How To Choose The Bourbon For This Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail:
Because there are so few ingredients in this apple cider bourbon cocktail, its important to choose both Michigan apple cider and a good liquor to go with it. Ive mentioned both whiskey and bourbon. While bourbon is typically preferred in old fashioneds, the truth is that you can use whiskey or bourbon.
If you would consider drinking the whiskey or bourbon on the rocks, then its probably good for old fashioneds, too! I like aged bourbon, but if I want something spicier, Ill use a nice rye whiskey for an apple cider and whiskey cocktail.
The only way to know what you prefer is to experiment, so on your way home from the apple orchard, pick up a few different bottles and see what you like best in apple cider old fashioneds!
What Should I Spike Apple Cider With
Obviously the name gave it away. Bourbon. The flavor of bourbon compliments the sweetness of the cider perfectly!
If youre not a bourbon fan or dont have any, this is also great with spiced rum. But, we would use less maple syrup if rum was used, since the cider will make the rum a bit sweeter than the bourbon.
We would stay away from clear liquors like vodka or gin because you really need the flavors that dark liquor brings to make this cocktail have all those great fall flavors!
Why Apple Cider And Bourbon Make A Perfect Cocktail Pair
When the air gets colder and the jackets get thicker, cocktail connoisseurs start tuning their palettes to darker spirits. Tequila and rum give way to whiskey and bourbon as folks trade margaritas for Manhattans. But, why does the palette start favoring bourbon as winter rolls in? Turns out, there’s a scientific reason for it. As Rebel Bourbon notes, drinking bourbon physically warms you up. Plus, from a gastronomic perspective, Lux Row Distillers says the naturally smoky, spicy flavor notes of bourbon pair well with seasonal autumnal flavors like cinnamon, maple, and apple.
Why do apple cider and bourbon make a perfect cocktail pair? MasterClass describes apple cider as a sweet, fresh, largely unprocessed beverage packed with natural apple flavor. Bourbon, it says, is a strong, spiced spirit with a dark taste that goes down warm. Paired together, an apple-cider-bourbon cocktail is a rocks glass packed with fall flavor. But, as in any cocktail, the natural flavor notes of your mixer will benefit if you select a spirit with complementary notes.
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The Secret Ingredient: Sweet Red Vermouth
Vermouth is a standard in the everyday liquor cabinet: youll use it for everything from a Manhattan to a Negroni. Its a little unexpected in an apple cider cocktail: but it adds just the right complexity! Its both dry and sweet at once, and rounds out each sip. Youll taste the apple cider on the front end, the vermouth in the middle and the spicy bourbon on the back end. What is vermouth? Heres what to know.
- Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning that liquor has been added to stabilize it. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet and dry . Make sure to store vermouth in the refrigerator: it stays good there for up to 3 months.
- Sweet vermouth is subtly sweet and spicy, with a hit of bitter on the finish. It features in many classic cocktails like the Negroni, Americano, and Manhattan.
- Dry vermouth: Dry white vermouth is used in martinis, like the Classic Martini and Dirty Martini.
What Kind Of Bitters Should I Use For This Cider And Bourbon Cocktail:
Think of bitters as a type of seasoning for cocktails. They are used to balance sweetness from other ingredients and round out the flavor of a drink.
Just like you have a choice to make about whiskey or bourbon for this apple cider old fashioned, you also need to make a decision about what kind of bitters to use. We keep our bar stocked with a few different varieties.
I found a really nice guide to using cocktail bitters, if youre completely new to using bitters in cocktails. Angostura bitters are most commonly used in old fashioneds, but orange bitters are also delicious in this apple cider bourbon cocktail.
Or, go with my dads method of combining both varieties of bitters in one cocktail. Again, youll need to experiment to see what you like best, and thats part of the fun of this apple cider and whiskey drink.
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Apple Cider Day: 5 Cocktails You Can Make Today
Here’s some ‘in-cider’ information for an ‘apple-solutely’ amazing day!November 18 marks Apple Cider Day in the US and it’s the perfect occasion to soak yourself in its tangy taste and aroma.Made using fresh apples pressed into fresh juice and then fermented, this beverage is both sweet and spicy.To commemorate this day, check out these five apple cider cocktails.
Grab a glass and rim it with salted cinnamon sugar.In a jar, pour some silver tequila or smoky mezcal, whichever you like.Next up, pour some orange liquor, followed by a good amount of apple cider to give it a flavor.Now squeeze in some lemon juice and then sweeten up the concoction by adding maple syrup.Shake and pour into the glass.
