Description

A festive and easy-to-make fall party drink combining tart apple cider, crisp beer, and warm spices like cinnamon, star anise, and nutmeg. It offers a sophisticated flavor profile that is simple to prepare and perfect for hosting.

Ingredients

Scale

64 oz (1.9 liters) fresh-pressed apple cider
24 oz (6 bottles or 1 can) light lager or wheat beer
3 large cinnamon sticks
3 star anise pods
2 oranges, sliced
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional, to taste)
Ice

Instructions

Pour apple cider into a large saucepan. Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange slices.
Warm the mixture over medium-low heat until it reaches approximately 140°F or small bubbles form around the edges. Do not boil.
Simmer gently for 5-10 minutes to infuse the spices.
Remove from heat and stir in honey or maple syrup until dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
Let the spiced cider cool to room temperature, then strain out the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange slices.
Chill the spiced cider in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Also chill the beer bottles.
Fill a large pitcher with ice. Pour in the chilled spiced cider.
Slowly pour in the cold beer, using a ratio of 3 parts cider to 1 part beer. Stir gently to preserve carbonation.
Garnish with fresh orange slices and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not boil the cider as it ruins the fresh flavor. Ensure the beer is very cold before mixing to maintain carbonation. The spiced cider base can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Mix with beer only right before serving to prevent it from going flat. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the beer with sparkling water or ginger ale.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: German

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup mixed drink
Calories: 120
Sugar: 12
Sodium: 10
Carbohydrates: 14

Keywords: Oktoberfest, apple radler, fall drinks, party drinks, spiced cider, beer cocktail, gluten-free option, mocktail