Name: Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ gallon apple cider; 2 cups spiced rum

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 14 reviews

If you’re looking for a refreshingly boozy twist on a fall classic, you’re going to love this Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe. It’s like your favorite apple cider and spiced rum had a delicious, icy baby. It’s perfectly balanced, easy to make, and honestly, so much fun to share with friends on a crisp afternoon or cozy evening. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to when you want something both sweet and spirited with minimal fuss.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity: Only two main ingredients make this super quick to prep with minimal cleanup.
Perfect Balance: The spiced rum complements the apple cider’s sweetness and spice beautifully.
Customizable: You can tweak the alcohol type or sweetness to suit your exact cravings.
No Special Equipment: Use a freezer bag and a baking dish, no fancy machines required.

The image shows three clear glass jars filled with a light golden, icy, slushy drink. The jars have an embossed grape and leaf design. Each jar has a green and white striped paper straw sticking out from the ice. The jars sit on a wooden surface with a blurred background. Green leaves and a cinnamon stick are nearby. The focus is on the front jar, showing the icy texture in detail. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe is honestly in the ingredients. Both apple cider and spiced rum bring cozy, comforting flavors to the party, and together, they freeze into a slushy treat that’s just the right kind of chilly without being icy-hard. When shopping, look for a good-quality apple cider (unfiltered is excellent for depth of flavor) and pick a spiced rum you love sipping straight—the taste really shines through.

Apple Cider: Use fresh, unfiltered cider if you can—it adds a natural sweetness and a slightly cloudy, authentic color.
Spiced Rum: Choose one with cinnamon, vanilla, and warm spice notes; it makes a huge difference in the flavor profile.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love playing around with this Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe depending on my mood or who’s coming over. Sometimes I like it boozier, sometimes a bit milder, and occasionally I even add a splash of ginger beer or a cinnamon stick for extra zing. The best part? You can make it your own without losing the core fall flavors.

Less Alcohol: When I want a lighter buzz or plan on serving it to a crowd that prefers mild drinks, I cut back on the rum—the cider holds up nicely on its own.
Cinnamon Whiskey Swap: If you want a different twist, I once tried cinnamon whiskey instead of spiced rum, and the result was equally delicious and a touch sweeter.
Sugar-Free Option: Use unsweetened apple cider and a sugar-free rum alternative for a low-sugar version that’s still tasty.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe

Step 1: Combine with Care

Pour about half a gallon of your apple cider and 2 cups of your chosen spiced rum into a large gallon-sized freezer bag. Seal it carefully—I’ve had it slip once or twice, and it’s a sticky mess. To keep things tidy, place the sealed bag in a 13×9-inch baking dish—any drips that sneak out will stay neat. Give the bag a gentle shake to mix the ingredients together without splashing.

Step 2: Freeze to Slushy Perfection

Lay the bag flat in the freezer and let it chill for at least 5 hours. Here’s a tip: start checking around the 4-hour mark to see if it’s starting to get slushy but isn’t rock solid. The alcohol keeps it from freezing completely solid, but every freezer freezes a bit differently, so it’s good to peek. If it’s too frozen, let it sit out for 15 minutes before serving—it softens up beautifully.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy

Snip a corner of the bag to pour the slushies into cups. They’ll flow like a thick, yummy nectar that’s icy cold but still sippable. Add your favorite garnish if you like (more on that below), and get ready for compliments—you’ll hear lots of “Where did you get this?!”

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe

Use a Freezer Bag: This avoids sticky bowls and lets the slush freeze evenly and be poured right out easily.
Avoid Overfreezing: Too cold and it turns into a block—letting it thaw a bit solves that every time.
Quality Ingredients Matter: Since the recipe is simple, each ingredient’s flavor really stands out.
Prep Ahead: This recipe’s perfect for making the day before your gathering—so it’s ready when you are.

How to Serve Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe

Three clear glass jars filled to the top with a light yellow slushy drink are shown. The jars have an embossed design of grapes and fruit on the front. Each jar has a green and white striped paper straw stuck into the drink. The jars are placed on a wooden surface with some green leaves and star anise visible around them. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping these slushies with a thin slice of fresh apple or a cinnamon stick. It adds a little visual pop and a hint of extra aroma as you sip. A sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top is another one of my favorite quick finishes—plus it makes the whole thing feel extra festive.

Side Dishes

These slushies go really well with light appetizers—think warm soft pretzels with mustard, sharp cheddar cheese, or savory pork sliders. I’ve also enjoyed them alongside spiced nuts or a rustic charcuterie board with apple slices and crackers. They cut through savory and salty really well.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday party, I like to serve this Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe in festive mason jars with twine and a cinnamon stick tied around the neck. Or you can serve them in hollowed-out mini pumpkins—trust me, it really impresses guests and amps up that fall vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Since this recipe is essentially a frozen slush, I just keep leftovers sealed in the same freezer bag, flattened as much as possible, and stored in the freezer. When I want more, I just thaw it slightly at room temperature before scooping out another slushie serving.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully thanks to the alcohol content which prevents total solidification. Just make sure to store it in an airtight bag or container to avoid freezer burn or absorbing other flavors.

Reheating

Since it’s a slushy, reheating isn’t exactly needed. But if you find it too solid, simply leave it on the counter for 10-15 minutes to soften up before serving. Stir gently once thawed for an even texture.

FAQs

Can I use regular rum instead of spiced rum in the Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe?

Absolutely! Regular rum works fine, but the spiced rum adds warm notes like cinnamon and vanilla that complement apple cider wonderfully. If you prefer plain rum, consider adding a dash of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick during the freezing process.
How long can I store the Apple Cider Rum Slushies in the freezer?

You can keep the slushies in the freezer for up to 2 weeks without losing flavor or texture. Beyond that, you might notice some freezer burn or dulling of flavors, so it’s best enjoyed fresh or within that timeframe.
My slushies froze too hard; how can I fix this?

This can happen if there’s too little alcohol or your freezer runs very cold. The fix is to let the slush sit at room temp for 10-15 minutes to soften before serving. Next time, try increasing the rum slightly or reduce freeze time.
Can I make this Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe non-alcoholic?

Yes! Simply skip the rum and freeze the cider with a bit of lemon juice or gingerale for fizz. The texture will be icier without alcohol, so be sure to stir occasionally during freezing.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cider Rum Slushies Recipe is one of those easy, tasty treats that feels special yet requires so little effort—pretty much my favorite combo. The balance of sweet apple and warming spices in an icy, slushy form always gets rave reviews at my parties. I hope you enjoy making (and drinking!) it as much as I do. Once you whip these up, don’t be surprised if it becomes a staple in your fall and winter drink rotation. Cheers to cold drinks with warm flavors!