Warm the cider and cinnamon gently as written, then take out the stick before adding caramel. The caramel should dissolve into the liquid rather than remain as a heavy layer at the bottom. A whisk can reach that layer more effectively when the cinnamon stick is no longer in its path. Use the recipe amount first instead of judging sweetness from the sauce bottle alone.
Set out heatproof mugs before finishing the saucepan. Thin apple slices make a manageable garnish; serve the extra slices alongside rather than crowding every mug. Allow the drink to cool to a comfortable sipping temperature. This is a warm serving recipe, not a hot-holding plan for an unattended pot throughout a gathering; make the amount you intend to serve now.
Timing and servings are estimates. Equipment, ingredients and portion sizes affect the result.
