Spiced Apple Cider Floats Recipe
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 pint premium vanilla ice cream
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- Whipped cream for topping
- Ground cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
- Place the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Allow it to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes to let the spices fully release their oils and fragrance into the liquid.
- Once the cider is infused, remove the pan from the heat. Strain out the whole spices and discard them. Let the cider cool down until it is either room temperature or slightly warm. You do not want it boiling hot, or it will melt the ice cream instantly into a liquid.
- Take four tall glasses or mason jars. If desired, drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce down the inside walls of each glass for a decorative and delicious touch.
- Place two generous scoops of vanilla ice cream into each prepared glass. Using a high-quality, dense ice cream will help the float maintain its texture longer as the cider is added.
- Slowly pour the spiced apple cider over the ice cream in each glass. The cider will foam slightly, creating a beautiful frothy top. Leave a little bit of room at the top for toppings.
- Top each float with a dollop of whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce. Finish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon. Serve immediately with a long spoon and a straw.