A bold, oaky Bourbon with a hint of spicy sweetness makes our Apple Cider Old Fashioned a must for your autumn cocktail menu. Its cozy flavors capture the essence of the season, perfect for fall gathering with friends or for curling up in front of the fire on a crisp evening.
As soon as the leaves change colors and days turn colder, you will find yourself adding this warming cocktail to your seasonal rotation. With the addition of apple cider simple syrup and garnished with a fresh apple slice, it's a drink that is both comforting and festive.
What is an Apple Cider Old Fashioned?
A classic Old Fashioned is made by muddling sugar with bitters, creating a sweet base with a hint of spice. Typically, one ice cube is added and bourbon is poured overtop, then stirred just once or twice. This allows the bourbon to chill, while not over-diluting the cocktail. Our Autumnal variation of an Old Fashioned uses our Apple Cider Simple Syrup as the base, providing an additional sweet and spicy layer.
Jump to:
- What is an Apple Cider Old Fashioned?
- Why You Will Love This Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Serve Apple Cider Old Fashioned
- What to Serve with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail
- Top Tip
- Frequently Asked Questions About an Apple Cider Old Fashioned
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Apple Cider Old Fashioned
You may also like try our Apple Cider Moscow Mule or an Apple Cider Mimosa. If you like bourbon drinks, you might want to sip on this Old Fashioned Hot Toddy in the cooler months.
Why You Will Love This Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe
- Quick: The use of a simply syrup allows you to skip muddling any sugar. Just add everything to the glass, and a quick stir and you're done!
- Well-Balanced: Sweet meets spicy in just the right way.
- Minimal Mess: No need for to bring out a cocktail shaker for this beverage, just mix it right into the class.
Ingredients
Sometimes less is more. With just a few key ingredients you'll quickly find yourself making your new season favorite cocktail.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Bourbon: We use Bulleit Bourbon, which offers a smooth, oaky spicy flavor profile.
- Apple Cider Simple Syrup: This adds sweetness with notes of cinnamon, clove and peppery allspice.
- Angostura Bitters: Aromatic bitters add complexity to the drink.
For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a lowball glass and a cocktail spoon. Also, I love this large ice cube tray for whiskey ice!
Substitutions and Variations
Love this recipe but want to mix it up or use what you already have at home? Here are some tips for a variation!
- Maple Syrup: Use instead of Apple Cider Simple Syrup if necessary.
- Additional Simple Syrup: For a little added sweetness adjust the quantity to your liking.
- Unflavored Simple Syrup: Use a regular simple syrup if that is all you have, or to use as additional sweetness.
- Orange Bitters: For a more citrus vibe.
- Dark Rum: An aged rum will most replicate a Bourbon.
How to Make Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail
Check out how easy it is to make this delicious cocktail.
Add Bourbon, apple cider simple syrup and bitters into a lowball glass.
Add a large (or equivalent) ice cube into the glass and stir one or two rotations.
Hint: Only stir 1 or 2 rotations to add a light chill to the beverage. The more you stir, the faster the ice will melt and can over-dilute the drink.
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How to Serve Apple Cider Old Fashioned
Here are some helpful insights to making the best Apple Cider Old Fashioned.
- Glass: Serve in an Old Fashioned glass, also known as a low ball or whiskey glass.
- On The Rocks/ Over Ice: Served with one or two large cubes. We love this stackable tray set.
- Drink Garnishes: Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, orange slices or peel, cherries.
What to Serve with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail
- Quiche: Try Spinach Ham Quiche Lorraine to balance the sweetness.
- Pies: There are many types of pie that pair well with anything apple cider. We recommend our Apple Pie a la Mode, Costco Pecan Pie (Copycat) or our Pumpkin Pie using Sweetened Condensed Milk.
- Fall Charcuterie Board: Many options to "pick" from: apple slices dipped in caramel, strong blue or cheddar cheeses, cured meats like prosciutto, spiced or candied nuts.
- Pork: Pork is a perfect combination with anything apple cider. Pulled pork sandwiches, or slow roasted pork chops!
Top Tip
For a bolder more complex drink, use a high quality Bourbon.
Frequently Asked Questions About an Apple Cider Old Fashioned
Do you have questions about an Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe?
You can choose an apple cider instead of an apple cider simple syrup, but it will change the flavor. The simple syrup is highly concentrated which compliments the Bourbon instead of overpowering it. I would recommend starting with just a splash at a time and adjust to your preference.
We typically use Aromatic bitters, but Orange bitters will complement this recipe as well. It will offer a more citrus forward flavor that will complement the Bourbon.
You should make the drink and 1 or 2 large ice cubes in last to ensure they do not overly dilute the cocktail.
Absolutely. You can use slices of apple or orange, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, or cherries.
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Apple Cider Old Fashioned
Equipment
- Spoon
- Lowball Glass
Ingredients
- 3 ounce Bourbon
- 1-2 teaspoon Apple Cider Simple Syrup
- 1-2 dashes bitters
- ice
Garnish
- apple thinly sliced
- orange slice/peel
- cinnamon stick
- cherries
Instructions
- Add Bourbon, apple cider simple syrup and bitters into a lowball glass.
- Add a large (or equivalent) ice cube into the glass and stir one or two rotations.
Notes
- Serving over a large ice cube will keep the drink chilled without diluting it too quickly. Only stir 1 or 2 rotations to add a light chill to the beverage. The more you stir, the faster the ice will melt and can over-dilute the drink.
- For a bolder more complex drink, use a high quality Bourbon.
- Feel free to adjust the quantities of bourbon and simple syrup to suit your tastes.
Nutrition
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Eva Filer says
This is such a delicious seasonal twist on a classic cocktail. We love making this recipe in the Fall, but it is perfect any time of year!