Let’s snuggle up with this warming apple cider old fashioned to get through these chilly months. Full of apple spice, rich dark brown sugar and touch of orange, this seasonal old fashioned brings all your favorite fall flavors together and takes only minutes to whip up. Grab a spot by the fire with this apple cider old fashioned in hand and you’re in for one cozy evening.
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When I’m in the mood for a leisurely sipper, nothing satisfies that craving like a good old fashioned. Sometimes I like to stick to the classic recipe, but with these crisp autumn days, we could all use something with a little extra warming power.
Enter our apple cider addition. With the apple cider’s cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and allspice, we get a punch of spice that makes for the perfect warming cocktail. I don’t know about you, but once October hits, I basically enter a permanent state of cold until about April, so a warming cocktail works wonders on my body.
Ingredients
Let's get to sipping. Here's everything we need to make this apple cider old fashioned.
- Bourbon
- Apple cider, homemade or store-bought
- Dark brown sugar
- Fresh orange peel
- Water
- Bitters
- Ice
For the bourbon, I recommend a high-quality yet reasonably priced bourbon. Bad, cheap bourbon will wreck you, but with the apple cider, bitters, orange peel and dark brown sugar, we’re adding enough extra ingredients that we don't want to mask something like a Pappy Van Winkle. Makers Mark, Elijah Craig, Four Roses and Stranahan’s are some delicious options.
Step-by-Step Instructions
OK, I’m thirsty. Let’s start bartending.
With an old fashioned, we can build the drink directly in our serving glass, or we can use a mixing glass. The mixing glass is convenient if you’re making old fashioneds for a crowd but don’t feel like it’s necessary.
Now that we have our mixing or serving glass, we add a teaspoon of dark brown sugar with a few dashes of bitters, a bar spoonful of water and an orange peel slice and muddle everything until the sugar smooths out. From here, we add our bourbon of choice, apple cider and ice.
While standard ice cubes work fine, but I prefer using one large ice cube. A good old fashioned is a slow sipper, so with one large ice cube, we don’t have to worry about the ice melting too quickly and diluting our drink.
Now we stir our old fashioned for about 15 seconds —- just enough to chill it. Again, we don’t want to dilute this cocktail, and too much stirring does just that.
If using a mixing glass, we strain the apple cider old fashioned into our serving glass, and we’re ready to sip the night away. Tasty, huh?
Perfect Pairing
Look no further than my apple cider pot roast, friends! Bourbon is a great choice with roasted meat —- it’s bold enough to stand up to that hearty cut, and the caramel notes from the bourbon pair perfectly from the caramelization of the beef. And, of course, the spices between the two are a natural match.
When only the coziest cocktail will do, I hope you try this apple cider old fashioned. Please let me know how you enjoyed this apple cider old fashioned recipe in the comment section and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also catch me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.
Cheers!
Need More Fall Cocktails?
- Plum-thyme margarita
- Chai-cranberry bourbon smash
- Gingered bourbon-apple cider cocktail
- Sage-fig cocktail
Apple Cider Old Fashioned
Equipment
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Bar spoon
- Mixing glass or old fashioned glass
Ingredients
- 1 orange peel slice
- 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
- 2-4 dashes bitters
- 1 bar spoonful of water about 1 teaspoon
- 2 ounces apple cider homemade or store-bought
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Ice
Instructions
- In a mixing glass or old fashioned glass, add the orange peel slice and dark brown sugar. Sprinkle a few dashes of bitters on top as well as the bar spoonful of water. Muddle until the dark brown sugar smooths out.
- Pour in the apple cider and bourbon. Add ice. Stir for 15 seconds. If using a mixing glass, strain into an old fashioned glass and add ice. Enjoy!
Notes
- For the ice, I prefer to serve with one large ice cube rather than your typical smaller ice cubes to prevent dilution. You can find molds on Amazon.
- If using a mixing glass, I generally stir with those typical smaller ice cubes, and then I add one large ice cube after straining into the old fashioned glass.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
I've been wanting to make this since you shared it - so good! These went down way too easily, lol! Love that the fall apple flavors really come through.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Liz! ❤️
This sounds like a wonderful, belly-warming fall cocktail. I can't wait to try it
Perfect way to describe it, Liz!
The perfect fall cocktail! Love these flavors in the cool weather.
Same! Glad you enjoyed it. ?
Old fashioneds are my favorite cocktail so I am all in for these apple cider old fashioneds! What a fun twist on the classic drink for fall parties!
Sounds like this will be perfect for you!
This looks rich and amazing and I am going to make this as a gift for my neighbor.
I hope your neighbor loves it!
I love how you turned such a classic drink into the most perfect seasonal drink! Love the flavor profiles!
Thanks, Alena! I can never get enough seasonal sippers.
This looks so good! A perfect drink to try in this festive season! Love the garnish as well?
Thank you! I love it for the holidays!
I have never actually tried an old fashioned, but I would love to try it at home. This drink looks so perfect for the holiday season 🙂
It definitely is and so easy to make! Hope you try it.
I love everything about this apple cider old fashioned, especially the beautiful lemon peel garnish!
Thank you! I'm a sucker for a pretty garnish.
I made this for friends, and as well as tasting gorgeous, it made the kitchen smell so good!
I'm so glad to hear that, Jacqui!
I love absolutely anything with bourbon and apple cider. This has to be the best old fashioned ever! I am constantly cold for 6 months of the year too, it's just impossible to thaw. Good thing we have drinks like these, yum.
I can only imagine how cold it is on your side! Warming cocktails FTW!
Would you think I was an alcoholic if I came to your house and you made these and I said "fill the glass, please?" Cause that's exactly what I'd say. Thanks for sharing.
Not at all! A little cocktail fun is good for the soul. ??
I bought all of the ingredients for this drink, and am so excited to make it for a gathering this weekend. It looks amazing and I know it will be a hit!
I hope it is —- cheers!