Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
The Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail blends apple cider, bourbon, orange juices, apple butter, and optional balsamic vinegar with ginger beer to create a layered autumnal drink. Shaken well with ice and strained into a glass, this cocktail balances the sweetness and spice from apple cider and orange zest alongside the warmth of bourbon. The addition of apple butter adds body, while the ginger beer topping provides effervescence. Garnishes like apple slices, orange, cinnamon sticks, or herbs enhance the presentation and flavor nuances of the cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup apple cider spiced or regular (not vinegar!)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice fresh squeezed is best
- 1 ½ - 2 tablespoons bourbon or your favorite whiskey
- 1 tablespoon apple butter
- 1/2-1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar optional, but try it!
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or try bourbon vanilla extract
- ginger beer or use your favorite mixer, see notes for ideas
Garnish (optional)
- apple Honeycrisp variety, sliced
- orange slice
- cinnamon stick
- rosemary or thyme
Instructions
- In a mason jar or a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients except the ginger beer, give it 15-20 good shakes.
- Add ice to a cocktail glass, place sieve over the top and strain the apple cider bourbon into the glass. Top with ginger beer, give it a gentle stir, garnish as desired.
Notes
- You can prepare the cocktail mixture ahead, keeping ginger beer separate until serving.
- Store any leftover cocktail in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- The recipe scales well for larger batches; simply multiply ingredients and serve over ice, topped with ginger beer.
- Substitute lemon juice or maple syrup for balsamic vinegar for varied acidity and sweetness levels.
- Use cinnamon whisky instead of bourbon for a spiced variation.
- Alternative mixers include club soda, sparkling water, ginger kombucha, or grapefruit mixer for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 Cocktail
Amount Per Serving
Calories 213
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1glass | |
| Calories | 213kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 0.4g | 1% |
| Fat | 0.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.03g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.04g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Sodium | 10mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 220mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 81IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 20mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.