Whiskey Apple Cider Cocktail

If you love hard cider, or imbibing in the occasional bourbon, this Whiskey Apple Cider Cocktail will be your new favorite drink! Made with hard cider, apple cider, bitters and a shot of good whiskey or bourbon, this cocktail has all the amazing flavors of fall!

The BEST Apple Cider Cocktail recipe!

Have you ever gone apple picking? I hadn’t actually done this quintessential fall activity until I moved to the East coast, where it seems like it’s on everyone’s fall bucket-list. Since living here in the mid-Atlantic, apple-picking has become one of our favorite fall activities, along with bringing home plenty of fresh pressed apple cider.

With having plenty of apple cider on hand, I decided that a good cider cocktail is a must.  This Whiskey Apple Cider Cocktail is my new go-to cocktail for fall, and the perfect way to enjoy that fresh, delicious apple cider.

Here’s the simple directions to making this delicious whiskey cocktail:

Step 1: Fill a Cocktail Shaker with Ice and Add Ingredients

Making sure your ingredients are nice and cold is an essential aspect to this cocktail.  You’ll start with the cold apple cider, as well as a good hard apple cider beer. There are many hard ciders on the market, but I do love Angry Orchard – it has a fantastic apple flavor, and goes really well in this cocktail.

In addition to the ciders, you’ll also need to select a whiskey or bourbon. I chose this delicious Jack Daniels Honey Whiskey.  Technically this is not a bourbon, but the honey flavor is wonderfully complimentary in this drink.  Some other good bourbons are Woodford Reserve and Knob Creek.

Step 2: Add Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Once the ciders and whiskey are added to the shaker, add a splash or two of the bitters. My husband actually came across these bitters for making another cocktail, and he thought it would make the perfect addition to this drink.  He was spot on!

The aroma of these bitters smells exactly like fall – cinnamon spices, but without being too overpowering. You don’t want too much of this – just a few shakes, or a splash will go a long way.

Step 3: Shake and Pour Over Ice

Once all of the ingredients are in the shaker, fit the shaker tightly with lid and shake vigorously.  In a rocks glass filled with ice, strain the cocktail over the ice.  Top off the drink with additional hard apple cider beer, if desired.

Step 4: Add an Apple Slice and Enjoy!

I sliced up some crisp Golden Delicious apples that came back from our apple picking trip, but feel free to enjoy with any variety you prefer.  The cinnamon sticks are completely optional, but look quite attractive on top of the glass.  Feel free to add the cinnamon stick into the cocktail or use it as a stirrer for a little additional cinnamon flavor.

If you love this apple cider cocktail, and enjoy fall beers and harvest brews, then you should check out my Apple Cider Shandy over at Real Housemoms. 

This cocktail is perfect for imbibing for a fall brunch, or even tailgating at your next college football game!  It would be fantastic at a Halloween party, or fun at your next fall-themed soiree.

Hosting a party or event where you’ll have a buffet? Check out our post for 25 Easy Halloween Buffet Foods which is great for just about any holiday, party or hosting event.

Here’s a quick-reference shopping list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this Whiskey Apple Cider Cocktail:

• Apple Cider (Spiced or Regular)
• Hard Apple Cider Beer
• Whiskey or Bourbon
• Angostura Bitters
• Apples, for apple slices, if desired

(See recipe below for ingredient amounts and mixing directions.)

Apple Cider Cocktail FAQ’s:

What’s the difference between apple juice and apple cider?

Fresh apple cider is typically raw, unfiltered and relatively unprocessed. It often contains more apple pulp and sediment. Apple juice has been filtered to remove solids and pasteurized to stay fresher longer.

What do you spike cider with?

Rye Whiskey, which I’ve included in this recipe, is typically the most popular. Other liquor recommendations include spiced rum, beer, tequila, sparkling wine and scotch.

What are the most popular brands of Rye Whiskey to use in this cocktail?

Jack Daniels (used in this recipe), Woodford Reserve, Russel’s Reserve and Knob Creek are all popular brands. I recommend purchasing the best quality whiskey or bourbon you can afford.

If you loved this fantastic fall cocktail, be sure to check out some of my other apple cider recipes:

• Fireball Apple Cider Hot Toddy
• Hot Mulled Apple Cider
• Apple Cider Moscow Mule
• Apple Cider Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
• Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops

Here’s the recipe for this refreshing Whiskey Apple Cider Cocktail:

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Whiskey Apple Cider Cocktail

Erin Indahl-Fink

If you love hard cider, or imbibing in the occasional bourbon, this Whiskey Apple Cider Cocktail will be your new favorite drink! Made with hard cider, apple cider, bitters and a shot of good whiskey or bourbon, this cocktail has all the amazing flavors of fall!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks and Cocktails

Cuisine American

Servings 1 drink

Calories 130 kcal

Equipment

• Cocktail Shaker This useful glass cocktail shaker has measurements on the side for easy pouring!
• Rocks Glasses These rocks glasses are perfect for serving cocktails, margaritas and more!

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 oz. Apple Cider spiced or regular, chilled
• 2 oz. Hard Cider Beer chilled
• 1 oz. Honey Whiskey or Bourbon
• Splash of Angostura Bitters
• Apple slices optional

Instructions

 

• In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the apple cider, hard cider beer, whiskey and bitters. Fit with lid, making sure it’s tight, shake vigorously. In rocks glass filled with ice, pour cocktail over ice. Top off drink with additional hard cider beer. Add an apple slice for garnish, if desired. Enjoy right away while cold.

Notes

I used Jack Daniels Honey Whiskey, however, feel free to use your favorite whiskey or bourbon.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 1gSodium: 225mgSugar: 29g

Keyword whiskey apple cider cocktail, apple cider cocktail, fall cocktail recipes, whiskey cocktail

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