Hot Bacan Cider

Cold nights have a way of turning everyone into a “warm drink” person, even the friends who usually only want something on the rocks. The first time I made this Hot Bacan Cider, it was one of those evenings when the house felt a little chilly, the candles were on, and I wanted cocktails that matched the mood without taking a ton of effort. Warm apple cider, honey, lemon, and Bacan Guaro were all it took.

What makes this one special is how smooth it tastes for such a simple recipe. Bacan Guaro 24 brings a clean, bright spirit base that pairs really well with warm cider. The honey simple syrup adds mellow sweetness, and the lemon juice keeps everything from tasting flat. I love this because it’s cozy and comforting, but still tastes fresh and balanced. This drink is perfect for holiday parties, fall gatherings, winter nights, or any time you want an easy warm cocktail that feels like a treat.

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Why You’ll Love This

Hot cocktails are great when you want something soothing, but they can get too sweet or too spicy fast. This Hot Bacan Cider stays balanced. The cider gives it comfort, the honey adds smooth sweetness, and the lemon brightens it up so each sip still feels clean.

• Warm and cozy without being heavy
• Fast to make with simple ingredients
• Bacan Guaro 24 pairs beautifully with apple and honey
• Lemon juice keeps it bright and balanced
• Easy to garnish for photos and parties
• Simple to scale up for a group

If you’re looking for cocktails that feel seasonal but still easy, this is a strong pick.

Ingredients

This recipe works because each ingredient has a clear job. The cider is the base, Bacan Guaro adds a smooth spirit kick, honey syrup rounds out the edges, and lemon juice keeps the sweetness in check. Even the garnish does more than look pretty. A fresh apple slice adds aroma right when you take a sip.

Hot Bacan Cider

• 2 oz Bacan Guaro 24
• 3 oz warm apple cider (apple juice works too)
• 0.5 oz honey simple syrup
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• Apple slices, for garnish
• Cocktail pick (for the garnish)

Honey Simple Syrup

• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup water

A few quick notes that help:

• Apple cider vs apple juice: Cider usually has a deeper apple flavor and a little more spice. Apple juice works if that’s what you have, and it still tastes great with honey and lemon.
• Fresh lemon juice: This is the ingredient that makes the drink taste balanced instead of overly sweet.
• Honey simple syrup: Honey alone can clump in warm drinks. Turning it into syrup helps it mix smoothly.
• Bacan Guaro 24: This is the star for the brand deal, so let it shine. The drink is designed to taste smooth and clean, not covered up by heavy spices.

Warning: Use a heat-safe glass or mug. Regular thin glass can crack with hot liquids.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

Since this drink is for a Bacan Guaro brand deal, Bacan Guaro 24 is the main spirit. The good news is it plays really well with apple, honey, and lemon, so you don’t need extra liqueurs to make it taste complete. That said, there are a few easy swaps for the other ingredients depending on what you have.

• Bacan Guaro 24: Use the 24 expression as written for a smooth, clean base that works well in warm cocktails.
• Apple cider substitute: Apple juice works, especially if you add a tiny pinch of cinnamon or a small strip of lemon peel while warming it.
• Honey simple syrup substitute: Use store-bought honey syrup, or swap in 0.5 oz maple syrup for a deeper, cozy sweetness.
• Lemon juice substitute: Fresh lime juice works in a pinch, but it tastes sharper. If you use lime, consider slightly more honey syrup to balance.
• Optional spice add-ins: Cinnamon stick, star anise pod, or a thin slice of fresh ginger. Go light so you don’t cover up the Bacan.
• Non-alcoholic option: Skip the Bacan Guaro and add extra lemon juice plus a splash of ginger beer or sparkling water for a bright mocktail-style mug.

If you’re making a big batch for guests, keep the add-ins minimal so the flavor stays clean and the Bacan still comes through.

Equipment and Glassware

This is a warm cocktail, so the main thing is having something heat-safe and a way to warm cider without scorching it. You can go microwave or stovetop, depending on what’s easiest.

What you’ll need:

• Heat-safe glass or mug
• Cocktail shaker (not required here) or a spoon for stirring
• Small saucepan (if using stovetop) or microwave-safe measuring cup
• Jigger or measuring cup
• Knife and cutting board (for apple slices)
• Cocktail pick (optional but cute)

Glass tip: A thick ceramic mug holds heat best, but a clear heat-safe glass looks great for photos if you want the layered, golden color to show.

How to Make It

This drink is simple, but the order matters. Warm the cider first, then build the drink in the mug so everything mixes smoothly and stays hot.

1. Warm the apple cider.
   • Microwave: Heat for 1 minute, then continue in 30-second intervals until it’s hot but not boiling.
   • Stovetop: Warm in a small saucepan on low until it starts steaming.
2. Build the drink in your mug.
   Add 2 oz Bacan Guaro 24 to a heat-safe glass or mug. Stir in 0.5 oz honey simple syrup and 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice.
3. Add the warm cider and stir.
   Pour in 3 oz warm apple cider and stir until fully mixed.
4. Garnish (optional, but worth it).
   Slice three thin apple slices, stack them, and push a cocktail pick through one end. Fan them slightly and place in the glass. You can also garnish with a lemon wheel, cinnamon stick, or star anise pod.
5. Serve immediately.
   Enjoy while it’s hot and the aromas are at their best.

