Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
An apple cider bourbon cocktail topped with ginger beer, Lime juice, and a dash of ginger bitters. The perfect cozy cocktail for chilly weather.
I have been living under a blanket of heavy knits and hot soup and Sufjan Stevens for the past two weeks. AKA my Disneyland. Yesterday it officially snowed for the first time this year, and I think the temperatures have finally dropped for good. Just in time for Thanksgiving! This year, we’re spending Thanksgiving with my family, and I’m getting very excited for my dad’s BBQed turkey. And my mom’s cornbread-sausage stuffing. And my garlicky mashed potatoes! I honestly make the best mashed potatoes, because I melt probably two entire sticks of butter and a handful of salt into those bad boys. It’s the secret!
Thanksgiving is usually a hectic affair in my family. There are people everywhere. Commotion. BBQing turkeys in the snow. Plenty of wine. Last year, we went to Marc’s family’s house for Thanksgiving, and they are so…chill. Sure, they have two Thanksgivings, but it’s so relaxed around there. I honestly paced around not knowing what to do with myself. This year, I’ll be running around like a turkey with it’s…head cut off? Wow, that turned dark quick!
An apple cider bourbon cocktail for the holidays!
Anywayyys, this year I have to make an ass-ton of green beans, lots of mashed potatoes, probably pies? I don’t know, I should really figure my shit out. All I know for sure is that I definitely am in charge of cocktails! My fall cocktails last year had plenty of pomegranate and warm herbs and citrus. But this year, I was very determined to use apple!
Usually, as much as I love apple cider, I just find apple cocktails to be too sweet. BUT THEN. I had this perfectly-spiced, slightly tart, delicious cocktail at one of our favorite bars. It had fancy rum, green apple juice, nutmeg bitters, honey. I was in looove.
So, I came home and decided to recreate it! I ended up using bourbon instead of rum, because honestly, I already had it in the liquor cabinet. And to be honest, rum isn’t usually one of my favorite liquors. 🤷 But, if you have a nice rum you want to use, go for it!
Ingredients + how to make apple cider bourbon cocktails!
The best part of apple cider bourbon cocktails is that they’re the easiest ever! You only need a few ingredients: apple cider, bourbon (or rum), ginger beer, limes, and ginger bitters. I really love the ginger bitters from Hella Cocktail Co.! But, if you can’t find them (or just don’t want to), just use Angostura bitters.
To make this cocktail, seriously all you have to do is mix the apple cider and bourbon. Then, top with ice and ginger beer. Squeeze lime. Dash bitters. DONE. And, if you want to make apple cider bourbon cocktails for a crowd, just multiply the recipe by however many people you have and gently stir it in a big pitcher. Mix it up right before you’re ready to serve so the ginger beer doesn’t go flat!
Also, I did a scientific study and found that this cocktail is a huge hit at Friendsgiving parties. Even non-bourbon lovers had great things to say. 😛 Lots of friends + great food + plenty of booze to go around = a perfect night. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz bourbon (or rum)
- 2 oz apple cider
- 2 oz Ginger beer
- Squeeze lime juice
- 2 dashes ginger bitters (or bitters of choice)
Instructions
- In a rocks glass (mine are 10 oz.), gently stir together the apple cider and bourbon. Fill the glass with ice, and top with ginger beer. Finish with a squeeze of lime and two dashes of ginger bitters. Serve!
- To make this cocktail for a crowd, just multiply the recipe by however many people you are serving. Right before you are ready to serve, mix together the apple cider and bourbon in a pitcher. Gently stir in the ginger beer, lime juice, and ginger bitters. Serve over ice. Enjoy!
xo Sara Lynn
*Song of the day: The Only Thing by Sufjan Stevens
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