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    Home » Whiskey/Bourbon » Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

    Published: Sep 22, 2021 · Modified: Sep 22, 2021 by Anna · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

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    A Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail is the best way to toast the change of seasons! This drink has all the makings of a tasty fall cocktail - bourbon, apple cider and a squeeze of citrus - but subtly infused simple syrup and a shot of applejack take it over the top. The result is a smooth sipper that you'll make on repeat all season long.

    Three low ball glasses on wooden serving tray. First glass is filled with apple cider drink. Garnished with fresh thyme sprigs. this recipe

    While we hate to say goodbye to summer, we don't mind saying hello again to some of our fall favorites, like our cozy blankets, fuzzy sweatshirts and, of course, this Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail.

    It's the best way to toast the season!

    Jump to:
    • What makes this recipe unique
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Expert tips for making the best apple cider cocktail
    • More fall cocktails
    • Recipe

    What makes this recipe unique

    • It's one of the few apple cider cocktail recipes that uses applejack. A shot of this smooth, blended apple brandy adds body to the drink while enhancing the apple cider flavor.
    • Using an herb-infused simple syrup is an easy way to take a drink from average to amazing (and they are so easy to make!).
    • Easy to multiply for a crowd, this simple, seasonal cocktail is right at home at any fall gathering, from tailgating to Thanksgiving.

    Ingredients

    A handful of ingredients combine to make these truly crave-worthy apple cider cocktails:

    Drink ingredients including bourbon, applejack, apple cider, simple syrup, lemon juice, fresh thyme and bitters.

    A few ingredient notes:

    • Fresh apple cider and freshly squeezed lemon juice make a big difference in the flavor of this drink. Don't be tempted to use the bottled stuff as it's full of preservatives that can make your drink taste unbalanced.
    • The simple syrup is infused with fresh thyme. Sounds fancy but it couldn't be easier. Plus making your own simple syrup is much less expensive than buying a bottle at the store. You can make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until ready to use. Check out our quick & easy guide for how to make simple syrup for all the details.
    Cocktail in a lowball glass garnished with fresh apple slices and a fresh thyme sprig.

    Instructions

    The only prep work for this drink is making the thyme-infused simple syrup. And that couldn't be easier:

    Sugar, water and fresh thyme in a small saucepan.

    Add sugar and water to a small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until dissolved. Remove from heat, add thyme and steep for 15-20 minutes. Cool, strain and refrigerate.

    Hand pouring alcohol into a cocktail shaker.

    Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the bourbon, applejack and apple cider.

    Hand pouring lemon juice & simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.

    Pour in the lemon juice and thyme-infused simple syrup.

    Hand adding bitters to cocktail shaker and putting top on shaker.

    Add bitters. Shake and strain into ice-filled glass. Garnish with apple slices and/or thyme sprigs, if desired.

    FAQs

    Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?


    The short answer is no, I don’t recommend swapping in traditional, clear apple juice for apple cider here.

    Apple juice is typically sweeter than fresh apple cider because of added sugar or corn syrup so the resulting cocktail will be far too sweet.

    If you absolutely cannot find fresh apple cider, you can try using the Simply Apple Pure Pressed Apple Juice and decrease the amount of simple syrup if needed. The cocktail won’t taste quite the same, but it will be much closer than if you tried to use regular apple juice.

    What kind of bourbon goes best with apple cider?


    That's easy - your favorite! A good cocktail is one you like to drink, so pick a bourbon you love. You can also use whiskey if you prefer. I used Bulleit Bourbon for this recipe. 

    What is Applejack?


    Ready for a short history lesson? Early American colonists wanted something a little stronger than just hard apple cider, so they left barrels of hard cider outside to freeze. This process was called “jacking” because it allowed them to separate the unfrozen alcohol from the ice in the barrels. The result was a higher proof “applejack”.

