Copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider

If you had to choose between hot chocolate and warm apple cider - what would you choose?

I LOVE hot chocolate. But give me a warm cup of caramel apple cider and I'm in absolute heaven. It would be a hard choice but ultimately I give the edge to cider. But it has to be done right. The right amount of delicious spices and cinnamon caramel flavor, of course topped with whipped cream - and maybe a little shake of cinnamon. MMM - it gives me that jaw tingle (you know the one) just thinking about it.

This recipe is so simple and with a few additions to the final product (ahem - like whipped cream), you have the perfect copycat Starbucks drink. In my opinion this one tastes quite a bit better because I can control the amounts of spices and flavor to my personal liking - it's a beautiful thing.

For this recipe, I highly recommend TreeTop Apple Juice. Although you can use any apple juice (NOT cider) Treetop has the perfect amount of tang. Whole spices also make this recipe better. If you use ground spices they can make the end product taste bitter and it won't save as well.

KIMBERLY'S APPLE CIDER

8 cups TreeTop Apple Juice

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 - 4 cinnamon sticks

1 TBL whole cloves

1 1/2 tsp whole allspice

1 orange sliced (or 2-3 clementines)

Place all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Turn heat off and let cool until desired temperature. Strain the spices and oranges to serve. Use your left over spices and orange slices for a fantastic smelling stovetop potpourri!

You can drink this as is OR you can add a few more ingredients to take this to a Starbucks copycat level. If you are lucky and can find Starbucks Dulce De Leche syrup - it is an amazing addition. I've tried a copycat recipe from the internet but it wasn't quite right. What I have found to be a fantastic substitute is Toranis Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup (I found mine at the local Walmart). Just a tablespoon of that and you have a caramel apple cider master piece. Top it with your favorite whipping cream and a dash of ground cinnamon - MMM mmm MMM - looks like I'm headed to the kitchen to make this stat! Cheers!