This Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail combines fresh apple cider, bourbon, lemon juice and thyme simple syrup for a crisp, balanced fall drink. The fresh cider gives you plenty of apple flavor, lemon keeps it from getting too sweet, and thyme adds an herbal twist that works really well with the bourbon.
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What Makes This Different
- Fresh cider is the star. With 2½ ounces per drink, you really taste the apple, but there's still enough bourbon to warm things up.
- Lemon keeps everything balanced. A half ounce of fresh lemon juice cuts the sweetness of the cider and syrup and keeps the drink bright.
- Thyme changes the whole feel of the cocktail. Instead of adding more traditional fall spices, I use fresh thyme in the simple syrup. It gives the drink a light herbal flavor that pairs especially well with apple and bourbon.
- You can get ahead of it. Make the thyme simple syrup up to two weeks in advance, or batch the cocktail up to four hours before serving and shake individual portions over ice as guests arrive.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
- Bourbon: Use a bourbon you already enjoy drinking. There's a full two ounces in every cocktail, so you'll definitely taste it. You don't need your fanciest bottle, just one you'd happily drink on its own. We used Bulleit.
- Fresh apple cider: Cider is the biggest pour in this drink, so use fresh apple cider rather than clear apple juice. It has a fuller apple flavor that holds its own against the bourbon. If fresh cider isn't available, look for a high-quality pure pressed apple juice instead; it will usually look a little cloudy rather than completely clear. Regular clear apple juice has a different flavor (and is usually sweeter), so the finished cocktail won't taste quite the same.
- Fresh lemon juice: Don't skip this one. The cider and simple syrup both bring sweetness, and the lemon is what keeps the cocktail from tasting heavy. Freshly squeezed juice is worth it here.
- Sugar and fresh thyme: These are combined with water to make the thyme simple syrup. You won't take a sip and think "thyme," but it gives the cocktail a light herbal flavor that works really well with the apple and bourbon. In a pinch, regular simple syrup works, but I think the thyme version is worth the extra 20 minutes.
How to Make a Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
There are really only two parts: make the thyme syrup, then shake the drink.
Make the Syrup
Heat the sugar and water just until the sugar dissolves, then remove the pan from the heat. Add the thyme and let it steep for 20 minutes. Strain and cool completely.
Shake, Strain and serve
Add bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice and thyme simple syrup to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pour into a glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with thyme and/or thin apple slices.
Before You Make This
Add the thyme off the heat. The hot syrup is enough to pull the flavor from the thyme; you don't need to simmer the herbs. Let them steep for the full 20 minutes before straining.
Cool the syrup first. Warm syrup starts melting the ice as soon as it hits the shaker. I like to make the syrup ahead and keep it in the refrigerator so it's cold when I'm ready to mix drinks.
Give it the full 30-second shake. The outside of the shaker should feel very cold before you strain the drink. That tells you the cocktail is properly chilled and ready to pour.
Make Ahead and Serving a Crowd
The thyme simple syrup can be made up to two weeks ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. One batch makes enough for about six cocktails.
You can also batch the cocktails up to four hours before serving. For six drinks, combine:
- 15 ounces fresh apple cider
- 12 ounces bourbon
- 3 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 3 ounces thyme simple syrup
Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Don't add ice to the pitcher or the drinks will start diluting before you serve them.
When guests arrive, pour about 5½ ounces of the mixture into an ice-filled cocktail shaker, shake for 30 seconds and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
All the measuring is done ahead of time, but you still get a properly chilled cocktail for each person.
More fall cocktails
If you're in the mood for another fall drink, try one of these next:
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Recipe
Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail with Thyme Syrup
Ingredients
Thyme Simple Syrup:
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 2-3 large fresh thyme sprigs
Cocktail:
- 2 ½ ounces fresh apple cider
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce thyme simple syrup
- Fresh thyme sprigs and/or thin apple slices, for garnish (optional)
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Instructions
Make the thyme simple syrup:
- Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup is clear.¼ cup sugar, ¼ cup water, 2-3 large fresh thyme sprigs
- Immediately remove the pan from heat and stir in the thyme sprigs. Let steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain the syrup into an airtight container and refrigerate until cooled and ready to use.
Make the cocktail:
- Add the apple cider bourbon, lemon juice and thyme simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.2 ½ ounces fresh apple cider, 2 ounces bourbon, ½ ounce fresh lemon juice, ½ ounce thyme simple syrup
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
- Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and/or thin apple slices, if desired.Fresh thyme sprigs and/or thin apple slices, for garnish (optional)
Notes
- Use fresh apple cider rather than regular clear apple juice for the best flavor and balance. If fresh cider isn't available, look for a high-quality pure pressed apple juice; it will usually look a little cloudy rather than completely clear.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the cocktail a brighter flavor than bottled juice.
- In a pinch, regular simple syrup can be substituted for the thyme syrup, but I think the thyme version is worth the extra 20 minutes.
- Thyme simple syrup makes enough for about 6 cocktails and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To batch 6 cocktails, combine 15 ounces apple cider, 12 ounces bourbon, 3 ounces lemon juice and 3 ounces thyme simple syrup. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
- Shake individual 5½-ounce portions with ice for 30 seconds before serving.
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Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
Kim says
Just to let you know I made this tonight and I really enjoyed it. It's going into my fall rotation. Thanks for the recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it! It's a keeper this time of year. Cheers!
Lauren C says
Have you ever batched this cocktail? Would love guidance on how to do that if so!
Hi Lauren, We LOVE to batch our cocktails. Takes away one less thing to do when entertaining. Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of guests you plan to have. Serve in a pitcher with a stir spoon and an ice bucket nearby for guests to pour into low ball glasses themselves. Cheers!
Elaine says
I like ciders but this type in particular! I think that your recipe is very clear and easy to make - thank you very much for sharing it!