This Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail is the perfect fall cocktail to sip on a chilly night by the fire. The spiced and slightly sweet apple cider pairs perfectly with the warm rich bourbon, then finish with some lemon juice for acid and ginger beer for a little fizzy kick. Even your non bourbon drinker friend or family member will love it.
Ingredients
A few flavorful simple ingredients make my favorite bourbon cocktail, it's the perfect drink to serve at a fall gathering or a cozy night in.
- Apple cider: Any fresh apple cider from the store or your local farm works great. Trader Joe's has a good one in their refrigerator section.
- If you can't find apple cider, it'll be sweeter but I'd suggest using unfiltered apple juice.
- Bourbon: Since this is a mixed drink you can use really any brand of bourbon – some of my favorite brands are Woodford Reserve, Widow Jane, Maker’s Mark, or Bulleit Bourbon.
- Lemon juice: a splash of lemon juice, always. Adds a little brightness. If you don't have lemon juice, a squeeze of fresh orange juice would also be great.
- Ginger beer: Non-alcoholic ginger beer is what we’re looking for here. Fever Tree, Reed’s, Bundaberg, Gosling, or Barritts are great options. If you can't find ginger beer, ginger ale is a good substitution,.
How to make
This apple cider bourbon cocktail is easy as can be, no special simple syrup or ingredients that need to be cooked separately, making it an especially great cocktail to throw together when you're hosting and have a bunch of other things going on.
1. Pour apple cider, bourbon, and lemon juice into a measuring glass. Stir together.
2. Fill a rocks glass with a handful of ice, pour the apple cider mixture in, then with ginger beer.
Tips and tricks
- If you have whiskey at home but not specifically bourbon, that is fine! The drink may just be a little less sweet – bourbon has more notes of vanilla and warm spices.
- That’s why I think bourbon is great in this cocktail because the flavors work really well in combination with the hint of sweetness of the cider and bright lemon juice to balance it out.
- If you are making a few at a time, add the ingredients into a cocktail shaker (except the ginger beer) with a little ice and shake to combine, then pour over ice and top with the ginger beer.
- Never shake a drink that has carbonation, it’ll spray everywhere. Add the carbonation after shaking.
- If you want to look fancy, garnish the drink with a cinnamon stick or star anise and an apple slice, or do a cinnamon sugar rim.
- If you have a ton of fresh apples, I'd suggest trying to make a homemade apple cider recipe if you want to be really impressive.
- If you want to make a non-alcoholic version, skip the bourbon.
FAQs
Sure! Just leave out the ginger beer and pour that when you are ready to serve.
Bourbon is a type of whiskey.
No, not necessarily – both typically have around 40% ABV.
I wouldn't unless you omit the ginger beer.
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📖 Recipe
Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 oz apple cider
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 1 oz ginger beer
Instructions
- Pour apple cider, bourbon, and lemon juice into a measuring glass. Stir together.
- Fill a rocks glass with a handful of ice, pour the apple cider mixture in, then with ginger beer.
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