Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

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PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Bourbon

Great for

Winter

Difficulty

Easy

Close up of a glass of Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

There’s something about autumn that calls for warm and inviting flavours. During these nostalgic colder months, we reach for pumpkin spiced lattes, butternut soups, pecan pies, and cosy casseroles. It’s a season that begs to be draped in comfort, and our warmly spiced Bourbon Apple Cider cocktail recipe is just what you need to get those cheeks glowing. 

The perfect apple cider and bourbon cocktail is full of flavour—the rich tones of caramel and vanilla pair perfectly with the sweet apple and sourness of the lemon, and while this winter warmer should be robust enough to help you through the coldest day, it should also be gentle enough so that you and your loved ones can enjoy more than just one.

Bourbon Apple Cider cocktail recipe

There are loads of different apple cider bourbon cocktail recipe variations, and this is our favourite. If you find yourself reading this on the kind of dreary evening that needs sugar and spice and all things nice, this recipe might just be the pick-me-up that you and your friends need. 

QUICK TIPS

01

Brush lemon juice over apple slices to keep them from browning.

02

Apple cider will stay fresh for a week once opened. Keep it in the fridge!

03

For a sweet twist, dip the rim of your cocktail glass into apple cider, and then into cinnamon sugar. Delicious! 

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

30 Ml

1 Oz

1 Parts

Apple cider
30 Ml

1 Oz

1 Parts

15 Ml

0.5 Oz

0.5 Parts

Lemon juice
15 Ml

0.5 Oz

0.5 Parts

Orange bitters
Apple slices to garnish
A sprig of thyme to garnish
Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

01

Add ice to a large mixing glass or cocktail shaker

02

Pour in the bourbon, cider, sweet vermouth, lemon juice and bitters

03

Stir until chilled (about 30 seconds)

04

Strain into any cocktail glass of your choice

05

Garnish with a few apple slices and a sprig of thyme

Secret ingredients

Every decent recipe has a few secret ingredients, and there are a few twists you can try for your apple cider bourbon cocktail.  

  • For a sweet twist, dip the rim of your cocktail glass into apple cider, and then into cinnamon sugar and garnish with a cinnamon stick and cocktail cherries. 
  • For a lighter apple cider cocktail, leave out the vermouth and orange bitters, and stir together the bourbon, apple cider, and lemon juice. Strain into a short glass filled with ice and top with ginger beer.   
  • For a sweeter drink that’s lower in alcohol, replace the apple cider with apple juice. 

Can you make a non-alcoholic Apple Cider cocktail?

Even though apple cider and bourbon are the perfect match, there are some great apple cider mocktails that will give you the same satisfaction and warmth as this autumn classic. 

For an easy apple cider mocktail, pour apple cider into a highball glass. Add a dash of maple syrup and apple cider vinegar and stir until combined. Top with ice and ginger beer, then garnish with sliced apple, a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of rosemary.

To make a warm apple cider mocktail combine apple cider, sugar, cinnamon, star anise, whole cloves, orange juice and peel in a pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the whole spices from the liquid and strain into mugs. 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Dark spirits like bourbon, whiskey, brandy, and rum work well with apple cider for easy winter cocktails. Vodka and tequila work equally well if you’re looking for a lighter drink on a warm day.  

We suggest a medium-range bourbon, like Wild Turkey. With its vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel notes, it’s a great choice for any bourbon Christmas cocktail. 

Yes, the beauty of this recipe is that you can make a batch in advance, which makes it perfect for those festive season get-togethers. When your guests arrive, simply add the ice, stir it up, pour into glasses, garnish and serve.