Nothing will warm you on a chilly Autumn or Winter evening like this Caramel Apple Hot Toddy recipe. Apple cider along with apple brandy and a touch of caramel syrup bring together a festive cocktail that will add “merry” to your holiday celebrations. Serve this lovely libation with homemade whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. It’s sure to add “happy” to any occasion.
Happy Hour
There is “HAPPY HOUR” and then, there is HAPPIER HOUR. Both offer an experience around a nice cocktail or a good beer and maybe some greasy bar food. Happy hour finds itself after a long hard day where your brain is now numb and a good portion of your time and energy were spent taking care of business.
At that point, you’re pretty much wrung out from the day and not necessarily wanting to engage in conversation. Sometimes a drink in hand, sliders with fries and some peace away from all the noise exhaustion is what brings the HAPPY. Then you go home.
Happier Hour
But then there’s “HAPPIER-HOUR!” This is where the party begins, where you meet up with friends for an evening, conversations are lively and the bar is abuzz with business. Or, HAPPIER can be at home with your next-door neighbors enjoying a cocktail around the fire, simple appetizers, and catching up on everything you’ve missed the past week.
However it plays out, it’s about the social aspect of connecting. It’s where you share life with friends around good food, where the drinks flow freely, and the cares and tensions are swallowed up in a lighthearted atmosphere.
Three Simple Ingredients go into this Caramel Apple Hot Toddy
Most cocktails are quick and easy to make and this one is no different. There are three simple ingredients to the cocktail itself – apple cider, apple brandy and a little bit of caramel syrup. You throw this together with how effortless the recipe itself is and you have the making of a perfect relaxing night of drinks and conversation.
This recipe makes four servings
This recipe makes four servings, but you can double or triple it and make however much you need for a larger gathering. Adding homemade (or store-bought) whipped cream in my opinion really makes the drink. And of course, you will want to drizzle caramel sauce (recipe here) because that is the “icing on the cake” so to speak. This makes for a little more work, but, boy does it add to the sipping pleasure.
Caramel Apple Hot Toddy
This recipe creates the best “HAPPIER HOUR” experience. And it’s perfect for a chilly wintery evening around the fireplace with friends. This warms up a get-together quicker than you can imagine. The mingling of flavors in this cocktail is not only satisfying but deliciously inviting.
If you make this cocktail, please leave a comment at the bottom of this page. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Also, if you’re looking for more festive cocktail recipes, check these out:
Boozy Aged Eggnog
Red Wine Sangria with Brandy
Pumpkin Spice Vodka Martini
Moscow Mules
Berry Infused White Rum Mojito
PrintCaramel Apple Hot Toddy

The mingling of flavors in this cocktail makes it a perfect Autumn or Winter drink. I’ve chosen apple brandy, apple cider, and a bit of caramel flavoring syrup. It is that simple. Top it off with homemade sweetened whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 14 oz Apple Cider
- 14 oz Apple Brandy
- 6 tablespoons Caramel Flavoring Syrup (in the coffee section – I prefer Torani))
- Sweetened Whipped Cream (optional)
- Caramel Sauce for drizzling (optional) – recipe here
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the apple cider over medium heat until hot. Remove the pan from the heat and add apple Brandy and caramel flavoring syrup.
- Divide into 4 – 8 oz mugs, top with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz Cup w/out whipped cream
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 26 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Cocktail, Holiday Cocktail, Hot Toddy, Caramel Apple Hot Toddy, Holiday Drinks, Brandy, Apple Cider
Apple Cider, Apple Brandy, and Caramel! It doesn’t get any better than that. YUM!
★★★★★
This looks so good! What a fun way to make a dessert into a drink!
Thanks so much Suzanne for stopping by. It does hit the spot on a chilly Autumn evening.
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Good question. Thanks for asking Vanessa. This will be good in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
Do you use hard cider or apple juice?
Hi Susan. So sorry for the late reply. My computer went black on me and I was just now able to get it to “wake up.” I hope that you were able to figure out the ingredient. Just for future reference, I used apple cider but I think hard cider would be wonderful as well.