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    Home » Drink Recipes

    Apple Cider Cocktail

    Lindsay Moe

    972 shares

    This apple cider cocktail is smooth, sweet, and delicious! It’s the best cocktail for serving in fall and offering at your Thanksgiving table. The smooth apple cider pairs perfectly with bourbon whiskey and a dash of ginger juice in this alcoholic drink.

    two apple cider bourbon cocktails with cinnamon sticks
    Jump to Recipe

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make an apple cider cocktail
    • Top tips
    • Tips for customizing an apple cider cocktail
    • FAQ
    • More cocktail recipes
    • Recipe

    An apple cider cocktail is just the thing to usher us through fall.

    I will admit I’ve never been a huge apple cider fan, but this cocktail recipe has me changing my tune! As it turns out I like my apple cider ice cold with plenty of bourbon whiskey and a splash of ginger juice.

    Whiskey is always my alcoholic drink of choice, especially lately, but every now and then it’s nice to use it in a cocktail for a change of pace.

    Ingredients

    • Bourbon whiskey
    • Apple cider
    • Ginger juice
    • Apple slices, optional
    • Cinnamon sticks, optional

    How to make an apple cider cocktail

    1. Add a small scoop of crushed ice to a rocks glass. Add whiskey, apple cider, and ginger juice. Use a stir stick or cinnamon stick to stir lightly. Garnish with apple slices if desired.

    Top tips

    What kind of whiskey to use in a cocktail

    I’ve been loving Four Roses Bourbon lately because it has a nice spice to it. It’s almost like having a snack!

    You can use your favorite bourbon whiskey, just keep in mind that flavor varies between brands. I think other types of whiskey besides bourbon would work as well, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try something new!

    a bottle of whiskey and some in a glass with ice

    How to measure cocktail ingredients

    I used this little jigger I’ve had around my house forever to measure the whiskey and cider (here’s an affiliate link to a similar one), but you could use anything in your kitchen that will measure in milliliters, or simply keep the apple cider and whiskey in a 2:1 ratio.

    a jigger with ingredients for an apple cider cocktail

    Tips for customizing an apple cider cocktail

    • If you can’t find ginger juice, omit it or substitute ¼ teaspoon fresh ginger paste, stirring well
    • Add a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
    • Use warm apple cider for a hot apple cider cocktail
    • Add a splash of club soda or ginger beer
    • To make an apple cider pitcher cocktail, combine apple cider and whiskey in a 2:1 ratio, then add ginger juice to taste
    • Add a few dashes of orange bitters

    FAQ

    Can I make a non-alcoholic apple cider cocktail?

    You can easily make this a mocktail by adding ginger juice to apple cider. I would suggest adding a splash of ginger beer to give it a little something extra.

    What is ginger juice?

    Ginger juice is a fun ingredient I came across recently, but it might be difficult to find. This big jug I found on amazon (affiliate link) is the best value and most convenient way to buy, however I purchased mine in the natural foods section at my local Festival Foods grocery store.

    You can definitely omit the ginger juice if you can’t find it, but it adds a nice depth of flavor and a little creaminess to the cocktail. I also recommend using high quality, local apple cider if possible. With so few ingredients in this recipe you’re going to taste every ingredient!

    a photo of apple cider cocktail ingredients and ginger juice being poured into a cocktail

    More cocktail recipes

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    • Strawberry Lemonade Vodka
    • Pineapple Margarita
    • Buttery Nipple Shot
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    • Sparkling Greyhound Cocktail
    overhead photo of two apple cider whiskey cocktails with cinnamon sticks, ice, and apple slices

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    Recipe

    apple cider cocktail with a cinnamon stick

    Apple Cider Cocktail

    An apple cider cocktail is the perfect fall drink. It mixes simple ingredients like apple cider, bourbon whiskey, and ginger juice to make a seriously smooth and delicious alcoholic drink!
    4.60 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 171kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 50 milliliters bourbon whiskey
    • 100 milliliters apple cider
    • ½ teaspoon ginger juice
    • Apple slices, optional
    • Cinnamon sticks, optional

    Instructions

    • Add a small scoop of crushed ice to a rocks glass. Add whiskey, apple cider, and ginger juice. Use a stir stick or cinnamon stick to stir lightly. Garnish with apple slices if desired.

    Notes

     

    Tips for customizing your apple cider cocktail recipe:

    • If you can’t find ginger juice, omit it or substitute ¼ teaspoon fresh ginger paste, stirring well
    • Add a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
    • Use warm apple cider for a hot apple cider cocktail
    • Add a splash of club soda or ginger beer
    • To make an apple cider pitcher cocktail, combine apple cider and whiskey in a 2:1 ratio, then add ginger juice to taste
    • Add a few dashes of orange bitters

    Nutrition

    Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 101mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

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    1. Reece says

      October 21, 2020 at 4:32 am

      I’ve recently discovered something very similar to the cocktail you describe. I’ve been adding a nice double shot of whiskey to 330ml of non-alcoholic apple cider with root ginger. (Hillbilly Cider, Bilpin, NSW, Australia). It is delicious!

      Reply
    2. Tena Backer Bunch says

      October 10, 2023 at 4:19 pm

      I have ginger syrup do you think that will work if I don’t make the cider to sweet?

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        October 12, 2023 at 8:06 am

        It does run the risk of making the drink too sweet, but I think it would be fine to add a little at a time and taste as you go!

        Reply

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    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

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    972 shares