Apple Cider co*cktail (2024)

This apple cider co*cktail pairs sweet cider with bourbon and lemon! It’s full flavored and easy to make, the ideal fall or winter drink.

Looking for a drink that exudes all the fall and winter vibes? Try this Apple Cider co*cktail! Cider pairs perfectly with sweet and spicy bourbon in this sophisticated drink. It’s got a hint of lemon and a surprise ingredient that rounds out the flavors into a meld that’s intriguing, complex and highly drinkable! It’s so tasty, it’s become a repeat we return to each fall and winter.

What’s in this apple cider co*cktail?

Many of our co*cktail recipes are based on standard great co*cktail recipes that have stood the test of time, like the whiskey sour or Manhattan. But when it comes to an apple cider co*cktail, there’s no one way to make cider shine in a mixed drink! This one is interesting and complex, not too sweet, perfectly highlighting apple cider while giving you all the cozy feelings of fall and winter. Here are the ingredients in this apple cider co*cktail:

• Apple cider
• Bourbon
• Sweet vermouth
• Lemon juice
• Orange bitters

The secret: sweet red vermouth!

Sweet vermouth is a little unexpected in an apple cider co*cktail, but it adds just the right complexity! It’s a standard in the everyday liquor cabinet, used for everything from a Manhattan to a Negroni. It’s both dry and sweet at once, and rounds out each sip. You’ll taste the apple cider on the front end, the vermouth in the middle and the spicy bourbon on the back end.

• Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning that liquor has been added to stabilize it. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet (usually red) and dry (usually white). Make sure to store vermouth in the refrigerator: it stays good there for up to 3 months.
• Sweet vermouthis subtly sweet and spicy, with a hit of bitter on the finish. It features in many classic co*cktails like theNegroni,Americano, andManhattan.
• Dry vermouth:Dry white vermouth is used in martinis. While you won’t need it here, it features in classics like theClassic MartiniandDirty Martini.

How to make this apple cider co*cktail

After you’ve gathered the ingredients, this apple cider co*cktail takes only a few minutes to make. Here are the main steps:

• Stir together all ingredients in a co*cktail mixing glass.This is a classic “stirred” co*cktail where you stir the ingredients instead of shaking them. Shaking dilutes the drink with ice, which would water it down too much.
• Strain and garnish. Strain the drink into a stemmed co*cktail glass. You can also get away with this drink in a low ball glass, if you’d like! It’s intended to be served without ice.
• Don’t have a mixing glass?Use any glass or container you like to mix the drink, then strain it into the serving glass. Or, grab yourself aco*cktail mixing glass. (Plus, it just looks cool.)

Make it for a crowd!

This apple cider co*cktail is a “stirred” co*cktail, which makes it easy to double, triple or quadruple for a crowd! For a shaken co*cktail, you have to shake each one in a co*cktail shaker. But to make this one for a crowd, simply multiply the ingredients and stir them with ice until cold.

Depending on how many drinks you’re making at once, you may need to stir it in a larger vessel like a pitcher. Then garnish and go!

Garnish with apple slices, if desired

Serving this apple cider co*cktail in a casual setting? Don’t worry about a garnish! But if you’re serving it for a festive occasion, it’s all about the presentation. Here’s what to know:

• Cut apples can brown, so spritz them with a little lemon juice. Cut apple slices can start to brown when exposed to air. To combat this, spritz them with a little acid: lemon juice is perfect. (Plus, you already have a lemon open.)
• Fresh herbs are fun, but not required. A sprig of thyme looks lovely: rosemary would also look nice!

More apple cider co*cktails

Looking for other types of apple cider co*cktails? There are so many different ways to use apple cider in a mixed drink. Here are a few ideas:

When to serve an apple cider co*cktail

This apple cider co*cktail is perfect for cool weather! It’s great for sipping as a:

• Fall drink
• Winter drink
• Signature drink
• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Late night drinks drink
• co*cktail hour drink

Print

More fall drinks

This apple cider co*cktail is perfect for fall! A few more great fall co*cktails to try:

• Apple Cider Slushie This apple cider slushie is so easy to make and looks stunning! With a hint of cinnamon and cloves, it’s perfectly cozy.
• Mulled Wine Recipe Both sweet and savory and is perfect for serving at holiday parties. Make it in a slow cooker to keep it warm for hours.
• Classic Hot Toddy A classic warming winter drink for cold weather! It’s quick and easy, made with bourbon, lemon and hot water.