Splashes of crisp red apple cider and warming cinnamon spice lace every sip of this Fireball cider recipe with easy autumn flavor. Let me tell you… You’re gonna wanna pack a little thermos filled to the brim with this chilled Fireball cider cocktail before you head down to the farm for that tractor-pulled hayride. Sip it, serve it up in that classic red solo cup, but most of all, share it with friends and enjoy the sights and smells of autumn as you hop up on that wagon for a happy hayride.

Pinches of orange zest and ground cinnamon work a little aromatic action in this delicious cocktail made with simple ingredients. It’s the perfect drink to sip if you crave all the flavors of fall in a quick apple cocktail.

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Keep this easy recipe handy when you’re looking for Fireball apple cider recipes to pour for all your festive fall events! We’ll talk about how to enjoy it hot or cold further down.

How I found out about fireball cinnamon whiskey

I have a funny little story about the very first time I tried Fireball whisky. It’s rather impossible for me to forget…

You see, living in Chicago you have to deal with the fact that the weather here is pretty much ‘a box of chocolates’ type situation. You seriously never know what you’re gonna get. A couple of years ago we had a snow storm on Halloween day.

I remember small pellets of hail falling down mixed in with the snow at one point. It stopped no one. Kids all went out, faces painted, their snow boots strapped on tight with layers of fleece tucked under their costumes. Gloves, hats, and scarves all came back out of the closet. We hit the sidewalks ready to bear down with wagons and strollers to collect that candy.

A few houses down one of the neighbors was passing out some chocolates for the kids.

“…and maybe a little something for the grown-ups?” My eyes perked up in the falling snow. “Sure!”

He came back with little splashes of amber colored libation. It was a most welcome prescription for the cold weather. “Here’s a little Fireball. Perfect for keeping warm on a day like today.”

I must say, it went down like the delicious cinnamon candies my godmother used to give me as a kid. That’s how Fireball cinnamon whisky and I first came to meet.

what is fireball?

Fireball cinnamon whiskey is a spirit made with Canadian whiskey, cinnamon flavoring, and sweeteners produced by the Sazerac Company. It has a strong cinnamon flavor along with deep golden and amber tones. Hints of dried red chili pepper, allspice berry, vanilla, caramel, red hots candy, and cinnamon stick produce a bold spice-dominated taste.

Fireball has as curiously spicy kick and is quite versatile. Fireball cinnamon whiskey can be used in a number of great cocktails and easy recipes that we look forward to enjoying through the fall and cold weather seasons. Use a shot of Fireball whiskey when you want the bold flavors of cinnamon and spice to shine in a hot toddy, a fun fireball apple cider sangria, or a delicious spiked apple cider just like this one!

Make a Fireball Apple Cider Cocktail Rim

Create a fun and festive cocktail rim by combining 1 tsp Turbinado cane sugar with 1 tsp gold sanding sugar and 1 tsp red sanding sugar. Mix these together in a small bowl and pour out onto a flat surface.

For this particular cocktail rim I used Sugar In The Raw which is a nice golden cane sugar with a nice coarse cut. Combine this with these simple gold sanding sugars to create the same look! This sanding sugar container with 4 colors works perfectly too.

Swipe your cocktail glasses generously with a fresh lemon wedge and dip them into our festive fall colored cocktail rim. Now your serving glass has a touch of warm fall spice color! It makes for a fun and colorful presentation.

If you’re looking for sleek and attractive cider glasses, these clear coffee cups have a clean look that will show off this cocktail nicely.

Splash In Some Fireball Whiskey

Grab a mixing glass and splash in a little Fireball cinnamon whiskey and a little green apple liqueur to really make that apple flavor pop.

Add Some Citrus For Balance

In the same cocktail shaker, add in splashes of orange juice and fresh-squeezed lemon juice to help balance out the sweetness while adding brightness.

Splash In Some Apple Cider

To the same cocktail shaker with the Fireball whiskey and juices, add in the apple cider along with a bar spoon full of orange zest. Lastly, measure out half a bar spoon of ground cinnamon and sprinkle it in.

You can use fresh cider from your local grocery store, bottled regular apple cider, or a nice pressed apple juice.

A dash of real ground cinnamon gives this chilled version of spiked cider a nice warm flavor.

Shake Fireball Apple Cider Fall Cocktail To Combine

Fill your cocktail shaker about three-quarters of the way with ice and pour in the mixture from the mixing glass. Cover and shake well. Shake vigorously until all the contents are completely cold and chilled all the way through.

Top this off with a splash of sparkling water or sparkling mineral water. I highly recommend La Croix in the classic lemon flavor. It complements this delicious hard cider cocktail with hints of fizz and citrus without competing.

Serve and Garnish

Strain the fireball apple cider cocktail into a tall glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if available. Here are some varieties to choose from if you’re gonna add some cinnamon sticks to your cart for all your fall recipes!

Tuck in bright red apple slices, garnish with an orange slice, or (my favorite) some fresh curly orange peel right on top. It adds a zesty and vibrant finish from the aromatics in the orange oil.

Can I Enjoy This As A Hot Fireball Apple Cider Cocktail?

Yes! All of these same ingredients (minus the sparkling water, of course) heat very nicely in a sauce pan or even in the microwave. Add more lemon juice as needed to balance out the recipe if you’d like it less sweet.

To enjoy this Fireball cider recipe hot on the stovetop:

• Grab a sauce pan and pour in the apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and orange zest. (This is a good time to double or triple the recipe if serving warm and enjoying with friends in cooler weather!)
• Whisk to combine over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
• Remove saucepan from the heat and whisk in the fireball cinnamon whiskey along with the apple liqueur.
• Pour into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks or fresh apple.

To enjoy this Fireball cider recipe hot in the microwave:

• Pour fireball cinnamon whiskey, apple liqueur, apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and orange zest in a mug and stir with a spoon.
• Heat for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
• Remove mug from microwave and give one more stir to remove any hot spots from the liquid before sipping.
• Garnish with orange slices, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, or cubed apples. Serve hot.

Enjoy this fireball cider recipe in the fall. Serve it throughout the holiday season as well! The warm spiced fall flavors also make a great Christmas cocktail that you can serve right by the fireplace! Pour at fall parties or serve in festive pumpkin mugs as a tasty Halloween cocktail!

If you’re looking for simple fireball whisky drinks, or just tasty fall drinks in general, this fireball apple cider recipe will be the easiest and tastiest fall treat to have on your cocktail lineup!

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