Fall is officially in full swing with this apple cider cocktail! You can't go wrong with a naturally gluten free drink that's full of the flavors of apple pie and bourbon, that's ready in no time. Cozy up with this perfect autumn drink that you can make in under 10 minutes.
We include lots of process pictures in the body of the text, as well as ideas for substitutions and more. Feel free to skip to the recipe card if you'd like to get right into it. This recipe is also available as a Google Web Story here!
Ingredients:
- Honey crisp apples - Or any variety you prefer. We use about a quarter to one half of a large apple, and then muddle it at the bottom of a cocktail shaker before adding the other ingredients.
- Maple syrup replacement - Since we eat a lower carb diet, we often use a lower sugar alternative to regular maple syrup. Although, the traditional stuff will work of course too. Sweeten the drink to taste!
- Lemon juice - Freshly squeezed, to add a bit of sweetness and acidity
- Ground cinnamon & nutmeg - Just a pinch of both, and they are optional, but it adds a lovely warming, fall flavor to this drink.
- Angostura bitters - Optional, but balances this drink with a small amount of bitterness. The drink is fairly sweet otherwise.
- Bourbon - Use something you really enjoy here, anything goes!
- Dry hard apple cider - We will use the hard apple cider to infuse more apple flavor into the drink, as well as some fizz, and a little bit more alcohol. You could use our homemade spiced apple cider instead, or even a little apple juice. We chose dry hard cider to tone down some of the sweetness in this recipe, here's a good list of some ciders that are less sweet.
- Garnish with: apple slices, cinnamon sticks, edible flowers, thyme sprigs (optional)
How to Make an Apple Cider Bourbon Smash:
Step 1: Muddle
Add apples, ground cinnamon and nutmeg to the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
Add lemon juice and sugar free maple syrup.
Pour in the bourbon.
Muddle very well.
Step 2: Shake
Fill the cocktail shaker with ice & shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Strain
Double strain into an ice filled glass.
Step 4: Top & Garnish
Top with dry hard apple cider. Garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, thyme sprigs, edible flowers, or whatever you like!
Tips For The Best Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail:
- Serve right away. To make a larger batch, pre mix all ingredients except for the the hard apple cider. Pour into a large punch bowl or serving container, then serve with ice and top with cider before serving.
- Sweeten this drink to taste. It may also depend on the type of apple and hard cider that you use.
While we are actually using alcoholic cider instead of plain apple cider in this drink, there's a reason why bourbon is such a perfect match. The warm, oaky flavors of bourbon pair perfectly with apple cider & all things apple.
Some other good alcohols that go well with apple items include: whiskey, scotch, beer, sparkling wine, rum, vodka and even mezcal and tequila.
More Fall Recipes To Try:
- Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail (made with our homemade sugar free grenadine, and apple cider!)
- Fall Harvest Whiskey Sangria
- Sugar Free Apple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour
- Apple Crumble Bars
- Apple Cider Mimosa with Spiced Rum
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Until Next Time,
Briana & Chamere
Bourbon Apple Smash Cocktail (Refined Sugar Free)
Ingredients
- 1/4 large honey crisp apple
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup replacement (could use regular maple syrup if not watching carbs)
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Dash Angosturra bitters (optional)
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- Pinch ground nutmeg (optional)
- Ice to fill shaker + for the glass
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounces dry hard cider to top drink
- Garnish with apple wedge, cinnamon stick, lemon, thyme springs (optional)
Instructions
- Muddle apple in the bottom of a cocktail shaker with sugar free maple syrup, lemon, warming spices, bitters and sugar free maple syrup.
- Pour in bourbon, then add ice to fill shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds to chill. Double strain into an ice filled glass. Top with dry apple cider, and garnish with cinnamon sticks, apple slices and thyme if desired.
- Serve right away. To make a larger batch, pre mix all ingredients except for the the hard apple cider. Pour into a large punch bowl or serving container, then serve with ice and top with cider before serving.
Notes
- Use whatever your favorite type of apple is, and be aware that the nutrition facts may vary depending on the apple.
- A dry hard cider was used for this cocktail, use your favorite variety.
- Regular maple syrup can be used in place of sugar free maple syrup but it will greatly impact the carbs, sugar, and calories.
Nutrition
These nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy and are only estimates. We cannot guarantee the accuracy.
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