Apple Cider Old-Fashioned Cocktail
This apple cider old-fashioned is the classic cocktail with a fun fall twist! You’re just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes away from sipping on this cozy, but crisp and refreshing beverage.
Recipe overview: Apple Cider Old-Fashioned Cocktail
- Flavor: A cozy fall cocktail with crisp apple cider, warm bourbon, and subtle caramel notes from brown sugar.
- Quick and easy: Just 4 main ingredients and 5 minutes to make, with no special cocktail equipment needed.
- Customizable sweetness: Use light or dark brown sugar, or skip it entirely if your apple cider is already sweet enough.
- Perfect for fall entertaining: Make individual cocktails or mix a larger batch in a pitcher for Thanksgiving, holiday parties, or other gatherings.
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My husband and I love bourbon whiskey and old fashioned cocktails are a staple in our house, especially during the colder months when whiskey feels extra cozy and warming. This version includes apple cider, brown sugar and a few fun garnishes like apples slices or cinnamon stick so it’s perfect for fall.Â
If you love bourbon, or if you’re looking for a fall-themed cocktail for the holidays or entertaining, then you simply have to try this apple cider old fashioned!
And if you’re looking for another great apple cider cocktail, be sure to also try my spiced apple cider sangria.
“A delicious cocktail, even for someone who is not the biggest fan of bourbon. I used less bourbon and much more cider and it was delicious. I particularly liked the cinnamon stick, and found that if I stirred with it, I could taste the cinnamon. Thanks!” — from reader Vivian
What’s an old fashioned cocktail?
A classic old-fashioned cocktail is a simple mix of sugar, bitters, and bourbon or rye whiskey, usually garnished with a twist of citrus, and served over ice in a lowball glass.Â
So what’s different about this cocktail? I’ve added a splash of apple cider and used brown sugar in place of a sugar cube or simple syrup. It infuses the drink with apple flavor and hints of caramel. Top it off with some seasonal garnishes and you’re all set!
Ingredients you’ll need
- Fresh unfiltered apple cider: Look for it in the refrigerated section at your grocery store, or buy directly from a local orchard. “Simply Apple” juice is a widely-accessible option if you can’t find fresh apple cider.
- Bourbon or rye whiskey: Bourbon generally brings a sweeter, rounder flavor, while rye gives the cocktail a spicier edge.
- Angostura bitters: You can find it in most grocery and liquor stores in a little bottle with white wrapping. It’s the ultimate classic bitters so most places will carry it.
- Light or dark brown sugar: Some readers have commented that extra sugar isn’t needed. If you have a really nice flavorful apple cider, that may be plenty sweetness enough.
Old-fashioned garnish suggestions
While not completely necessary, these garnishes complete the cocktail. Choose one or several!
- Orange twist or slice
- Apple slices
- Cinnamon stick
- Luxardo cherries
How to make this apple cider old-fashioned cocktail
- Combine apple cider, brown sugar and bitters. Stir together in a lowball glass until sugar is dissolved.
- Add ice and bourbon. And lightly stir until combined.
- Top with garnishes. An orange twist is the signature garnish for an old-fashioned cocktail, but apple slices, cinnamon stick and/or a cherry are a great way to add a fall twist.
- Serve. Enjoy this cocktail immediately!
Recipe FAQs
To make this into an alcohol-free mocktail, here is one suggestion: Omit whiskey and bitters, and increase apple cider to 3oz and add 1oz of club soda or ginger ale. Be sure to include garnishes!
I generally choose moderately high quality bourbon for recipes like this. The quality is great, but it’s also not the highest (and therefore most expensive). Nationwide brands in the U.S. that are great options include Wild Turkey, Evan Williams, Maker’s Mark and Elijah Craig.
More fall and winter drinks you’ll love
- Spiced Apple Cider Sangria
- Cranberry Gin Fizz Cocktail
- Holiday Punch (Family-Friendly!)
- Boozy Hot Wassail
Have you tried this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious.
Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces quality apple cider or juice
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar (see Notes)
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- Ice , for serving
Optional garnishes
- Orange slice or twist
- Apple slices
- Luxardo maraschino cherries
- Cinnamon stick
Instructions
- In a lowball glass, combine the apple cider or juice, bitters, and sugar. Swirl glass around or stir until mixture is combined and sugar is dissolved. 2 ounces quality apple cider or juice, 1 dash Angostura bitters, ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- Add the ice and whiskey and give it a quick stir.2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- Top with garnishes like apple slices, orange slices, cinnamon stick or cherries. Use some or all! Serve immediately.
Notes
- Brown sugar: Some readers have commented that extra sugar isn’t needed. If you have a really nice flavorful apple cider, that may be sweet enough and you can omit the brown sugar.
- Make it a mocktail: Omit whiskey and bitters, and increase apple cider to 3oz and add 1oz of club soda or ginger ale. Don’t skip the garnishes.
- Make a batch for a party: This recipe can be doubled, tripled, etc. as needed. To prepare bulk drinks in advance, mix everything but ice in a small pitcher and keep chilled in the fridge. Pour over ice into individual glasses when ready to serve.
This recipe was originally published October 2013.
Ryan: I’m coming to your house to imbibe.
My family made this in sweet Georgia. To die for. A whole kettle full all night for 25 people. Kept warm. Â Used bourbon, Â brown sugar, nice big orange slices and apple cider. So smooth. Â Use all those ingredients. Â What a spread, also. Ham, dips, desserts, you name it.
Brussels sprouts with bacon. Plenty of chips. And fresh shrimp. Fruit cup. Â Try for ValentinesDay.
Has anyone tried this in a Brandy version?
A delicious cocktail, even for someone who is not the biggest fan of bourbon. I used less bourbon and much more cider and it was delicious. I particularly liked the cinnamon stick, and found that if I stirred with it, I could taste the cinnamon. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the cocktail, thanks for the feedback! 🙂
Sounds great but made this with a few variations. Muddled granny smith apple with apple bourbon bitters and brandied cherry. Topped with Makers Mark and a splash of sparkling apple cider.
Great variations – thanks for sharing!
Leave the brown sugar out! Really, unless you have some extremely puckeriffic, ultra-malic-acidic, omfgmytonguefellout cider, leave out the brown sugar. A proper Old Fashioned would have about 1/2 ounce of simple syrup to 2 ounces bourbon or rye. Commercial simple syrups can vary, but a good rule of thumb for the better ones is 7-9g sugar per half ounce. 2 ounces apple cider has about 6-7g sugar. Adding an entire teaspoon of brown sugar on top of this would make something sweeter than Kool-Ade. Doubling up fruit would make it even worse. Leave out the orange and don’t add any sugar.
Agree Bryan! If your cider is good that’s all the sweetness you need.
Yum I love whiskey too! And old fashioned’s (how do you pluralize that? Haha) we are getting married next fall maybe I’ll make it our signature cocktail!
You know what I say to High West? Hell yes. Great recipe for a sipper by the fire!
Ooooohhh….I love me an old fashioned cider cocktail! We should whip these up in December!