Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail
Oct 07, 2025
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A fall take on a classic, this Apple Cider Old Fashioned cocktail combines smooth bourbon, rich brown sugar, aromatic bitters and fresh apple cider for a seasonal spiced drink that will warm your whole body.
This is an especially easy cocktail to mix up when you have a fresh batch of my Easy Homemade Apple Cider chilling in the refrigerator.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Whether you’re looking for apple cider whiskey cocktails to serve for a fall dinner party or you want to elevate the bar offering for Thanksgiving, this is a simple way to spice up a drink that has a steady fan base.
Swapping the brown sugar in for a white sugar cube – the traditional ingredient in a regular old fashioned – and adding the splash of apple cider is all that varies from the traditional recipe. So, it’s easy to make a regular old fashioned or this Apple Cider Old Fashioned cocktail for guests who prefer one over the other.
Ingredients for an Apple Cider Old Fashioned
The ingredient list is rather simple, incorporating just a couple of fall flavor swaps to make this seasonal beverage shine.
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 ounces apple cider
- Orange twist, for garnish
- Apple slices, for garnish
How to Make These Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktails
Grab a rocks glass. Combine 1 teaspoon brown sugar, Angostura bitters and 2 ounces apple cider. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Add ice. Add a large ice cube or ball to the glass. You can use smaller cubes, though the larger cube will melt more slowly and evenly, helping maintain the strength and flavor of the drink.
Pour in the booze. Measure 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey and pour into the glass. Stir gently for about 15 seconds to chill and blend the flavors.
Garnish and serve. Peel an orange twist over the glass, then run it around the rim. Twist it and add to the glass. Add a few apple slices, fanned out for presentation. Serve immediately.
Garnishing Tip
Fan out the apple slices and use a toothpick to keep them in place for an elevated presentation.
Recipe Notes
- Bourbon vs. rye whiskey: Bourbon lends a smooth, caramel sweetness, while rye adds more spice and edge. Either works beautifully here, as the apple cider brings extra spice.
- Skip the sugar: If your apple cider is already on the sweeter side, you can omit the brown sugar or reduce it to ½ teaspoon.
- Try a cherry garnish: A traditional garnish for old fashioned cocktails is often a Luxardo cherry. Feel free to swap it in as an optional garnish instead of the apple slices.
- Best bourbon for old fashioned: For this recipe, choose a mid-range bourbon or whiskey with a warm, oaky flavor. Popular brands include Woodford Reserve, Elijah Craig or Four Roses Small Batch. My preference is Westland Whiskey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Both work with similar results. Bourbon gives a richer, vanilla-forward flavor, while rye whiskey brings more spice to balance the sweetness of apple cider.
If your cider is already rather sweet, you can skip the sugar. Otherwise, a small spoonful of brown sugar deepens the flavor and adds a nice molasses note.
Luxardo cherries are a traditional garnish for an old fashioned cocktail, though the orange twist and apple slice combination gives a nod to the seasonality of the drink.
While it wouldn’t be the same drink, as bitters and bourbon or whiskey are key elements, you could offer a glass of apple cider with a splash of soda water for fizz. Serve it in a rocks glass with a large cube and a slices of orange and apple to differentiate it from the boozy version.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this cocktail as a welcome drink for a fall dinner, paired alongside rosemary cashews or a cheese board with sharp cheddar and maple candied pecans. It’s a cozy, spirit-forward drink that might just become your seasonal go-to cocktail.
Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 ounces apple cider
- Orange twist, for garnish
- Apple slices, for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, add 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 3 dashes Angostura bitters and 2 ounces apple cider. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Add a large cube to the glass. Pour over 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey and stir with a cocktail spoon.
- Garnish with an orange twist and apple slices. Serve.
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