    Today’s version of applejack has evolved to become a blended version of apple brandy and other neutral grain spirits. The result is a mellower flavor than pure apple brandy and is a fantastic complement to the bourbon in these fall cider cocktails. The Laird family makes a variety of apple spirits and makes the applejack I used in this recipe. 

    Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktails in lowball glasses garnished with fresh thyme and apple slices.

    Expert tips for making the best apple cider cocktail

    ✘ Fresh apple cider makes a huge difference in this flavor of this drink. Don't substitute clear apple juice. Cider is tangier than apple juice and is a big part in what keeps the flavors balanced.

    ✘ Can't find Applejack? You can swap in regular apple brandy or even Calvados in its place.

    ✘ The thyme-infused simple syrup is a nod to this cool weather tolerant herb. It adds lovely depth to the drink, but if you don't have time to make it, you can use regular simple syrup instead.

    ✘ Hosting a crowd? These drinks can easily be multiplied as a batch cocktail for your guests (I highly recommend adding these to your Thanksgiving menu!). Or tuck a few into a thermos the next time you tailgate for the big game along with a container of our crazy popular Layered Greek Dip.

    Three lowball glasses with ice. Cocktail shaker pouring Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktails into one of the glasses. Garnished with fresh thyme sprigs and apple slices.

    More fall cocktails

    • Apple Cider Sangria
    • Bourbon Aperol Cocktails
    • Easy Whiskey Ginger Cocktail
    • Cranberry Martini

    Looking for more drink inspo? Don't miss our archives filled with tasty Cocktail Recipes!

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    Glass of Apple Cider cocktail with bourbon.

    Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

    Garnish With Lemon
    Fresh apple cider shines in these Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktails. The perfect fall drink for everything from tailgating to apple picking to Thanksgiving!
    4.82 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Whiskey/Bourbon
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 drink
    Calories 206 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set
    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Low Ball Glasses
    • Citrus Juicer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ounce bourbon
    • 1 ounce applejack
    • 1 ounce fresh apple cider
    • ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
    • ½ ounce thyme-infused simple syrup (see instructions in notes below)
    • 1 dash Angostura bitters

    Instructions
     

    • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add bourbon, applejack, apple cider, lemon juice, simple syrup and bitters. Shake vigorously.
      1 ounce bourbon, 1 ounce applejack, 1 ounce fresh apple cider, ½ ounce fresh lemon juice, ½ ounce thyme-infused simple syrup, 1 dash Angostura bitters
    • Strain into ice-filled glasses and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and apple slices, if desired.

    Notes

    To make the thyme-infused simple syrup:

      1. Combine sugar and water in small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add 4 sprigs of fresh thyme. Allow to steep for 15-20 minutes.
      2. Strain and refrigerate until ready to use. It will keep for up to 10 days in the fridge. 
    • Apple cider gives the best flavor to this drink. Don't use clear apple juice or your drink will too sweet and taste unbalanced. 
    • I used Laird's Applejack and Bulleit Bourbon to test this recipe but feel free to use other brands of apple brandy and bourbon/whiskey if you prefer. 
    • No time to make the herb-infused simple syrup? Use regular simple syrup instead. 
    • Recipe adapted from Gramercy Tavern.

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4ouncesCalories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
    « Apple Cider Sangria
    Cranberry Apple Chutney »

    About Anna

    Hi, I’m Anna, a former corporate communications nerd turned food fanatic. Turns out I like cooking for others A LOT more than explaining HR policies to them. C’mon over!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim says

      October 20, 2019 at 9:43 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        October 21, 2019 at 6:37 am

        So glad you enjoyed it! It's a keeper this time of year. Cheers!

        Reply
    2. Lauren C says

      October 07, 2019 at 6:54 pm

      Have you ever batched this cocktail? Would love guidance on how to do that if so!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        October 07, 2019 at 7:45 pm

        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!

        Reply
    3. Elaine says

      November 17, 2017 at 12:46 pm

      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!

      Reply

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