Easy Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail {VIDEO}
Apple cider takes on a grown-up twist with the addition of bourbon in this delicious Apple Cider Cocktail. Made easy with just a handful of ingredients it’s the perfect excuse to throw a fall gathering.
Be sure to sign up for my email… to get new recipes and ideas in your inbox!
We just love fall cocktails like Pumpkin Spice Hot Buttered Rum, Smashing Pumpkin Cocktail and Mulled Wine, or Glühwein as it’s called in German-speaking countries.
Easy Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
As soon as I spot the grocery stores stocking apple cider, I jump for joy an immediately start thinking about all the recipes I can make with it. This year my first apple cider recipe is one of my new favorites and will be one I plan on making all season long. This easy bourbon apple cider cocktail will have you ditching all your pumpkin beer and PSL’s this fall.
Because who said fall has to be all about the pumpkin? Mixed with fresh apple cider, ginger beer, and just enough bourbon to warm you up on a chilly night, it’s the epitome of autumn and you need it in your life.
So let’s not waste any more time, because the leaves are changing as we speak, it’s time to celebrate the season the right way, with as many apple recipes as possible.
What’s In A Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail?
- Apple cider
- Bourbon
- Lemon juice
- Ginger beer or ginger ale
- Apple slice, thyme sprig and cinnamon stick for garnish
What Kind Of Bourbon Should I Use?
Any mid-range bourbon will work for this recipe. I used Jim Beam and loved it, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand, or whatever brand you prefer.
You could also swap out the bourbon for any other dark liquor you prefer if bourbon isn’t your liquor of choice. I would stay away from the clear liquors like vodka or gin though because you really need the flavors that dark liquor bings to make this cocktail have all those great fall flavors we love.
How To Make This Easy Bourbon Cocktail
This recipe is eas easy as {apple} pie 😉 and will give you ALL of those fall feelings. You only need a few simple tools and it can be thrown together in minutes. So, if you randomly get in the mood for a fall cocktail this season, you’ll want to keep everything on hand to make this cocktail.
To mix up this creation you’ll just fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the cider, bourbon and lemon juice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
Then top it off with ginger ale or ginger beer and garnish with an apple slice, cinnamon stick and thyme sprig.
Can I Make This Apple Cider Cocktail Without Alcohol?
Yes! Good news, this is a cocktail that can be made without alcohol, and still, taste delicious. I never want anyone to miss out on all the seasonal recipes I love so much, which means I want to make sure anyone and everyone can enjoy an ice-cold glass of this apple cider drink.
To make this recipe as a mocktail, just follow the directions below, and skip the bourbon. You don’t have to replace it with anything else, just omit the bourbon and you have yourself a delicious fall drink everyone will love.
Can I Make My Bourbon Cocktail In Advance?
None of the ingredients in this drink is anything that needs to sit or soak into each other, so there is no need to make the drink in advance. I actually suggest waiting until shortly before you want to serve it so it stays nice and ice cold and your ice doesn’t melt at all.
Apple Cider Cocktail FAQs
Our recipe here is for 1 serving (a little over 7 ounces). There are 128 ounces in a gallon and 128 divided by 7 would be about 18. So if you multiplied all of the ingredients in our recipe by 18 you should have about a gallon.
For one gallon, I would use:
54 ounces apple cider
36 ounces bourbon
2 ounces lemon juice
36 ounces ginger beer
Mix the cider, bourbon, and lemon juice ahead of time and keep in the fridge to stay cold. Wait to add the ginger beer until you’re just about to serve it—if you add it too far ahead of time, it will go flat. To serve, pour into glasses filled with fresh ice.
SURE. for the most part, apple cider is basically unfiltered apple juice. Cider will usually have a tangier taste.
You can make mulled cider cocktail, much like mulled wine. You would not use the ginger beer and I would swap out the lemon juice for orange juice. Warm the apple cider and orange juice in a small pot on the stove with a cinnamon stick, star of anise, and a pinch of cloves and nutmeg. Bring to a low simmer (barley boiling), then warm on low for at least an hour. Stir in the bourbon, garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick and enjoy.
Make This Apple Cider Cocktail At Your Next Party
This apple cider cocktail would make the best attendee at your first fall party of the season. Just imagine everyone around a fire roasting marshmallows while sipping on this cozy apple drink that will warm your soul.