Add some ice cubes and apple cider vinegar to a cocktail shaker and shake well.To this, add some fresh lemon juice and bourbon. Shake well so that all the ingredients blend nicely.Once done, strain it into the glass and top it off with your favorite ginger ale.Your cocktail is ready! Garnish with a slice of apple, cinnamon sticks, and/or thyme sprig.
Begin by adding ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour in some cinnamon vodka and apple cider vinegar to it.Shake it well for 15 to 20 seconds or until crystallization begins.Once that’s done, pour this concoction into a tall glass full of ice cubes.Finally, garnish your cocktail with an apple slice or a cinnamon stick to give it extra flavor and appeal.
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 , and orange juice before getting started.
Additionally, youll need a cocktail shaker. If you dont 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 and orange juice.
Then add the vanilla, orange zest and balsamic vinegar if using . 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.
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Ingredients For This Bourbon Cider Cocktail
With just a few simple ingredients, youll have a tasty, fall-inspired cocktail to sip on in less than 5 minutes . That is, as long as you have the one very important ingredient ready
- Autumn Spice Simple Syrup: this simple syrup is made with cinnamon, allspice, and coriander. Its loaded with warm spices and is the perfect pairing in this cocktail, adding a touch of sweetness and a whole love of fall spice. Its also quick and easy to make, but having it ready ahead of time means youll be ready to make this cocktail whenever!
- Apple Cider: nothing beats fresh, straight-from-the-orchard cider.
- Bourbon: isnt it just the liquor of fall? Its deep vanilla and caramel-type flavor notes make it the perfect pairing for fall cocktails!
- Lemon Juice: the tartness of fresh lemon juice balances out this cocktail so well. Please use freshly squeezed lemon juice for thebest results!
How To Make An Apple Cider Cocktail
For this cocktail recipe, were shaking the ingredients with ice in a shaker, and then straining the concoction into a glass. This serves two purposes: it chills the cocktail while also keeping it from getting watered down from melting ice while enjoying it.
Can you serve it over ice anyway? Yes, if you prefer that, you absolutely can!
First, in a cocktail shaker or large glass or jar, add ice. Then pour in the bourbon, apple cider, simple syrup, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Give it all a stir to combine and chill, or shake it gently in a shaker, then strain it into your glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme for color as desired, or add in an apple slice and cinnamon stick to compliment the flavors. Or just get straight to enjoying!
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Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
When you live in Wisconsin, you need to know how to make a good old fashioned. They are hotly debated here as the drink of choice for many and the perfect way to make them. You must have enough bitters sweetness from things like oranges, grenadine, and simple syrup and whiskey, or in some cases brandy to satisfy every cocktail connoisseur.
Thankfully, bars and pubs around Wisconsin have their own old fashioned mixes at the ready, because its one of the most popular beverages of choice so we dont ever have to spend time muddling ingredients for each glass. And with this super simple maple old fashioned recipe, you wont have to muddle either!
Picking The Right Tool For The Job
We’ll start with perhaps the quintessential cocktail in the fall mixologist’s oeuvre: the toddy. Chef Molly Pisula’s Apple Cider Hot Toddy is infused with light brown sugar and fresh ginger. For savory palettes, Natalka Burian’s Butternut Squash Hot Apple Cider combines cider with butternut squash and cloves, anise, cardamom, dried orange slices, and cinnamon and you can make it right in your slow cooker.
When it comes to apple cider bourbon cocktails, Taste of Home recommends adding a sprig of fresh rosemary and a lemon wheel to garnish for an unexpected, bright, citrusy, herbal pop. If this avant-garde flavor combo is your style, Henry McKenna’s 10-year single-barrel bourbon offers an herbaceous flavor with notes of honey, caramel, oak, and spice. But, at over $80 per bottle, it’s admittedly an investment in your home bar. Evan Williams Honey Bourbon is a comparable budget-friendly option, toting notes of honey, allspice, and smoky vanilla and you can snag a bottle for around $15.
Whatever you’re sipping this season, apple cider bourbon cocktails offer a mouthful built to satisfy all autumn long.
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Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
A Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail is the best way to toast the change of seasons! This cider drink has all the makings of a tasty fall cocktail – bourbon, apple cider and a squeeze of citrus – but a subtle, herb-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.
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.
Trust us this apple cider drink is the BEST way to welcome the change of seasons!
Bourbon Apple Cider Fizz Cocktail
This bourbon apple cider fizz is a really easy, festive cocktail that can be made in pitcher form to serve a crowd. If you want a slightly less boozy cocktail, substitute in sparkling apple cider. Now, I know some of you grumble about having a component you have to make yourself.
