Fall in love with what will surely be your new favorite fall drink, Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail. This simple recipe is seriously amazing - cheers to falling leaves, chilly weather & tasty alcohol. Yes, that's a lot of fall y'all!
Why this Bourbon Drink with Apple Cider Recipe is the Best: it has all the best flavors of Autumn thanks to the combination of crisp, sweet, and tart cider and the caramel vanilla notes that comes with bourbon. So yummy!
I admit, I adore this recipe for Halloween. Serving this with my Candy Corn Martini is the perfect party trick or treat for adults at costume parties! It's also tasty for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
If you are hosting a party with all ages, pair this up with my Apple Cider Mocktail that kids & others that want alcohol-free drinks will love. Ok, now let's get mixing!
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Ingredients
Here is the short list of all you need. Just 4 ingredients plus some items if you want a fun festive rim or garnish.
It is best served over ice in a low ball or whiskey glass. No fancy bar equipment required - Easy Peasy!
Here are important notes for some ingredients:
- Bourbon - the American whiskey is the star of this beverage. I am using Bulleit but other popular brands include Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, or Knob Creek.
- Apple Cider - real cider that is filtered or unfiltered will work; do not use apple juice.
- Lemon - for both the juice and to garnish.
- Simple Syrup - additional sweetness to mellow the drink.
- Cinnamon Sugar - for a fancy rim and a spiced flavor.
- Optional Garnishes - apple slices or cinnamon stick
See the recipe card for full list, quantities, & any substitutions/variations.
How to Make
This drink is similar to an old-fashioned, without the bitters which I love. It's smooth, sugary, & sensational.
Here are the simple steps for making an Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail:
- Prep the Glass
- Pour & Stir
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Prep the Glass
If you do not want a cinnamon sugar rim, you can skip this step. But trust me it makes it extra yummy.
Roll the rim of the glass in a a bit of water on a small plate. Repeat the same in a plate of cinnamon sugar as seen above.
Next add cubed (or crushed) ice to fill the glass about ⅓ full.
2 - Pour & Stir
You can make 1 or 2 of these at a time, just measure it out one by one. Or make a pitcher and multiple by 10 for a big batch.
To the glass add the apple cider.
Next add the bourbon.
Add in the tablespoon of simple syrup.
Finish it with the juice of half a lemon. Stir and top with a slice of lemon.
Serving
Additional garnishes include a thinly sliced apple on the edge or floating on top. For extra kick add a cinnamon stick to stir in while sipping.
See recipe card notes for a warm version of this instead of serving it over the rocks.
If you are hosting a fall event or Halloween, pair these with any of my easy Halloween Appetizers & Finger Foods. You guests will go ghoulish for them all.
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here's my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, fun stories, recipe history, and more.
- #1 Tip - do not substitute apple juice for the cider.
- If you like spiced cocktail try a Burt Reynolds Shot made with spiced rum.
- No simple syrup, use maple syrup as a substitute.
- Want a SPICY version, substitute half the regular whiskey with fireball whisky for a hot cinnamon.
- Try a giant ice cube like used in whisky drins instead of cute or crushed ice for a fancy look like your favorite bar would serve. Or a LED lighted cube for spooky Halloween vibes.
- Pour yourself one of these to enjoy while handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters! I have a few friends I know that will probably be doing just that.
FAQ
Not exactly. All bourbon is whiskey but not whiskey is considered bourbon. Bourbon must be American made and has strick distilling requirements such as must be at least 51% corn and must be aged in new charred oak barrels.
Scotch is a type of whisky exclusively made in Scotland. Though similar, I have not tried it in this recipe. Scotch tends to be more smoky vs sweet like bourbon so I personally wouldn't recommend it.
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Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 ounces apple cider filtered or unfiltered
- 2 ounces bourbon Bulleit, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Maker's Mark, etc.
- ½ ounce simple syrup (1 tablespoon for easy measuring)
- 1 lemon cut in half
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar
- ice crushed or cubed
- cinnamon stick, slice of lemon or apple optional garnishes
Instructions
- Take a whiskey glass or low ball cocktail glass, roll the rim in water on a small plate. Then dip into cinnamon and sugar poured onto a second plate. Spin glass to cover the rim evenly. Fill half of a low ball or whiskey glass with ice.1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar, ice
- To the glass add the remaining ingredients plus the juice of half a lemon. Stir to chill in the ice.3 ounces apple cider, 2 ounces bourbon, ½ ounce simple syrup, 1 lemon
- Garnish with a slice of lemon, apple, or cinnamon stick. Sip & Enjoy!cinnamon stick, slice of lemon or apple
Notes
- Use maple syrup instead of simple syrup for even more fall vibes.
- Apple cider is key for this, apple juice is not recommended but can be an "emergency replacement".
Nutrition
More Holiday Cocktail Recipes
Here are some similar recipes that are great for fall & winter holidays:
Ginny says
Delicious! My girlfriends & I have made this twice so far at parties.
Angela says
Sounds like a fun party! I am glad you are enjoying this bourbon drink with friends.