Here’s a fun fall cocktail that’s ideal for any whiskey lover: try the Apple Cider Old Fashioned! Swapping out the sugar for apple cider syrup infuses fruity, spiced seasonal flavor into this classic drink. Each sip has notes of apple and orange, cinnamon and spice, and vanilla and oak. If you’re in the mood for a boozy showstopper, this is the drink for you!
Ingredients in an apple cider Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest cocktails in existence, first documented in the early 1800’s by a New York paper. This spin uses apple cider syrup instead of the standard sugar cube to infuse homey flavors into the drink. Using syrup in this drink is ideal because adding straight apple cider waters down the drink, making it more like a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
Apple cider syrup (see below) Angostura bitters Bourbon or rye whiskey Orange peel Apple slices and cocktail cherry, for garnish (optional) Large clear ice cube, for serving
Making apple cider syrup
The apple cider syrup is what makes this apple cider Old Fashioned sing! The boiled apple cider infuses apple and cinnamon flavor as well as sweetness. Here are a few things to note about this drink component:
It takes 30 minutes to make. Boil apple cider with sugar and a cinnamon stick for 30 to 35 minutes on the stovetop, until reduced and syrupy. Make a batch in advance. This is an easy component to make in advance and refrigerate until serving. It stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated. Want to use it for more drinks? Try the Fall Margarita!
Apple cider Old Fashioned: the quick way!
Don’t have 30 minutes to spare and want to whip up this apple cider Old Fashioned on demand? You can do that too. Follow the recipe below but use 1 tablespoon apple cider and 1 tablespoon simple syrup. Taste and adjust flavors as desired.
Step it up with clear ice
Want the very best Old Fashioned? Use clear ice. These are crystal clear ice cubes you can cut into organic shapes that make your drink look like it’s from a fancy bar. These contrast from the cloudy ice cubes that come from an ice try. They’re an absolute must for an Old Fashioned! Here’s how to do it:
Make clear ice in a small cooler. Go to How to Make Clear Ice for instructions! The cooler just needs to fit inside your freezer. Use a clear ice tray. We use this clear ice tray and it works well! It also fits easily into your freezer.
More fall cocktails
This apple cider Old Fashioned is great for any occasion, be it Thanksgiving, apple picking, Christmas, or any fall or winter gathering. And there are so many ways to use apple cider into cocktails! Here are a few more fun fall drinks that incorporate cider and other fall flavors:
Go for a Fall Margarita Opt for an Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail, Apple Cider Mule, Apple Cider Martini or Apple Cider Mimosa Try a Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail Go for Hot Toddy, Apple Cider Hot Toddy, Hot Buttered Rum or Spiked Apple Cider
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1/2 to 1 ounce apple cider syrup (see below or variation*) 4 dashes Angostura bitters 2 ounces** bourbon or rye whiskey Orange peel Apple slices and cocktail cherry, for garnish (optional) Large clear ice cube, for serving
For the apple cider syrup (makes ¾ cup)
4 cups apple cider ¼ cup granulated sugar 4 cinnamon sticks
**To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
