There’s no better way to greet the fall season than by mixing up a batch of apple cider infused with CBD caramel. Blending autumn’s most celebrated flavors, this delicious drink will keep you warm and cozy as leaves begin to change color and cooler temperatures chill the air.

If you love fall flavors, I highly recommend making homemade apple cider. Whether you love Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji, choose your favorite apple variety (or a blend!) to create this comforting recipe. You’ll also want to source whole spices rather than ground to properly spice up the cider. I recommend adding cinnamon sticks as well as whole cardamom, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.

If you’re in a rush and don’t have the time to make homemade apple cider, simply substitute for store-bought apple cider. Heat the cider in a small saucepan before serving, then follow the directions as written. However, if you do have the time to prepare the homemade apple cider, I encourage you to make this recipe. It’s absolutely delicious and it might become your new fall go-to.

To enhance the cider, you can easily create CBD caramel sauce by infusing it with Care By Design 40:1 Full Spectrum CBD Drops. This blend is packed with relaxing and therapeutic properties to balance the mind, body, and spirit. By incorporating CBD, CBDA, THC, and THCA, this powerful formulation is rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoid acids, to replenish and nurture your internal system.

If you haven’t infused caramel before, it’s quick and easy, plus tastes out-of-this-world delicious, especially when combined with apple cider. Since you’ll be adding CBD oil, be sure to follow the directions as noted and always stir well before serving to prevent separation. Click here to find Care By Design near you.

Ready to try this scrumptious fall beverage for yourself? Keep reading for the full recipe and be sure to stay tuned for more Herb Somm x Care By Design drink collaborations as part of the Elevated Elixirs series that we’ll be featuring this fall and holiday season. Enjoy!

Caramel Apple CBD Cider

Servings: 1 drink (use the leftover homemade apple cider and CBD caramel sauce to make a second round or prepare a round of drinks for your friends)

Target Dose: 3 CBD | < 1 mg CBDA | < 1 mg THC | < 1 mg THCA per drink (using Care By Design CBD Caramel Sauce)

Equipment:

Large stockpot

Wooden spoon

Saucepan

Rubber spatula

Mason jar or storage jar of your choice

Teaspoon

Ladle

Potato masher

Shallow saucer

Fine-mesh strainer

Cocktail coffee glass or glass of your choice

Ingredients:

Apple Cider

Yield = around 11 ½ cups

8 large apples, cut into quarters

½ orange, cut in half

5 cinnamon sticks

5 whole cardamom pods, cracked partially

1 teaspoon whole allspice

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1 whole nutmeg

½ cup packed golden brown sugar

Care By Design CBD Caramel Sauce

Yield = around 1 cup

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup water

¾ cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature

½ teaspoon salt

2 ml Care By Design 40:1 Full Spectrum CBD Drops (64 mg CBD | 16 mg CBDA | 1.6 mg THC | 0.4mg THCA)

Cinnamon Sugar Rim

Orange wedge

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Caramel Apple CBD Cider

6 to 8 ounces homemade apple cider, served hot

1 to 2 teaspoons Care By Design CBD Caramel, to taste

Garnish with a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick

Directions:

Begin by preparing the apple cider. Add the ingredients into the bottom of a large stockpot. Cover with water by at least 1 to 2 inches, then bring the water to a boil. Give the apple cider a quick stir using a wooden spoon, then cover the pot, reduce the heat, and simmer for 2 hours.

As the apple cider is cooking, prepare the Care By Design CBD Caramel. Using a saucepan, heat the granulated sugar and water over medium heat, constantly stirring with a rubber spatula. Continue to stir until the sugar melts and becomes a clear liquid. Turn the heat up and continue to cook until the caramel turns into a golden brown syrup. Be careful not to burn! Add the butter, then stir vigorously into the sugar as it bubbles and melts completely. Next, turn down the heat and stir in the heavy cream, continuing to stir. Allow the caramel to bubble and boil for about 45 seconds while vigorously stirring, then reduce the heat. Stir for another 1 minute until the mixture is smooth. Carefully transfer the caramel into a Mason jar or jar of your choice. Let the caramel cool slightly, then stir in the salt and Care By Design 40:1 Full Spectrum CBD Drops using a teaspoon. Stir for about 1 to 2 minutes to combine, then let the CBD caramel cool. Stir occasionally to prevent the CBD oil from separating out, then set aside.

After the 2 hours is up for cooking the apple cider, use a ladle to remove the orange, then discard. Begin to carefully mash the apples using a potato masher, then simmer the cider uncovered for an additional hour. Enjoy the autumn aromas as your home fills up with a delicious apple cider scent!

While the cider continues to cook, create the cinnamon sugar rim. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow saucer. Mix together well using a spoon. Next, rim a cocktail coffee glass or glass of your choice with an orange wedge and then dip the top of the glass into the cinnamon sugar blend to create a sugared rim. Set aside.

Once the apple cider is done cooking, carefully strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean saucepan or pitcher to remove the solids. Make sure to extract as much apple cider as possible, then set aside. Carefully pour the hot apple cider into the prepared glass, then add your desired amount of Care By Design CBD Caramel, stirring with a spoon until the caramel fully melts into the warm liquid. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick, then serve immediately. Use the leftover cider and CBD caramel to make more drinks for your friends or family. Cheers!

About the Author:

Jamie Evans is the founder of The Herb Somm and author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol and Cannabis Drinks: Secrets to Crafting CBD and THC Beverages at Home. She is an author, entrepreneur, and writer specializing in cannabis, food, recipes, wine, and the canna-culinary world. In addition to her work in the cannabis industry, Jamie has over a decade of wine industry experience and is a Certified Specialist of Wine. Having represented a wide array of organizations and wineries, she is best known for her literary work and producing high-end events. She was also named as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers in 2018. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @TheHerbSomm.