Paul Kushner
Welcome to the world of delicious and refreshing cider cocktails! If you’re a fan of crisp apple flavors with a hint of fizz, then you’re in for a treat.
Cider, the popular fermented beverage made from apples, has been gaining popularity in recent years as a versatile and flavorful ingredient in cocktails.
From classic favorites to innovative new concoctions, cider cocktails offer a unique twist on traditional mixed drinks.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the best cider cocktails that are perfect for any season, whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer sipper or a cozy winter warmer.
Get ready to discover some amazing recipes that will elevate your bartending game and impress your guests at your next gathering.
Cheers to the perfect blend of cider and spirits in these irresistible libations!
Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
Enjoy a Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail to indulge in the warm and soothing aromas of the autumn season.
This wonderful drink is the ideal fusion of smooth bourbon, the soft warmth of ginger beer, and sweet and tart apple cider.
This thoughtfully crafted mixture results in a cool yet warm beverage that’s great for year-round consumption or for drinking on brisk autumnal evenings.
This cocktail’s natural sweetness and refreshing tang are added by starting with chilled apple cider.
Pour in a generous amount of your preferred bourbon to give the dish a rich, caramel-like flavor with a touch of wood.
A drizzle of maple syrup can be added as an optional touch of sweetness to accentuate the fall tastes.
Mulled Cider
Start with a premium apple cider to create Mulled Cider, which acts as the foundation for this delectable mixture.
Cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, cloves, and thinly sliced oranges are added after it has been poured into a pot. These ingredients release their tempting smells while they steep in the cider.
A symphony of flavor and perfume is produced as the mixture simmers on the burner and the spices infuse the cider with their comforting tastes.
The allspice berries and cloves offer their spicy and peppery tones, while the cinnamon adds a sweet and woodsy aroma. Oranges add a blast of zesty brightness that counteracts the cider’s sweetness.
You can spike this cider with rum or whiskey, or enjoy it as a non-alcoholic drink!
Apple Manhattan
With an Apple Manhattan, indulge in the ideal fusion of traditional tastes and a seasonal touch.
The rich and smooth tastes of whiskey and sweet vermouth are combined in this elegant drink, which is a contemporary take on the classic Manhattan.
Apple cider, bitters, and simple syrup provide complexity, while the acidity of lemon juice and the acidic sweetness of apple cider are also present.
The Apple Manhattan is a classy and sophisticated drink that perfectly encapsulates the flavors of fall in a cup.
Its flavorful fusion makes it the ideal choice for special occasions or intimate gatherings where you can enjoy its sophisticated yet approachable flavor.
Cheers! Raise a glass to the elegance of this seasonally inspired drink.
Stone Fence Cocktail
Start by pouring a sizable amount of rye whiskey, which is renowned for its strong and peppery flavor, into a cocktail glass.
For a rich and flavorful base for your drink, choose a premium rye whiskey.
Adjust the amount of apple cider to your preferred level of sweetness and add to taste.
Then, three bitters are added to bring the beverage’s flavor to a whole new level.
Peychaud’s bitters add a touch of sweetness and a whiff of anise, while a few dashes of Angostura bitters add a warm, fragrant accent.
Last but not least, a dash of orange bitters offers a zesty and tangy twist that perfectly harmonizes all the tastes.
Cognac Apple Cider
A sophisticated and opulent take on a traditional fall beverage, cognac apple cider will elevate your autumnal drinking experience.
This delicious cocktail combines the silky, rich flavors of cognac with apple cider’s inherent sweetness, fresh orange and cinnamon’s aromatic notes, and orange liqueur’s bright, zesty overtones.
Start by mixing cognac and orange liqueur in a cocktail shaker to make this chic elixir.
A velvety and nuanced base is provided by the cognac, and a zesty brightness and a hint of sweetness are added by the orange liqueur.
Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
Start by mixing apple cider, bourbon, and a few dashes of orange bitters in a cocktail shaker to create this delectable mixture.
The apple cider lends a hint of sweetnesms and tanginess that nicely complements the whiskey, while the bourbon provides a rich and smooth basis.
Then, add a cinnamon stick and a sprig of fresh thyme to the mixture, allowing the herbs and spices to permeate their flavorful aromas into the beverage.
Give the cocktail a thorough shake to combine all the flavors and create a pleasant blend.
Bourbon Pear Cider
Enjoy a Bourbon Pear Cider to fully experience the tastes of the fall season.
This pleasant and fragrant cocktail combines the smooth warmth of Kentucky bourbon, the natural sweetness of ripe bosc pears, and the cooling fizz of soda water.
With the addition of honey, cinnamon, sugar, and fresh sage leaves, this excellent libation is elevated, yielding a refined yet soothing beverage.
For an aromatic and eye-catching finishing touch that gives the cocktail an air of earthy refinement, garnish with a fresh sage leaf.
With the warmth of bourbon, the sweetness of pears, and the aromatic undertones of cinnamon, sage, and honey, the end result is a seductive and decadent beverage that captures the spirit of autumn.
