Perhaps the perfect fall beverage? This Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail is full of cozy fall flavors. Sweet apple cider, cinnamon, & ginger all pair beautifully with sweet American Bourbon. Grab your cozy scarfs, flannels, & bonfires this drink is going to need them!
This post may contain Affiliate Links.

Apple Cider and Bourbon
What a fantastic combo! Could anything be more fall.
- Apple Cider
- Cinnamon
- Bourbon
Okay so maybe bourbon is an all occasion spirit but man does it pair so nicely with apple cider.
This drink is a simple one to make and the sweetness from the apple cider definitely makes it a crowd pleaser so grab your bar tools and let’s get bartending.

Supplies
There are a couple pieces of barware for this drink that might come in handy: (the following are affiliate links)
- jigger
– Used for measuring ounces, specifically for bar keeping. If you make a lot of cocktails and don’t have one yet it’s an inexpensive tool worth having.
- large ice cube tray
– You don’t need need this, any ice will do but the large ice cubes work particularly well in drinks like this where you don’t want the ice melting too fast.
- nice glasses
– Another thing you don’t actually need but once we finally had nice whiskey glasses… forget about everything else, they make drinking a cocktail like this so enjoyable!
Equipment




Ingredients
You will need to gather:
- Apple Cider – The more fresh the better (I suppose you could sub in apple juice if you want but it will have a slightly different taste)
- Bourbon – I tried many brands while testing this drink and all were good, do to the sweetness of the drink I would even say that an affordable option like Maker’s Mark does well here
- Ginger Ale – just a splash for topping off your beverage
- Cinnamon Sticks – you’ll want these for both garnishing your drink and making the simple syrup, if you want to make this now and don’t have any sticks you can try using 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in the place of the 2 cinnamon sticks, although I personally don’t like this because it will leave the syrup and the drink grainy feeling which most find unpleasant
- Sugar – for making the cinnamon simple syrup
- Apples – a small sweet red one works best for slicing up to garnish your drink
- Water – for making the cinnamon simple syrup

How to make this Bourbon and Cider
You will start by making a delicious cinnamon syrup.
Add ½ cup water, ½ cup granulated sugar, and 2 cinnamon sticks to a small pot.
Over medium heat bring to a gentle boil, stirring the sugar to dissovle. Once the sugar is fully dissolved in the simmering pot turn off the heat.
Let rest to cool, keeping the cinnamon sticks in the syrup. Makes about 6 ounces, keep extra in an airtight container in the fridge.
And now you will be able to make your drink! BTW this cinnamon simple syrup is so good in so many things (try adding some to your coffee).
- In a glass add cinnamon simple syrup, apple cider, and bourbon. Stir and add ice.
- Top off with ginger ale over ice and garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
Now throw on your scarf, bring your drink out to the bonfire, and enjoy!

tips, tricks and questions
Variations:
If you love the idea of an apple drink for fall but you either don’t have bourbon or want to use a different alcohol I suggest checking out Apple Amaretto Sours, Apple Cider Moscow Mules, or this Apple Cider Margarita.
How is apple cider different than apple juice?
Apple cider which is used in this drink is fresh, unfiltered, and often unpasteurized. It’s also considered a seasonal drink and can be hard to find outside of the autumn months. Apple juice, is filtered and pasteurized, which gives it a longer shelf life, a sweeter taste, and a smoother texture.
Tip: If you are looking to keep your apple slices fresh while you mix up your drink add them to a bowl of water mixed with lemon juice.
Can I make this for a crowd?
Absolutely! Make a pitcher for a party! To make 8 servings: use 1/2 cup cinnamon simple syrup, 1 cup apple cider, 2 cups bourbon, and mix together. Add the Ginger Ale right before serving to either the pitcher or individual glasses to make sure it doesn’t lose its fizz.

If you like this Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail Recipe you might also like:
Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

This Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail is full of cozy fall flavors apple cider, cinnamon, & ginger ale all pair beautifully with sweet American Bourbon.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce cinnamon simple syrup (recipe below)
- 1 ounce apple cider
- 2 ounce bourbon
- splash ginger ale soda
- apple slices, to garnish
- cinnamon sticks, to garnish
Instructions
Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- Add ½ cup water, ½ cup granulated sugar, and 2 cinnamon sticks to a small pot. On medium heat bring to a gentle boil, stirring the sugar to dissovle. Once the sugar is fully dissolved in the simmering pot turn off the heat. Let rest to cool, keeping the cinnamon sticks in the syrup. Makes about 6 ounces, keep extra in an airtight container in the fridge.
Apple Cider Bourbon
- In a glass add cinnamon simple syrup, apple cider, and bourbon. Stir and add ice.
- Top off with ginger ale and garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
Notes
I tested quite a few bourbons in this drink and thought they all tasted wonderful, in the final recipe photos I used Maker's Mark.
Make a mocktail for non-drinkers and kids by subbing in extra apple cider for the bourbon (trust me, my kids loved it).
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 344Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 17mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 0gSugar: 52gProtein: 0g
Nutritional data is automated, final nutritional information will depend on ingredients used and any changes made.
Leave a Reply