To make your next party really over the top, it needs to be about more than just the company and the drinks. Make it a whole experience everyone will remember and set up this gourmet smores bar. It is always a hit when I break out the smores bar, not only tasty but so fun!
Don’t Miss Out On All The Apple Recipes This Season!
Apple Pie Bars With Crumb Topping – Easier than apple pie and just as delicious. Made with fresh apples and a buttery crumb topping, they are sturdy enough to eat with your hands.
Fried Apples Recipe – Fresh apples, sugar, and butter-fried on the stovetop with cinnamon…so delicious! Learn how to make fried apples for breakfast, dessert, snacks, or even as a side dish!
Apple and Brown Sugar Coffee Cake – This easy-to-follow recipe with all the taste of fall pairs perfectly with a morning cup of coffee.
Easy Apple Pumpkin Cupcakes – A scrumptious harvest treat; optional to serve as cupcakes with no frosting as a breakfast or snack muffin!
Caramel Apple Moscow Mule – Perfect for autumn! Made with sweet caramel vodka, fresh apple cider, and ginger beer it’s sure to become the official cocktail of fall!
Apple Cider Pumpkin Beer Shandy – The perfect addition to your holiday menu. Made with delicious apple cider and pumpkin beer and garnished with fresh apples, pomegranate seeds, and rosemary
Like This Apple Cider Cocktail? Pin It!
Tools used to make this Easy Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
Bar Shaker: cocktail shaker will not only look great on your bar cart, but it also helps you make amazing bar-quality cocktails!
Farm Fresh Tumbler: I love the farmhouse look of these cups and they couldn’t be more perfect for this cocktail. It makes me feel like its a drink they serve at an apple orchard.
Originally posted in December 2011. UPDATED November 2022. We spiffed up this post with more info and photos.
Easy Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
Apple cider takes on a grown-up twist with the addition of bourbon in this delicious Apple Cider Cocktail. Made easy with just a handful of ingredients it's the perfect excuse to throw a fall gathering.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 ounces ginger beer or ginger ale
- apple slice, thyme sprig and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add cider, bourbon and lemon juice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into ice-filled rocks glass.
- Top off with ginger ale or ginger beer.
- Garnish with apple slice, cinnamon stick and thyme sprig.
Notes
To make a large batch
for one gallon I would use:
- 54 ounces apple cider
- 36 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounces lemon juice
- 36 ounces ginger beer
Mix the cider, bourbon and lemon juice ahead of time and keep in the fridge to stay cold. Wait to add the ginger beer until you’re just about to serve it—if you add it too far ahead of time, it will go flat.
To serve, pour into glasses filled with fresh ice.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 203Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 17gProtein: 0g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Tidymom is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Please respect my work, recipes and photographs. If you do use a recipe in your own writing, please give proper credit and link back to the original post.
Have you had that special Angry Orchard Hard Cider that is made in old bourbon barrels? This reminds me of that. What a fun, autumnal drink!
I’m really excited to try this cocktail, bourbon and apples are always so good together!
I would never of thought to put these flavors together but wow this sounds good!
This drink is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spice! Try freezing the cider, bourbon, and lemon and then adding the ginger beer to make a slush. Yum!
Any suggestions for making a large quantity? Like for one gallon how much of what?
Did you ever get a reply about making a large batch of this drink? I am hosting a fall fest for my neighbors and would like to make a couple of gallons.
Our recipe here is for 1 serving (a little over 7 ounces). There are 128 ounces in a gallon and 128 divided by 7 would be about 18. So if you multiplied all of the ingredients in our recipe by 18 you should have about a gallon.
So for one gallon I would use:
54 ounces apple cider
36 ounces bourbon
2 ounces lemon juice
36 ounces ginger beer
Mix the cider, bourbon and lemon juice ahead of time and keep in the fridge to stay cold. Wait to add the ginger beer until you’re just about to serve it—if you add it too far ahead of time, it will go flat. To serve, pour into glasses filled with fresh ice.
Report back if you make a large batch!! Enjoy!
Can you use apple juice in place of the apple cider?
SURE. for the most part, apple cider is basically unfiltered apple juice. Cider will usually have a tangier taste.
How about a warmed version?
How many drinks would bulk recipe render?
the one gallon recipe should yield approximately 18 (7 ounce) cocktails
Could you use diet ginger beer?
Sure!!