Great cocktails require a little bit of elbow grease. And the preparations for this syrup are as simple as throwing everything in a pot over a low flame, setting a timer, and sitting down to watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix. Youll look like a pro-bartender at your next gathering. Enjoy!
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How To Make The This Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
Pre-step
With a sharp knife, cut a thin apple slice from the equator of an apple, cut in half and then cut out the seeds and the core. Set it aside for garnish along with two cinnamon sticks.
After measuring out the ingredients, pour them into the cocktail shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients bourbon, apple cider and lemon.
Step two
Cut the lemon in half and then cut each half in quarters. You will end up with 8 wedges.
Step three
Add the lemon to the shaker and muddle the wedges for at least 2 minutes. You want to extract as much of the fresh lemon juice and zest from the skins as you can. Look at it all!
Step four
Measure out 4 ounces of bourbon.
Step five
Measure 5 ounces of apple cider.
Thats one robust-looking cocktail.
Step seven
Add fresh ice to the glasses. I use big ice cubes.
Add 1 cup of ice to the shaker, cap it and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain, divide and pour the drink between the two glasses.
Step eight
Add a half slice of apple and one cinnamon stick to each glass. I also add fresh thyme sprigs to each glass, but that is optional.
Lets take a closer look at the bourbon whiskey apple cider cocktail.
And the other glass.
Heres the vertical view of this delicious cocktail.
I hope you enjoyed this apple cider bourbon smash cocktail recipe. Its so delicious.
Can I Make An Apple Cider Brandy Old Fashioned:
Yes! Brandy old fashioneds are very popular in the Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin. Feel free to make this apple cider old fashioned using your favorite brandy instead of whiskey or bourbon.
No matter what you use, be sure to garnish your drink with a few slices of crunchy, sweet Michigan apples. I like Gala or Honeycrisp, but use whatever variety of Michigan apple you like best!
Whip up a few apple and bacon phyllo cup appetizers to munch on, too!
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Can I Make This Apple Cider Cocktail Without Alcohol
Yes! Good news, this is a cocktail that can be made without alcohol, and still, taste delicious. I never want anyone to miss out on all the seasonal recipes I love so much, which means I want to make sure anyone and everyone can enjoy an ice-cold glass of this apple cider drink.
To make this recipe as a mocktail, just follow the directions below, and skip the bourbon. You dont have to replace it with anything else, just omit the bourbon and you have yourself a delicious fall drink everyone will love.
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The Perfect Apple Cider Cocktail
This is all I really want after the babys asleep: A couch to sink into, a blanket to cozy up in, and a cocktail to sip on.
This apple cider cocktail is modeled after a drink I had at Kraft House No. 5, one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Its called The Flannel Shirt and it has fall written all over it: warming bourbon, crisp apple cider, spicy cinnamon syrup, and a hint of lemon and orange.
It is familiar but sophisticated, comforting but refreshing. It really does feel like slipping into your favorite flannel on that first chilly day of fall.
The cinnamon simple syrup will make your house smell amazing, and may even stir up a desire to start playing Christmas music .
But I wont get too far ahead of myself. For now, Ill just enjoy the season Im in: colorful, crisp, cozy Autumn, and all the joys it brings.
Should I Use A Cocktail Shaker
There are a few reasons why bartenders use cocktail shakers. The first reason is that it helps to create a sense of theater. Bartenders can use the shaker to create a show for their guests, which can add to the overall experience.
Cocktail shakers also help to ensure that cocktails are well-mixed and delicious. By shaking the ingredients together, bartenders can ensure that all the flavors are evenly distributed. As a result, use of a cocktail shaker can help to create better-tasting drinks.
They also offer a great benefit of chilling a drink fast, without pouring it over ice. You can achieve this by shaking it with a generous amount of ice cubes. Also, small ice cubes chill a drink faster than a large ice cube. This is because of the surface area of the ice.
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The Most Delicious Bourbon Cider Cocktail For Fall
Mmm, bourbon apple cider cocktails. Easy to make, delicious to drink, and loved by anyone who tries a sip! These yummy beverages are a great way to enjoy the flavors of the season. Theyre made with a mix of apple cider, bourbon, and ginger beer along with the tanginess of some lemon juice and the subtle flavor of vanilla.
These are perfect for friendsgiving, football tailgates, or just a laidback evening spent watching your favorite show.
If the kiddos want their own version of this festive fall drink, simple omit the bourbon and add an extra 1/2 tsp of vanilla! You may need a dash of water as well.