This looks amazing! I want it now. With your jalapeno parsley sour martini. Cider and ginger and spicy peppers? All great things. And I know exactly what you mean about looking forward to relaxing on the couch on Friday nights...knowing you would've thought yourself lame a few years ago. I actually long for an early bedtime on Fridays. Super lame, right?

    11. Gia Grossman says

      October 15, 2012 at 4:53 pm

      Loving all these simple syrups. And spices. And Friday nights in! I don't have any desire to go out after working my you know what off all week and just want to hang and relax. I don't feel bad about it either. I love getting older!

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