This Tuaca Apple Pie Cocktail might just be one of the most perfect cool weather drinks we’ve ever encountered.
It tastes like a warm mug of pure, sweet comfort.
And if you love apple pie, you’re going to be wild about this absolutely delicious Tuaca drink.
Tuaca is an Italian Liqueur with hints of vanilla
The secret is Tuaca liqueur.
Have you ever tried Tuaca?
What is Tuaca anyway?
Firstly, let’s start with how to pronounce Tuaca. Phonetically, I think it sounds kind of like tawaka. Ta-wa-ka.
This insanely delicious liqueur originated in Livorno, Italy.
Made from Italian brandy, citrus, vanilla, and other “secret” (read: magical) spices, this 70 proof liqueur is truly special.
And when you stir it into a mug of warm apple cider and top it with whipped cream, your taste buds will swear you are drinking apple pie, fresh from the oven!
This cocktail is homey and comfortable.
It’s a lovely choice for quieter Autumn and Winter celebrations, especially when the weather is cold outside.
For a drink to be this simple, it’s unbelievable how good this Tuaca cocktail is.
This is the type of beverage you want to sip while conversing with friends and loved ones around a blazing fireplace.
When garnished with a cinnamon stick, the Tuaca Apple Pie Cocktail tastes just like Christmas!
And Thanksgiving!
And all kinds of seasonal delights!
Ingredients you need to make a Tuaca Apple Pie Cocktail
- 2 oz Tuaca (or other vanilla-flavored liqueur)
- 6 oz Apple Cider
- Whipped Cream, to top
- Cinnamon Stick, garnish
- Ground Cinnamon, optional
How to make a Tuaca Apple Pie Cocktail
In a saucepan (or the microwave), warm your apple cider until it is hot but not boiling.
Pour the warm apple cider into a mug.
Add Tuaca and stir.
Top with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.
Optional: Dust the whipped cream with ground cinnamon.
Note: To dust the whipped cream with ground cinnamon, put about a teaspoon of ground cinnamon into a mesh strainer.
Hold the strainer over the whipped cream and gently tap the side of the strainer for the cinnamon to filter through until you have as much cinnamon on the whipped cream as you like.
Can I make this drink without alcohol?
Normally, I can give you an enthusiastic yes with a few different suggestions for how to enjoy a recipe without the alcohol.
But this one is a bit tricky, and no matter what I suggest, it won’t taste quite the same without using the Tuaca liqueur.
But it will still taste good!
But if you want to enjoy it without the Tuaca, the important thing is to remember what flavor notes we are replacing, and those are primarily vanilla and citrus.
So we can get close to the taste by substituting a teaspoon of vanilla simple syrup and adding either an orange wheel or a couple of drops of orange extract to the drink in place of the liqueur.
I’m going to be frank with you.
This drink is going to taste great no matter whether you serve it with the booze or not.
You can’t go wrong with mixing warm apple cider with whipped cream and cinnamon.
It’s like a warm apple pie drink.
So if you don’t like the vanilla simple syrup and citrus substitutions, you can just leave out the Tuaca.
It will be a little different from this recipe, but it will still please the palate. Wonderfully so, I might add.
Some more great drinks to sip:
You may also enjoy trying some other great drinks that are good for sipping on a cold night. Give some of these a try:
Cinnamon Gingerbread Eggnog made with Horchata and Fireball Whiskey
try it and share!
Please let us know how you enjoy our Tuaca Apple Pie Recipe.
If you make it yourself, please let us know on Pinterest that you tried it and tag us with #champagneandcoconuts on your Instagram photo.
If you haven’t had a chance to make it yet, be sure to save the recipe on Pinterest so you’ll remember where you found it.
Tuaca Apple Pie Cocktail
Equipment
- Measuring cup or jigger
- Sauce Pan
- Spoon
- Mug
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tuaca (Or Other Vanilla-Flavored Liqueur)
- 6 oz Apple Cider
- Whipped Cream To Top
- Cinnamon Stick Garnish
- Ground Cinnamon Optional
Instructions
- In a saucepan (or the microwave), warm your apple cider until it is hot but not boiling.
- Pour the warm apple cider into a mug.
- Add Tuaca and stir.
- Top with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.
- Optional: Dust the whipped cream with ground cinnamon.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Jennifer. I love to cook and entertain. I have a lot of fun sharing traditional food and drink recipes as well as putting a new spin on the classics. I strive to provide easy to make recipes that are perfect for the home cook, bartender and entertainer.
Tuaca really makes this drink taste absolutely delicious. But there are some substitutions you can make if you don’t have or can’t find Tuaca at your local store. The key is to use something with some vanilla flavor. So a vanilla vodka, or even a vanilla flavored bourbon or whiskey will taste great. You can also use plain vodka or bourbon and add 1/8 tsp vanilla extract to taste. Start with only a little, stir, and add a little more if you feel it needs a bit more.