Apple Cider co*cktail – WellPlated.com (2024)

I have an easy Apple Cider co*cktail to put a twinkle in your eye and add sparkle to your evening. Light, refreshing, and adaptable to just about any base alcohol you prefer, it’s just the spirited sip you need to toast the holidays.

This festive co*cktail is made with Apple Cider, bourbon, a squeeze of lemon, and ginger beer.

It’s wonderfully spiced, not too sweet, and perfect for the holiday season (like its morning cousin, Apple Cider Mimosa).

A garnish of apple slices, cinnamon, and thyme makes it beautiful enough for an intimate special occasion, while its fast and easy preparation makes it the perfect apple cider co*cktail for a crowd.

Any evening would feel immediately cheerful with one of these drinks in your hand.

What I love most about this cold apple cider co*cktail is it’s easy to scale (like my favorite Christmas Punch).

I’ve included directions for both one drink and a pitcher, so whether you are pouring for two or a few, this simple co*cktail recipe has you covered.

How to Make an Apple Cider co*cktail

This co*cktail leans to the bright/refreshing side.

It will lighten up a winter evening and would be enjoyable as an early fall or even summer apple cider co*cktail too.

Since the ingredients here are few, be sure to choose each one carefully. I’ve suggested some of my favorites.

The Ingredients

• Bourbon. Choose something good enough to sip on its own, but not so high-end you want to avoid mixing it altogether. Bulleit, Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, and Buffalo Trace are my go-to’s for co*cktails like my Gold Rush co*cktail (and Bourbon Balls).

• Apple Cider. I like an organic unfiltered apple cider (it will look cloudy but has so much flavor). These are easy to find in the bottled juice section (shelf stable) at most grocery stores, or use my homemade Apple Cider recipe.

• Ginger Beer. A slightly sweet, slightly spicy non-alcoholic beverage that tastes delightful mixed into co*cktails. It has a stronger taste than ginger ale and is less carbonated. My top pick is Fever-Tree. It has the most pure, zesty flavor and will make your cold apple cider co*cktail shine.
• Lemon Juice. Helps the other flavors pop and adds a little pucker to balance the co*cktail and keep it from being too sweet.
• Orange Liqueur. Optional for an additional layer of “fancy.” I recommend Grand Marnier or Cointreau. Stay away from triple sec, as it is too cloyingly sweet.

The Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice and add all of the ingredients except the ginger beer.
2. Stir, add the ginger beer, then stir again.
3. Finish with garnishes. CHEERS!

Storage Tips

• To Store.This drink is best the day it is made; if you anticipate extra, add the ginger beer to the individual servings only, then refrigerate the bourbon/cider/orange liqueur base in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Top with fresh ginger beer just before serving.

• Pitcher. Perfect for making a larger batch of this co*cktail.
• Jigger. For precise measurements every time.
• Citrus Juicer. A tool worth having in your kitchen.

Whether you’ll be enjoying old holiday traditions or forging new ones this year, I am wishing you all a merry, meaningful season!

I hope this apple cider co*cktail brings a little extra spirit.♥️

(And, if you’re in need of a little extra holiday cheer, spiking a batch of my favorite Crockpot Hot Chocolate always does the trick for me!)