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Brandy apple cider slush in a mason jar next to a stack of four brown donuts.
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Brandy Apple Cider Slush

Who says all fall cocktail recipes must be warm? My easy and festive Brandy Apple Cider Slush recipe can act as an after-dinner drink and dessert all in one.
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Freeze/Thaw Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 8 minutes
Servings 12 (1-cup) servings
Calories 162kcal

Ingredients

  • 64 ounces apple cider (see note 1)
  • 2 cups brandy (see note 2)
  • hard apple cider or sparkling water, for serving

Instructions

  • In an empty one-gallon ice cream pail, combine the apple cider and brandy. Place in the freezer and chill at least 8 hours, overnight, or up to a month in advance.
  • Remove from freezer 1 – 2 hours before serving. As the slush melts, it will become easier to scrape and serve.
  • To serve, add 1 cup slush to a glass (a ladle works well). Top with sparkling water or hard cider, as desired.

Notes

  1. Apple cider: You'll use kid-friendly, classic apple cider in the slush base. Then as a fizzy finish, I call for topping off each glass with a splash of sparkling hard cider (Angry Orchard, Virtue, and Strongbow tend to be widely-available across America). You can also opt for sparkling water as the final element instead of the hard cider, if desired.
  2. Brandy: This distilled wine is often sipped as a digestif after meals, and has between 35% and 60% alcohol by volume. That alcohol will keep the Brandy Apple Cider Slush recipe from freezing rock hard (while adding some good spirit to your party).
  3. Yield: This recipe makes 12 (1-cup servings), ideal for parties or for the adults to enjoy after dinner over a few fall weekends.
  4. Make ahead: Feel free to stir together and freeze this slush recipe up to 1 month in advance, then store in the freezer until you're ready to slightly thaw and scoop.
  5. Garnish your glasses: Try nestling a few pieces of thinly-sliced apple in each mug or cup. Or make this drink a dessert by adding a dollop of Whipped Cream and a generous drizzle of Caramel Sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg