Apple Cider Cocktail Wellplated Com

This festive cocktail is made with Apple Cider, bourbon, a squeeze of lemon, and ginger beer. It’s wonderfully spiced, not too sweet, and perfect for the holiday season (like its morning cousin, Apple Cider Mimosa). A garnish of apple slices, cinnamon, and thyme makes it beautiful enough for an intimate special occasion, while its fast and easy preparation makes it the perfect apple cider cocktail for a crowd. Any evening would feel immediately cheerful with one of these drinks in your hand. What I love most about this cold apple cider cocktail is it’s easy to scale (like my favorite Christmas Punch). I’ve included directions for both one drink and a pitcher, so whether you are pouring for two or a few, this simple cocktail recipe has you covered.

How to Make an Apple Cider Cocktail

This cocktail leans to the bright/refreshing side. It will lighten up a winter evening and would be enjoyable as an early fall or even summer apple cider cocktail too. Since the ingredients here are few, be sure to choose each one carefully. I’ve suggested some of my favorites.

The Ingredients

Bourbon. Choose something good enough to sip on its own, but not so high-end you want to avoid mixing it altogether. Bulleit, Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, and Buffalo Trace are my go-to’s for cocktails (and Bourbon Balls).

Apple Cider. I like an organic unfiltered apple cider (it will look cloudy but has so much flavor). These are easy to find in the bottled juice section (shelf stable) at most grocery stores, or use my homemade Apple Cider recipe.

Ginger Beer. A slightly sweet, slightly spicy non-alcoholic beverage that tastes delightful mixed into cocktails. It has a stronger taste than ginger ale and is less carbonated. My top pick is Fever-Tree. It has the most pure, zesty flavor and will make your cold apple cider cocktail shine.Lemon Juice. Helps the other flavors pop and adds a little pucker to balance the cocktail and keep it from being too sweet.Orange Liqueur. Optional for an additional layer of “fancy.” I recommend Grand Marnier or Cointreau. Stay away from triple sec, as it is too cloyingly sweet.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. This drink is best the day it is made; if you anticipate extra, add the ginger beer to the individual servings only, then refrigerate the bourbon/cider/orange liqueur base in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Top with fresh ginger beer just before serving.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Pitcher. Perfect for making a larger batch of this cocktail. Jigger. For precise measurements every time. Citrus Juicer. A tool worth having in your kitchen.

Whether you’ll be enjoying old holiday traditions or forging new ones this year, I am wishing you all a merry, meaningful season! I wouldn’t recommend this apple cider cocktail with gin, as its herbal flavor would be too strong.

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Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe. I hope this apple cider cocktail brings a little extra spirit.♥️ (And, if you’re in need of a little extra holiday cheer, spiking a batch of my favorite Crockpot Hot Chocolate always does the trick for me!)