Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

With its comforting citrusy ingredients, this Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail recipe will warm your soul on these chilly autumn evenings. Fresh apple butter, classic apple cider, rich vanilla, and orange flavors beautifully blend with bourbon’s sweet and bitter notes.

The fall season is one of my favorite times to create unique cocktail recipes to make the holidays feel extra special. For more ideas, check out my Maple Whiskey Sour and delicious Hot Buttered Rum and must make Chai Tea Latte. 

This recipe serves one but can be easily adjusted to serve more! I’ll show you how!

Simple Ingredients for Apple Bourbon Smash

• Apple cider | Spiced or regular apple cider steals the spotlight in this tasty autumn cocktail.
• Orange zest and orange juice | A little orange zest adds a kick of bitter citrus. And the orange juice completes this flavor.
• Bourbon or whiskey | For this fall cocktail, you can use bourbon or whiskey, whichever you prefer.
• Apple butter | Apple butter brings all the fall spices needed for this seasonal drink, like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and more! Try my Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe for an extra homemade touch.
• Vanilla | Add a couple of drops of warm vanilla extract for a bit of richness. Or, check out my Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract Recipe for a more unique taste.
• Balsamic vinegar | This sweet-yet-sour ingredient balances out the flavors in this cocktail. If preferred, you can use a squeeze of lemon instead.
• Ginger beer | I recommend using ginger beer to top it all off. However, you may swap it for similar drinks like ginger ale or ginger kombucha.

How to Make an Apple Cider Whiskey

This bourbon cocktail recipe can be quickly made with store-bought ingredients. Likewise, you can choose a healthy version and make the ingredients at home. The amount of effort is up to how fast you need that drink! 😉

For the totally homemade version of this apple cider cocktail, you will want to prepare the homemade apple cider, apple butter (see my recipe below), and orange juice before getting started. 

Additionally, you’ll need a cocktail shaker. If you don’t have one handy, a quart sized lidded mason jar works just as well! 

Measure out and combine all the ingredients in the cocktail shaker or jar, starting with apple cider, apple butter, bourbon (or whiskey) and orange juice.

Then add the vanilla, orange zest and balsamic vinegar if using (gives it a bright, beautiful balance). Cover and shake it well 15-20 times.

Next, add some ice cubes or crushed ice to a cocktail glass and place a bar sieve over the top to strain the apple cider bourbon into the glass. 

Now, all you need to do is top it off with bubbly ginger beer, give it a gentle stir, and garnish the glass as desired.

Garnish

A couple of honey crisp apple slices, an orange slice, a cinnamon stick, fresh rosemary, or a sprig of thyme are some stunning garnish ideas for this apple bourbon smash cocktail.

Variations & Substitutions

Never hesitate to make a recipe your own! Get creative and personalize this cocktail. Here are some ideas you can try:

• Replace the balsamic vinegar with lemon juice or sweet maple syrup.
• Use apple juice in place of apple cider, if desired.
• Use cinnamon whisky instead of bourbon for a cinnamon apple smash—YUM!
• For lighter drinkers, this recipe easily splits between two smaller glasses. Just add some additional ginger beer.
• If your guests don’t enjoy ginger beer, I’ve also made this drink with club soda, sparkling water, and grapefruit mixer—all super delicious!

Storage Tips

Make Ahead | You can assemble everything but the ginger beer ahead of time if you prefer and chill well in the refrigerator until ready to serve, strain into ice filled glasses and top with ginger beer.

Store any leftovers in the fridge up to 2 days in airtight container.

To-go | If you’re traveling with these ingredients for a family get-together, make it all ahead leaving out the bourbon (no open containers) and the ginger beer. Be sure to store the orange zest and juice, the apple slices (or other garnishes), and the Ginger beer in a small cooler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe adapted from Half Baked Harvest.

Place apple cider, fresh orange zest, bourbon, and apple butter in a large mason jar or cocktail shaker and shake until well combined. 

Then, strain the mixture into a pitcher. Pour in the orange juice, vanilla extract, and balsamic vinegar and give it a good stir. 

Leave the concentrate in the pitcher and allow guests to pour their own drink over ice, topping off with some ginger beer! 

Enjoy!

If you are looking for more Apple Cider cocktails, try these Apple Cider Margarita, Apple Cider Sangria, Martinis with Apple Cider or this Apple Pie Moscow Mule.

Festive Foods to Serve with this Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

Looking for some festive sweets and treats to pair with this cocktail? Check out the ideas below:

• Fall Charcuterie Board
• Copycat Panera Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
• Gluten-Free Apple Pie with Crumb Topping
• Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake Recipe
• Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
• Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon & Dates
• Goat Cheese Log with Hot Honey, Fig and Pistachios
• Contrast this drink with this easy Spiced Holiday Sangria

September and October just scream (pun intended) apple everything and this drink will easily become a favorite!

Try my other popular cocktails

• Cranberry Bourbon Sour Cocktail
• Cherry Bomb Recipe | Cherry Bourbon Smash
• Tangerine and Thyme Gin & Tonic
• Hibiscus Dark and Stormy Drink Recipe

I hope you loved this recipe for Apple Bourbon Smash — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!