Hot Buttered Rhum Cider
Enjoy the richness and warmth of a Hot Buttered Rhum Cider, a warm and fragrant cocktail ideal for winter evenings.
A cinnamon stick, star anise, and an orange peel studded with a clove are used to decorate this excellent concoction, which also contains aged Haitian rum, preferably Barbancourt 8 year, as well as spiced compound butter and mulled apple cider.
Start by preparing a spiced compound butter by mixing butter with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to produce a rich and aromatic base for this sweet elixir.
Then, heated mulled apple cider, a delicious concoction of apple cider infused with warm spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves, to a warm but not boiling temperature.
Gin, Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Cocktail
In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, apple juice, or cider to begin making this cool recipe.
To cool the ingredients and enable the flavors to mingle, give it a good shake.
Pour the mixture through a strainer into a glass with ice, and then top it up with cold ginger beer to give it a zesty, effervescent kick.
The end product is a zingy drink that combines the botanical qualities of gin with the sweet and acidic flavors of apple cider and is wonderfully balanced by the ginger beer’s zing.
It’s a lovely drink that’s ideal for enjoying during the fall or whenever you want a crisp, refreshing cocktail with a hint of warmth.
Rum Cider
A Rum Cider cocktail will transport your taste buds to a warm and inviting autumnal hideaway.
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This lovely beverage is the definition of comfort in a glass and is made with BACARDI Carta Oro gold rum, apple cider, chamomile tea, demerara syrup, and fresh lemon juice.
It is a visual and gustatory pleasure because it is garnished with a lemon wheel and nutmeg powder.
As a finishing touch, sprinkle a dash of nutmeg over the cocktail to release its warm, aromatic overtones, which are the ideal complement to the tastes of the rum and cider.
Smooth gold rum, hearty apple cider, fragrant chamomile tea, and tart lemon juice combine harmoniously, and they are all complemented by demerara syrup’s sweetness and nutmeg’s warmth.
Cider and Maple Old Fashioned
A Cider and Maple Old Fashioned cocktail will help you indulge in the hearty aromas of autumn.
This drink is the ideal fusion of traditional and seasonal ingredients, made with smooth bourbon, pure maple syrup, apple cider, and a touch of orange bitters.
The drink is finished with a garnish of cinnamon sticks and is sure to be a hit.
Start by blending bourbon, pure maple syrup, apple cider, and a touch of orange bitters in a mixing glass to make this wonderful concoction.
Gently stir the ingredients to combine the flavors and fully absorb the maple syrup’s richness.
Pour the concoction through a strainer into a glass with ice, then top it off with a cinnamon stick to release its enticing aroma.
Hard Apple Cider Cocktail
A hard apple cider cocktail, a wonderful libation that mixes the boldness of rye whiskey with the natural sweetness of fresh apple cider, has a crisp and refreshing flavor.
This cocktail is the ideal fusion of tastes that will improve your cocktail game, with a dash of lemon juice and a drizzle of maple syrup for balance.
Start by mixing rye whiskey, fresh apple cider, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a shaker to make this alluring beverage.
After giving the mixture a vigorous shake with ice to freeze and thin it out, strain it into an ice-filled glass.
For a gorgeous display, add apple slices and rosemary stems as garnish.
Alfie’s Apple
Alfie’s Apple is a unique cocktail that will tantalize your taste buds with its combination of smoky mezcal, floral St-Germain, fresh apple cider, and tart lemon juice.
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This cocktail has a pleasing harmony of sweet, smokey, and acidic aromas with a splash of honey syrup and a dash of Chinese five-spice powder.
The end result is a cocktail that is both daring and elegant, with the sharpness of fresh apple cider and lemon juice counterbalancing the mezcal’s smoky flavors with the flowery sweetness of St-Germain.
The Sidral Mundet soda adds effervescence, and the honey syrup offers a deep depth for a lovely drinking experience.
Bourbon Maple Apple Cider
Whether you want a warm or a cold apple cider cocktail, this bourbon maple apple cider drink could be perfect for your fall party.
It is sweet and savory with a touch of bourbon spice. With a straightforward recipe and only a few ingredients, you can make a delicious bourbon-focused apple cider drink.
All you’ll need is your bourbon of choice, spiced apple cider, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Garnish with an apple slice for a gorgeous fall cocktail!
Poisoned Apple Cider Cocktail
Although it’s not actually poisoned, this cocktail has a beautiful, mystical swirled look that creates an eerie final product.
With gold dust and grenadine, the spiced rum and apple cider that complete this recipe swirl together in what looks like a magical potion.
But, in reality, it’s a delicious drink (edible gold is optional but worth it for the look).
Apple Cider Margarita
There’s no more classic drink than a margarita, but if you’re hosting a fall festival or apple-themed party, margaritas do not fit the theme.
Switch it up with an apple cider margarita. It still features tequila, but the glass is rimmed with brown sugar and cinnamon instead of salt.
