Expert Tips For At-Home Mixologists (Plus 3 Easy Holiday Cocktails)

Think the best hot toddy you ever had, with the added flavor of apples and the decadence of hot, buttered rum. There are two elements to this cocktail: the Hot Mulled Cider and Spiced Maple Butter.

To make Hot Mulled Cider:

Place the spices below in a 4 Quart Stainless Steel Pot (Note: Aluminum will leach due to the acidity of the apples)
-6 pieces Cinnamon Sticks 
-6 pieces Star Anise 
-1/2 teaspoon Whole Allspice
-1/2 teaspoon Whole Cloves (about 10 cloves)
-Heaping teaspoon of Whole Cardamom Pods 
-1/4 cup peeled thin-sliced ginger root

Then, warm the above spices in a dry pot for 90 seconds to release the aromas, stirring
to toast evenly and to prevent scorching.

Next, add the below to the bowl and heat it, but do not let it boil:
-1 Lemon cut in thin half-moon slices (ends and seeds removed)
-1 oz Maple Syrup 
-2 quarts Apple Cider (preferably raw and unfiltered)

To make Spiced Maple Butter, cream all of the ingredients below:
-1 stick (1/4lb) softened butter (preferably European Style)
-1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
-1 heaping Tablespoon Cinnamon
-1 teaspoon Allspice 

To serve, add a teaspoon of the Spiced Maple Butter in to an Irish Coffee Mug. Spike it with 1.5 oz of Bourbon of Applejack, and then top with a few whole spices from the pot.