Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

This apple cider bourbon cocktail is perfect for fall. Fresh apple cider and bourbon are a perfect match. With a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon, this easy bourbon and apple cider mixed drink will be your new fall favorite.

I’ll give you variations and substitutions where I can, plus helpful tips and tricks for success. Read on for this info as well as the recipe. If you’d like to skip straight to the recipe, use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.

You may also be interested in my Tom and Jerry drink and my blood orange white wine spritzer recipes. For ease of browsing, you can find all of my cocktail recipes in one place.

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Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

If you are a bourbon drinker, you probably already realize that it pairs beautifully with apple cider. Bourbon has notes of vanilla and caramel, and a bit of sweetness, as well as spice.

If you’ve eaten apple pie or a caramel apple, those flavors are very familiar.

Ingredients

For the cocktail, you’ll need apple cider, bourbon, nutmeg and ice.

To make the cinnamon sugar rim, you’ll need sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and a bit of lemon.

How to make an apple cider bourbon cocktail

First, combine the ingredients for the cinnamon sugar rim in a small, shallow bowl. Coat the edge of the glass with lemon, then dip the outside edge of the glass into the mixture.

Continue turning glass until the entire edge is coated. You can also dip the entire rim of the glass into the mixture. If you do this, don’t twist as you dip. Tap the glass into the mixture to coat.

Then, combine drink ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Pour over a large cube of ice in prepared glasses and serve.

Q&A

Here are a few answers to frequently asked questions I’ve been asked over the years.

Variations and substitutions

Try pairing apple cider with a similar spirit – rye instead of bourbon. Rye is generally less sweet than bourbon, although they are both types of whiskey.

You can also enjoy this drink without the bourbon. I’ve made a non-alcoholic version, and it is delicious. You could also try it warm instead of cold.

Caramel apple whiskey cocktail

Try adding a tablespoon of caramel syrup to this cocktail. You could also swap out the regular bourbon for an apple whiskey or salty caramel whiskey.

Experiment with different flavors to find your new favorite fall bourbon cocktail.

Helpful tools and equipment

• Cocktail shaker set – Includes drink shaker, spoon and measuring jigger.
• Lemon zester / channel knife – to make citrus garnish
• Old fashioned whiskey glasses – heavy bottomed glasses, nice set for a gift.
• Large ice cube molds – this set includes square and sphere

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Post originally published in 2012.