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Kid-Friendly Spiked Apple Cider Mimosa Bar: Easy Party Idea

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A warm, spiced apple cider mimosa bar with both spiked and kid-friendly versions, perfect for fall gatherings and holiday parties. This easy setup lets guests customize their own drinks with toppings like cinnamon sticks, cranberries, and whipped cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 gallon apple cider
  • 4 cinnamon sticks (plus extra for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries (optional)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries (frozen works too)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups bourbon or dark rum (for spiked version)
  • ½ cup apple brandy or calvados (optional, for spiked version)
  • 4 cups plain sparkling water or ginger ale (for kid-friendly version)
  • Extra apple slices and orange slices for garnish (for kid-friendly version)
  • Maraschino cherries (for kid-friendly version)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks (for stirring)
  • Fresh apple slices (tossed in lemon juice to prevent browning)
  • Fresh orange slices
  • Fresh cranberries
  • Honey or agave syrup (for extra sweetness)
  • Whipped cream (for kids’ cups)
  • Caramel sauce (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Pour the entire gallon of apple cider into a large slow cooker or pot. Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries (tied in cheesecloth if desired), orange slices, and cranberries. If cider is tart, stir in maple syrup or brown sugar. Set slow cooker to low and simmer for at least 2 hours, keeping it at a gentle simmer (do not boil).
  2. After 2 hours, ladle about 4 cups of the spiced cider into a smaller slow cooker or pot for the kid-friendly version. Leave the remaining cider in the large slow cooker for the spiked version. Remove the spice bundle or fish out whole cloves and allspice berries from both pots. Leave cinnamon sticks and orange slices for visual appeal.
  3. For the spiked version: Stir bourbon or dark rum into the large slow cooker with the remaining spiced cider. Start with 1 cup, taste, and add up to 1 ½ cups total. If using apple brandy, add it now. Stir gently and keep on warm setting. Do not let it boil after adding alcohol.
  4. For the kid-friendly version: Just before serving, stir sparkling water or ginger ale into the smaller pot of reserved spiced cider. Taste and add honey or agave if needed. Serve warm or chilled. Pour into a pitcher or leave in the small slow cooker on warm.
  5. Set up the mimosa bar: Place the large slow cooker with spiked cider on one side and the kid-friendly version on the other. Arrange small bowls with toppings: extra cinnamon sticks, apple slices, orange slices, cranberries, honey, whipped cream, and caramel sauce. Provide mason jars or cups. Let everyone build their own drink. For adults, start with spiked cider and add a splash of sparkling water or ginger ale. For kids, fill cups with kid-friendly cider and add toppings.

Notes

Don’t skip the spice bundle to avoid biting into whole cloves. Taste the cider base before adding sweetener or alcohol, as sweetness varies. Keep heat low to prevent scorching. Add sparkling water to kid-friendly version just before serving to keep it fizzy. Label both pots clearly at parties. Have napkins ready for spills. Leftover spiced cider keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be reheated gently. The base can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider mimosa, spiked apple cider, kid-friendly drink, fall party drink, holiday brunch, mimosa bar, slow cooker cider

Find it online: https://morselora.com/kid-friendly-spiked-apple-cider-mimosa-bar-easy-party-idea/