Sometimes when you're all wrapped up in layers, you need a little something to cool you down. As much as you want to sip on a hot apple cider, you're in the mood for something with a little chill. Well, you can have your apple cider and eat... drink... it, too! How does an apple cider float sound? All the goodness of an apple cider with a plop of vanilla ice cream on top! And for the cherry, we're spiking this one! 

What you'll need:

FOR THE CINNAMON SIMPLE SYRUP
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cinnamon stick
 
FOR THE SPIKED APPLE CIDER FLOATS
2 cups apple cider, chilled
1/4 cup cinnamon simple syrup
1/4 cup applejack or apple schnapps
2 tablespoons bourbon
5-6 scoops vanilla ice cream

 

To prepare:

FOR THE CINNAMON SIMPLE SYRUP
Combine the water, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Place over medium-high heat, and allow to cook until the sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently. this should take about 2-3 minutes. As soon as the sugar is dissolved, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature. When the simple syrup is cool, strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container, cover and store in the fridge until ready to use.

FOR THE SPIKED APPLE CIDER FLOATS
Place two mugs in the freezer about an hour before you'd like to serve the floats. everyone loves a frosty mug! Place 2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream in each mug, depending on how much ice cream you like. In a small pitcher or cocktail shaker, combine the apple cider, cinnamon simple syrup, applejack and bourbon. shake to combine. Pour the apple cider over top the ice cream in the mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick (totally optional!), and serve with a straw and a spoon.

 

Enjoy!

(photo and recipe from Food + Words)