Sweet Heat Scotch Bonnet Apple Cider Rum Cocktail

Yield: 2 cocktails
Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Chill Time: 30 min
Total Time: 50 min

This spiced apple cider cocktail combines dark rum with a homemade Scotch bonnet syrup infused with ginger and Scorched Bonnets Sweet Heat Pepper Spread. The result is a warming drink with balanced sweetness, gentle heat, and bright apple flavor, finished with a cinnamon sugar rim for extra aroma and texture.

Ingredients

For the spicy syrup

1 cup granulated sugar
1½ cups water
1 small Scotch bonnet pepper, sliced thinly (adjust for heat)
½ tsp Scorched Bonnets Sweet Heat Pepper Spread
2 large strips sliced ginger

For the cocktail

¼ teaspoon cinnamon, for glass rim
2 teaspoons coarse sugar, for glass rim
6 oz apple cider, plus more for glass rim
Ice
3 oz dark rum
Sliced apple, for garnish

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, water, sliced Scotch bonnet pepper, and ginger to a boil. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and strain out the pepper and ginger. Stir in the Scorched Bonnets Sweet Heat Pepper Spread until fully combined. Refrigerate the syrup until cooled.
3. Mix the cinnamon and coarse sugar on a small plate. Brush the rims of the cocktail glasses with apple cider and dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Fill the glasses with ice.
4. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 2 oz of the spicy simple syrup, 6 oz apple cider, and the dark rum. Shake well until chilled.
5. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glasses and garnish with sliced apple before serving.

Serving Size & Nutritional Facts

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Makes: 2 cocktails

Calories: ~280 kcal
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: ~10 mg
Total Carbohydrates: ~30 g
Sugars: ~28 g
Protein: 0 g
Alcohol: ~18% ABV

Nutrition information is estimated based on standard ingredients and may vary depending on exact brands or substitutions used.

🔥 Pro Tip

Make the spicy syrup a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This allows the ginger and Scotch bonnet flavors to mellow and blend, creating a smoother and more balanced cocktail.