If you never tried this combination, I'll tell you something for sure - the strong fruity taste of the apple cider, the warming effect of the bourbon, the sweet honey and cinnamon flavor - all these are the perfect way to celebrate seasons transition.
My mind switched immediately to autumn mood as soon as the last day of August passed. Shorter days, velvety sunsets, cool breeze in the evening - they all made me crave for warming cocktails, to enjoy sip by sip, watching the mild light of autumn painting the leaves in yellow.
Fall's Perfect Cocktail
While apple cider has a lovely deliciousness in its simplicity, bourbon has a taste to explore and understand. But when you put them together, something miraculous happens - a flavored bourbon cider cocktail for bringing people together, something to warm up anyone's autumn mood (and bones).
Fun fact about bourbon, it actually has to fulfill a fixed set of rules in order to be considered true bourbon. This type of booze needs to be produced in the US from a grain mixture with at least 51% corn, and aged in new, charred oak. No wonder it's the alcohol of choice for many classic cocktails, as well as the occasional dessert. Have you ever had bourbon pumpkin pie? It's amazing!
The great thing about this cocktail recipe is that you can work it out any way you like. Wishing for more flavor? Be generous with autumn spices, like cardamom, cloves or nutmeg. Like more sweetness? Add a drizzle of honey. Looking to really warm up your bones? Don't skimp on the bourbon! We just love it when a cocktail is versatile like that, because who has the time to measure every tinee-tiny ounce?
I personally prefer my drinks to be balanced - not too sweet, not too boozy - so I use a reasonable bourbon quantity, just enough to fire up the apple cider, and I added just a little cinnamon for flavor, and a good quality, raw and organic honey for just enough sweetness.
Looking for even more bourbon cocktail ideas?
This Sparkling Fig & Honey Cocktail is a fresh alternative that also works great for fall. You can also add a splash of quality bourbon into your Turmeric Hot Toddy to warm up or infuse it with vanilla and coffee to enrich its taste.
Scroll down to get the Honey Bourbon Apple Cider recipe and consider making this cozy cocktail when you're in need of some hygge.
📖 Recipe
Honey Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
Ingredients
- 10 oz apple cider
- 4 oz bourbon
- 1 lady apple cut in thick slices
- 2 teaspoon organic raw honey
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Place cider, apple slices, honey and cinnamon in a sauce pot, bring to boil and let simmer for 5 minutes, just to release the flavors.
- Strain the mixture (saving the apple slices for garnishing) and add bourbon.
- Pour into serving glasses and sip warm.