Apple cider, Grand Marnier, and lime juice finish out this simple recipe. This is one of my favorite fall tequila cocktails!
Apple Cider Sangria
Sangria is a wine and fruit juice mix that tastes perfect cold or warm.
It’s already an amazing fall drink, but switch out the berries and red wine for apple cider for a true treat.
With white wine and ginger beer for a kick, this recipe is easy and delicious. You can make a larger batch if you have a party!
Apple Cider Sidecar
Drinking a sidecar is supposed to feel like the luxury and quality of going for a ride in a motorcycle sidecar.
An apple sidecar does the same thing but adds a bit more apple sweetness to the orange tang.
While the ingredients of this cocktail – Cointreau and cognac – aren’t as common, it still makes an amazing drink!
Pair those with your favorite apple cider and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and you have an elegant apple cider cocktail!
Caramel Vodka Apple Cider Cocktail
If you’re looking for something extremely easy to make and not too expensive, try this caramel apple vodka cocktail.
All you need is caramel-flavored vodka and apple cider. If you have a bottle of caramel vodka and you’re not sure how to drink it, this is the perfect recipe!
I promise it tastes just like the caramel apple lollipops you used to have as a kid, just with a twist of alcohol!
Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita
This isn’t the only apple cider margarita on the list, but this one has a bit of a twist.
Instead of tequila, the traditional margarita liquor, this cocktail adds a touch of smokiness with mezcal.
It gives the drink some added warmth and makes it better heated up than tequila, which can get too sharp when heated.
Try this smoky fall margarita for a twist on your usual cider cocktail!
Apple Cider Old Fashioned
An old-fashioned is a remarkably simple drink, with good whiskey, some bitters, and a bit of sugar or simple syrup.
Add some apple cider and a touch of maple syrup to that, and you get a wonderfully spiced, warm drink that will stay with you for a while.
This recipe is easy to make and might just become a favorite!
Spiced Apple Cider Rum Punch
One of the only drinks on this list that probably shouldn’t be warmed up, this rum punch cocktail was meant to be served cold.
With rum, cider, spices, and lemon juice, it’s the perfect mix for a party.
This recipe is simple to make and can serve up an entire batch of punch. Make it for your next fall party!
Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule
Everyone loves a good Moscow Mule – from the fresh ginger and lime to the copper mugs, they are a cocktail classic.
Instead of vodka, this recipe uses Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey. It adds spice and creates the perfect counterpoint to the cider, lime, and ginger beer that were also involved.
The result is a fall whiskey twist on the classic mule.
Apple Cider Mojito
When you think of fall drinks, a mojito probably doesn’t come to mind.
These fresh, light and cool drinks are usually a staple of summer brunches. However, by adding some apple cider to the mix, you can make a unique mojito for your early fall brunches and prepare for apple cider season in earnest.
You’ll still use the classic ingredients like white rum, lime juice, mint, and simple syrup, but add in apple cider and top it with club soda.
Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail
Usually, when we talk about spices in fall, we think of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.
However, this drink takes it up a notch and throws in a more summery spice – the habanero pepper.
Some dark rum, apple cider, fresh ginger, and cinnamon will really spice up your fall with this drink.
If you like a spicy cocktail, this one brings the spice as well as the fall flavors you love in apple cider.
Apple Cider Amaretto Sour
An amaretto sour is yet another classic drink made better by apple cider.
If you like the taste of amaretto with lemon or lime juice, prepare yourself for the richness and tartness of apple cider instead.
Garnished with a maraschino cherry, this is the perfect drink for sipping by the bonfire.
Smoked Cinnamon Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
This cocktail is very similar to others that combine bourbon and apple cider.
It has whiskey (well, bourbon), cider, and other flavorings. However, it’s much more complicated to make, as it has multiple ingredients and a few steps for smoking the drink.
If you want a more advanced bartending technique, follow this recipe for a delicious smoked cider beverage.
29 Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes
Check out our favorite cider cocktails for fall!
Ingredients
- Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
- Mulled Cider
- Apple Manhattan
- Stone Fence Cocktail
- Cognac apple cider
- Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
- Bourbon Pear Cider
- Smoky Mezcal Marg
- Hot Buttered Rhum Cider
- Gin, Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Cocktail
- Spiced Apple Fizz
- Rum Cider
- Cider and Maple Old Fashioned
- Hard Apple Cider Cocktail
- Alfie's Apple
- Bourbon Maple Apple Cider
- Poisoned Apple Cider Cocktail
- Apple Cider Margarita
- Apple Cider Sangria
- Apple Cider Sidecar
- Caramel Vodka Apple Cider Cocktail
- Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita
- Apple Cider Old Fashioned
- Spiced Apple Cider Rum Punch
- Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule
- Apple Cider Mojito
- Habanero Ginger Apple Cider Cocktail
- Apple Cider Amaretto Sour
- Smoked Cinnamon Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
Instructions
- Pick your favorite recipe
- Gather all the needed ingredients
- Prep a tasty cocktail in less than 5 minutes
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