Common tweak: If you want it sweeter, add a small splash more honey syrup. If you want it brighter, add a tiny squeeze more lemon.

Pro Tips

Warm cocktails can go from “perfect” to “too sweet” or “too hot” pretty quickly. These tips help you keep the drink balanced, safe, and photo-ready.

• Don’t boil the cider. Steaming hot is perfect. Boiling can flatten the flavor.
• Use a heat-safe mug. Thin glass can crack with hot cider.
• Add Bacan Guaro after warming the cider, not during. This keeps the spirit flavor clean and prevents harsh alcohol notes.
• Start with less food-like garnish. Apple slices look great, but don’t overload the rim so it stays easy to sip.
• Make the honey syrup ahead. It mixes faster and keeps the drink smooth.
• Taste before serving. Cider sweetness varies a lot, so adjust honey syrup or lemon as needed.
• Keep spice optional and light. One cinnamon stick is plenty if you add it at all.
• Serve right away. Warm cocktails lose aroma as they cool.

Once you’ve made it once, you’ll get a feel for the exact sweet-tart balance you like best.

Variations

This recipe is flexible, so you can keep the Bacan Guaro base and change the vibe depending on the season or the crowd.

• Spiced Hot Bacan Cider: Add a cinnamon stick while warming the cider, then remove it before serving.
• Orange Honey version: Swap lemon juice for orange juice and garnish with an orange wheel for a softer citrus note.
• Ginger-Apple version: Add a thin slice of fresh ginger while warming the cider, then strain it out.
• Iced Bacan Cider: Use cold apple cider, shake with ice, and serve over fresh ice with a lemon wheel.
• Mocktail mug: Warm cider with honey syrup and lemon, then top with a splash of sparkling water for lift.

If you’re serving a group, the iced version is great for warmer weather, while the spiced version fits holiday hosting.

When to Serve and Pairings

This is a fall-and-winter style cocktail, but it also works any time you want a warm drink that feels comforting. It’s great for casual hosting because it doesn’t require shaking or fancy bar tools, and it keeps people cozy.

Best times to serve it:

• Holiday parties and cozy get-togethers
• Fall nights, bonfires, and porch hangs
• Winter weekends and movie nights
• After-dinner drinks when you want something warm

Pair it with:

• Charcuterie boards with cheddar, apples, and salty nuts
• Warm desserts like apple crisp, oatmeal cookies, or snickerdoodles
• Savory snacks like soft pretzels or spiced nuts
• Roasted pork, chicken, or holiday ham
• Light appetizers like brie bites or baked camembert

If you’re building a menu, this pairs well with foods that like a little sweetness and salt together.

Storage and Serving Notes

This drink is best made fresh, but you can prep parts of it to make serving faster. The honey simple syrup is the biggest time-saver, and warming the cider in a saucepan makes it easy to refill mugs for guests.

For prep:

• Make honey simple syrup ahead and store it in the fridge.
• Slice apples ahead and keep them in cold water with a little lemon juice so they don’t brown. Pat dry before garnishing.
• Warm cider on low heat and keep it just below steaming.

Batching tip: If making a larger batch, keep the cider warm on low and add Bacan Guaro, lemon, and honey syrup per mug so each serving stays balanced and fresh.

FAQs

Warm cocktails bring up a few common questions, mostly about heat, sweetness, and batching. Here are the answers that help the most.

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
Yes. Apple cider has a deeper flavor, but apple juice still works. If using juice, adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon while warming can help it taste more “cider-like.”

How hot should the cider be?
Hot and steaming is ideal. You don’t want a rolling boil because it can dull the apple flavor.

Can I make the honey simple syrup ahead of time?
Yes, and it’s recommended. It keeps in the fridge in an airtight container and makes this drink much faster to build.

Will the alcohol cook off in a hot drink?
Not in this method. You’re adding Bacan Guaro after the cider is warmed, so the alcohol stays in the drink.

How do I make it less sweet?
Use less honey syrup or add a little extra lemon juice. Cider sweetness varies, so tasting is your best move.

What’s the best garnish for photos?
The stacked apple slices on a pick look great and are easy. A cinnamon stick also adds a nice “warm drink” look without much effort.

More Cocktails to Try

If you like this Hot Bacan Cider, you’ll probably enjoy other cocktails that lean cozy, creamy, or coffee-forward. These are great choices when you want drinks that feel like a treat.

• Irish Mudslide: A blended, dessert-style drink with Irish cream and coffee flavor.
• Tequila Espresso Martini: Bold coffee flavor with a frothy top and a smooth finish.
• Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake Martini: Creamy vanilla flavor with coffee and almond notes.
• Chocolate White Russian: A classic creamy cocktail with a chocolate twist.
• Pink Lemonade Margarita: Bright citrus flavor that’s easy to shake up for a group.