Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail (Easy & Cozy Fall Drink)

Name: Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon; 3 oz apple cider; ½ oz fresh lemon juice; 2 dashes Angostura bitters; 2 oz ginger beer; ice; thin apple slices; 1 cinnamon stick

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Apple cider season calls for a cocktail, don’t you think? This bourbon apple cider cocktail is crisp, cozy, and just boozy enough to make fall happy hour a little more interesting.

Fresh apple cider and bourbon are the stars here, with a splash of lemon juice to brighten things up, a few dashes of bitters for that warm, spiced flavour, and ginger beer for a little fizz. It’s refreshing, not overly sweet, and comes together in just 5 minutes. No fancy bartending skills required!

Serve it up for Thanksgiving, a fall get-together, or a cozy night in with a bowl of spiced candied cashews. Because a good cocktail deserves a good snack, obviously. And if pumpkin is more your thing, my pumpkin spice martini is another fall happy hour favourite worth trying!

Bourbon apple cider cocktail with ice, fresh apple slices, cinnamon stick, and star anise in a glass on a decorative coaster.

This bourbon apple cider cocktail is also part of my Fall Recipe Series, where I’m sharing everything from cozy comfort foods to festive fall drinks to keep your autumn cravings covered!

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What’s in This Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail?

Bourbon

Bourbon brings those warm caramel, vanilla, and subtle oak notes that pair so well with apple cider. Look for one with a little character, ideally around 80–100 proof, so its flavour doesn’t get lost behind the cider. No need to break out the fancy stuff, though!

Apple Cider

Fresh, unfiltered apple cider is your best bet here. It gives the cocktail its crisp apple flavour and natural sweetness, so the better your cider tastes on its own, the better your drink will be.

Fresh lemon juice cuts through the sweetness, while a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters add a subtle hint of baking spice. A splash of ginger beer finishes things off with a little fizz and gentle ginger warmth without stealing the show.

Find the full ingredient list and exact measurements in the recipe card below.

Andrea’s Tips for a Better Bourbon Apple Cider

Get the bourbon-to-cider ratio right. I like using 2 oz of bourbon to 3 oz of apple cider. You get plenty of crisp apple flavour without completely hiding the bourbon. We want to taste both, after all!
Don’t skip the lemon juice or bitters. Apple cider is naturally sweet, and bourbon brings its own caramel and vanilla notes to the party. Fresh lemon juice adds brightness, while bitters bring a little spice and keep everything from tasting too sweet.
Let the ginger beer play a supporting role. A little fizz and ginger warmth are lovely here, but too much can overpower the apple and bourbon. Stick with the 2 oz to start, especially if your ginger beer has a strong kick.
Keep it cold without watering it down. A quick 8–10 second shake is all you need to chill the cocktail. Strain it over fresh ice so it stays crisp and refreshing instead of getting diluted before you’ve even had your first sip.

Bourbon apple cider cocktail with fresh apple slices, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and ice, surrounded by cozy fall decorations.

What Bourbon Goes Best With Apple Cider?

A good bourbon for apple cider has warm caramel, vanilla, and baking spice notes that complement the fruit without overpowering it. Look for something smooth with a little oak character, ideally around 80–100 proof, so the bourbon flavour still comes through.

You don’t need an expensive sipping bourbon for this cocktail, either. Something approachable like Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, or Wild Turkey 101 works well. Just avoid anything too mild, since the cider can easily steal the spotlight. And we can’t have bourbon playing hide-and-seek in a bourbon cocktail!

What to Serve With a Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

This fall cocktail is practically begging for a little something to snack on! Creamy cheeses, salty bites, and savoury appetizers pair especially well with the sweet apple cider and warming bourbon.

Try serving it alongside my baked brie with cranberries for a cozy fall spread, or whip up some ricotta and hot honey crostini for a sweet and savoury bite. A bowl of cinnamon roasted almonds or candied cashews are great options if you want something simple to nibble on between sips.

Bourbon apple cider cocktail with fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and ice in a glass, hand on the glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can, but fresh apple cider gives this cocktail a richer, more pronounced apple flavour. Apple juice tends to be lighter and sweeter, so you may need a little extra lemon juice to balance things out.

Absolutely! Mix the bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, and bitters ahead of time and keep everything chilled in the fridge. Just wait until you’re ready to serve before adding the ice and ginger beer so the cocktail stays cold and fizzy.

Yes! Ginger ale is generally sweeter and has a milder ginger flavour, so your cocktail will taste a little less spicy. If you make the swap, start with a smaller splash and adjust to taste.

Absolutely! This cocktail is great for fall parties and Thanksgiving gatherings. Simply multiply the bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, and bitters by the number of servings you need, then mix everything together in a pitcher and refrigerate until chilled. Add the ginger beer just before serving to keep things nice and fizzy, and let everyone pour their own over ice. Easy entertaining, without playing bartender all night!

Made this recipe? ⭐️ If you tried it, leave a star rating in the recipe card! It helps other home cooks know it’s worth making (and makes my day, too!).

Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

This bourbon apple cider cocktail mixes crisp apple cider, warming bourbon, bright lemon, and a splash of ginger beer for a cozy fall sip with a little fizz!

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 1 Cocktail

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

2 oz bourbon
3 oz apple cider (preferably fresh or unfiltered)
½ oz fresh lemon juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 oz ginger beer
ice (for shaking and serving)
thin apple slices (for garnish)
1 cinnamon stick (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the bourbon, apple cider, fresh lemon juice, and Angostura bitters.
Shake for 8–10 seconds, just until well chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Pour in the ginger beer and give the cocktail one gentle stir to combine.
Add a few thin apple slices and a cinnamon stick, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh apple cider. Unfiltered cider gives the best apple flavour. Lightly spiced cider works too, but avoid anything overly sweet.

Fresh lemon is best. Bottled lemon juice can taste harsh and won’t give the same fresh, bright finish.

Don’t over-shake. 8–10 seconds is plenty. Shaking too long can water down the cocktail.

Keep the fizz. Never shake the ginger beer! Add it directly to the glass after straining.

Make ahead: Mix the bourbon, cider, lemon juice, and bitters up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add ice and ginger beer just before serving.

Best served fresh. Once assembled, enjoy immediately while it’s cold and bubbly.

Nutrition

Don’t skip the good stuff —

scroll up above the recipe card for ingredient notes, tips & tricks, and easy swaps/variations.

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Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail