Cups & Curiosity

Today it was –14 degrees Fahrenheit.
The kind of cold that doesn’t just nip at you—it settles in your bones. The only reasonable response is blankets piled high, a good book within reach, and something warm simmering on the stove.

This Hot Apple-Cranberry Cider—a recipe from my good friend Arielle—was exactly what the night called for.

It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with apple juice bringing that familiar comfort, cranberry juice adding a bright, tart edge, and warm cinnamon spice weaving through the whole thing. It tastes like winter in the best way: cozy, rich, and just a little bold.

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Arielle’s Hot Apple-Cranberry Cider

You’ll need:

• 64 oz apple juice
• 32 oz cranberry juice
• 1 cup Maker’s Mark
• Start with ½ cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• 5 cinnamon sticks

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How to Make It

Add the brown sugar and cinnamon sticks to a large pot over medium heat and let them warm together for a minute or two. The sugar softens, the cinnamon releases its spice, and your kitchen immediately smells like something worth staying home for.

Pour in the apple juice and cranberry juice, stirring gently to combine. Then add the Maker’s Mark and let everything come together.

Raise to medium-high heat, and let the cider come to a hard simmer (but not a boil), then turn it down to low and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This isn’t a recipe that needs precision. It’s meant to be tasted and adjusted.

That’s part of what makes it so good:

• Add more brown sugar if you want it sweeter
• Add a little more bourbon if you want extra warmth
• If it tips too sweet, a splash of water brings it back into balance

You’re aiming for that sweet-and-tangy harmony, with cinnamon lingering softly in every sip.

Non-Alcoholic Variation

To make this cider alcohol-free, simply skip the Maker’s Mark and increase the apple juice or cranberry juice to taste. For a little extra depth, you can add:

• A splash of orange juice or a few orange peels
• A pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg
• An extra cinnamon stick for more warmth

Let it simmer low and slow so the flavors fully meld. You’ll still get that perfect sweet-and-tangy balance with cozy cinnamon spice—just as comforting for a cold night under the blankets, with or without a book in hand.

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The Vibe

This is a drink made for quiet nights and slow pages. The tart cranberry keeps it from being too heavy, the apple juice makes it comforting, and the cinnamon spice wraps it all together in warmth. It’s the kind of mug you cradle while reading, pausing between sips just to enjoy how it smells.

So here’s to Arielle for the recipe, to bitterly cold days that force us to cozy up, and to sweet-tangy cider that makes winter nights feel intentional instead of endured.

When it’s –14 outside, this is how you stay warm.