Description
This Caramel Apple Cider Reduction Shake is a creamy, indulgent autumn treat combining rich vanilla ice cream with a deeply flavored spiced apple cider reduction and salted caramel sauce for a perfect balance of sweet and spiced notes. It’s an easy-to-make drink that transforms warm spiced cider into a luscious shake, ideal for cozy seasonal gatherings or a luxurious dessert beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Apple Cider Reduction
- 2 cups spiced apple cider
For the Shake
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce (or to taste)
Instructions
- Reduce the cider: Pour 2 cups of spiced apple cider into a saucepan and heat over high until it boils. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1/2 cup of liquid. This takes approximately 15 minutes in a large saucepan.
- Chill the reduction: Transfer the reduced cider to a container and chill completely. You can either freeze it for one hour or refrigerate it for 2 to 3 hours until fully cooled.
- Blend the shake: In a blender, combine 2 cups of vanilla ice cream, the chilled cider reduction, and 2 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce. Blend until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more regular apple cider if the shake is too thick or more ice cream if too thin.
- Serve and garnish: Pour the shake into glasses and drizzle additional salted caramel sauce on top for an elegant finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Spiced apple cider can be homemade or store-bought; spices typically include cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Adjust caramel sauce quantity to your preferred sweetness level.
- For a thicker shake, use less additional cider and more ice cream.
- The reduction step can take longer with smaller saucepans; patience is key for concentrated flavor.
- Best served chilled; you can prepare the reduction a day ahead.
