This cozy Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail combines the warmth of bourbon with the crispness of apple cider, balanced by a touch of maple syrup and a splash of lemon juice. Perfect for fall, it's a rich, comforting drink to enjoy throughout the season.
Why You'll Love This Cocktail Recipe
- You can't beat the combination of bourbon's oaky, vanilla, and warm spice notes with the deep, rich apple flavors of fresh cider. It's like fall in a glass!
- The spicy, sweet cinnamon sugar rim makes a fun and festive garnish for your glass.
- Whether you're making one cocktail or several, all you have to do is stir the ingredients together in the glass.
For more creative cocktail recipes made with fresh ingredients, check out my Ginger Rhubarb Gin Cocktail, Pomegranate Rosemary Cocktail, and Blackcurrant Mojito. If you like whiskey drinks, you'll also enjoy this Cherry Whiskey Sour.
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🍏 Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make an apple cider whiskey cocktail:
- Bourbon Whiskey - A good bourbon with notes of oak, caramel, and vanilla will pair nicely with the cider's sweet, deep apple flavor. Use whichever bourbon you prefer. The Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is one good option.
- Apple Cider - This beverage's base is freshly pressed apple cider from a local orchard. Make sure to use cider, not juice, which is too sweet and lacks flavor. I don't mean hard cider, either.
- Maple Syrup - Adds complex sweetness and flavor.
- Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice adds a little tartness to help balance the cocktail.
- Sugar - To make a cinnamon sugar rim on the glass.
- Cinnamon and cinnamon sticks - Used for making the cinnamon sugar rim and to garnish the cocktail.
- Apple - For slicing and serving as a cocktail garnish.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
🍯 Substitutions and Variations
- Garnishes - This drink has a few garnishes - a cinnamon stick, a slice of apple, and a cinnamon sugar rim. You can leave out any or all of these as you like.
- Sweetness - If you would like a less sweet cocktail, you can leave out the maple syrup or reduce it to ½ ounce. Or if maple syrup isn't handy, try honey instead.
- Bitters - If you have bitters, a few dashes would be a nice addition to the cocktail.
- Make a batch of cocktails - Prep the cinnamon sugar glass rim in advance and combine the cocktail ingredients in a pitcher so they're ready to go. To serve, fill the prepped glasses with ice and top with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.
🥄 Instructions
How to make an apple cider whiskey cocktail.
- Step 1: Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow dish. Wet the edge of your glass and roll in the cinnamon sugar to coat.
- Step 2: Pour the apple cider and bourbon into the glass.
- Step 3: Add maple syrup and lemon juice.
- Step 4: Add a few ice cubes and stir to combine.
- Step 5: Garnish the cocktail with a cinnamon stick and a slice of apple.
- Step 6: Top off with more ice, and serve.
🍋 Top Tip
Don't be afraid to adjust the amounts of lemon juice and maple syrup to meet your preferences.
🤔 FAQ
Bourbon is one of the best liquors to add to apple cider because its vanilla and caramel flavors make a perfect pairing with sweet cider. Dark and spiced rums are also good options.
The best bourbon to pair with apple cider is the one you enjoy the most that also works for your budget. You don't need to use top-shelf liquor when mixing, so aim for something mid-range.
A good, freshly pressed apple cider from a local orchard should taste delicious as is. If not, find a better quality cider. You can add many different ingredients to compliment and enhance cider, from liquors to spices to other fruit juices.
🍗 Pairing
These recipes would go great with this apple cider whiskey cocktail:
📖 Recipe
Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
This cozy Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail combines the warmth of bourbon with the crispness of apple cider, balanced by a touch of maple syrup and a splash of lemon juice. Perfect for fall, it's a rich, comforting drink to enjoy throughout the season.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 ounces apple cider
- 1 ½ ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce maple syrup
- cinnamon sticks and apple slices for serving
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon on a plate and mix well. Wet the outside edge of a cocktail glass and roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
- Add the apple cider, bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup to the glass. Add ice and stir to combine. Top with additional ice as desired. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
Use 1 ounce of lemon juice for a more tart drink.
If you prefer less sweet cocktails, start with just a half ounce of maple syrup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stirring
- Cuisine: American
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Mirandamom says
This makes a delicious drink. For me, it was a bit potent— and I’m not referring to the alcohol level, which was perfect. It’s just strongly flavored, and I preferred it diluted with a bit of water. I’ll be handing these around on Christmas Eve.
Steve says
It's a great drink for Christmas Eve! Glad you're enjoying it.
Dee says
This was such a balanced cocktail - the cinnamon sugar rum looks pretty, but is not needed as the maple syrup sweetens it enough so I would consider that optional. A
Steve says
I'm happy you enjoyed the cocktail, Dee!