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.
In a mason jar or a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients except the ginger beer, give it 15-20 good shakes.
Add ice to a cocktail glass, place sieve over the top and strain the apple cider bourbon into the glass. Top with ginger beer, give it a gentle stir, garnish as desired.
Notes
Variations & Substitutions
Replace the balsamic vinegar with lemon juice or sweet maple syrup.
Use apple juice in place of apple cider, if desired - add a dash of cinnamon if you want it spicier.
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, ginger kombucha and grapefruit mixer—all super delicious!
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.
Apple Bourbon Smash by the PitcherThe following recipe is intended to serve four but can easily double for a larger crowd.
8 ounces apple cider (1 cup)
3 teaspoons orange zest (zest from one orange)
½ cup orange juice, fresh squeezed is best
7-8 tablespoons bourbon or whiskey (about 4 ounces bourbon)
4 tablespoons apple butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract or bourbon vanilla extract
2-3 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar
Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale
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!