This Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail is the perfect easy fall drink, and the best part is that you can make it as a full cocktail or as a low abv drink! It combines sweet apple cider, maple syrup, cinnamon bitters, and aromatic bitters for a drink that's cozy, a little spicy, and full of delicious fall flavors. Add bourbon for a classic fall cocktail, or leave it out for a festive low alcohol option with one small adjustment.

The cocktail with a little bottle of bourbon turned upside down into the drink on a marble slab.

The secret is the bitters! They add depth, warmth, and a little bitterness that balances the sweetness of the apple cider and maple syrup, making this drink so much more interesting than plain cider. It's also perfect for entertaining because you can serve the cider mixture with a little mini bottle of bourbon on the side and let everyone decide how they want to enjoy it. Bonus points for a cinnamon sugar rim and a beautiful fall garnish! This Apple Cider Prosecco Bourbon Punch is another great recipe if you like these flavors!

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⭐ WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS Drink
🥘 KEY INGREDIENTS
How To Make This Drink
Top Tip
Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

⭐ WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS Drink

Perfect for fall entertaining. Serve it with a miniature bottle of bourbon on the side so guests can make their own cocktail, or offer a low alcohol version.
Sweet, spicy, and perfectly balanced. Cinnamon and aromatic bitters add warmth and complexity, while maple syrup brings a little extra fall sweetness.
So incredibly easy. Everything comes together right in the glass, and the cinnamon sugar rim and fall garnishes make it feel extra special.

🥘 KEY INGREDIENTS

A hand holding up the cinnamon bitters for the camera.

Apple Cider: The base of this drink! Use your favorite fresh apple cider for that sweet, crisp apple flavor. Unfiltered cider works especially well because it has a richer, more concentrated apple taste.
Angostura Aromatic Bitters: These add warm baking spices, depth, and just enough bitterness to balance the sweetness of the cider.
Cinnamon Bitters: Bring extra cinnamon spice and make the drink taste even more like fall in a glass.
Maple Syrup: Adds a rich, natural sweetness that complements the apple and cinnamon flavors beautifully.
Bourbon (Optional): Adds caramel, vanilla, and oak notes that work perfectly with apple cider. Serve it mixed into the drink or in a miniature airplane bottle on the side for guests to add themselves.
Cinnamon Sugar and Garnishes: A cinnamon sugar rim makes the drink extra festive, while a cinnamon stick, fresh or dried apple slice, and a sprig of rosemary or thyme make a gorgeous fall garnish.

See recipe card for quantities.

How To Make This Drink

An etched rocks glass with cinnamon sugar covering the side of the glass.

Step 1: Rim the Glass. If you're adding a cinnamon sugar rim, lightly moisten the rim of a large rocks glass or tumbler with apple cider or maple syrup. Dip it into a small plate of cinnamon sugar until evenly coated.

A glass with ice has been filled with apple cider ⅔ of the way.

Step 2: Add the Apple Cider. Fill the glass with ice and pour in about ⅔ cup of apple cider, or enough to fill the glass approximately two-thirds of the way.

The bitters have been added and are floating at the top of the drink.

Step 3: Add the Maple Syrup and Bitters. Add ½ ounce maple syrup, 4 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters, and 4 dashes cinnamon bitters. Stir well until everything is combined.

A little bottle of Woodford reserve is being held up to show the camera.

Step 4: Add Bourbon or Serve Without. For the bourbon cocktail, add 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon and stir again. You can also serve the drink with a miniature bottle of bourbon on the side so guests can add it themselves.

Top Tip

Make it a DIY cocktail station! This is such a fun idea for Thanksgiving or fall entertaining. Prepare the cider mixture in glasses and serve with miniature bourbon bottles so guests can customize their drinks.
Don't skip the bitters. They're what take this from plain apple cider to a really delicious, layered drink. The aromatic bitters balance the sweetness, while cinnamon bitters add that cozy fall spice. For a truly alcohol-free version, choose bitters specifically labeled nonalcoholic.
Go all out with the garnishes. A cinnamon sugar rim, dried apple slice, cinnamon stick, and rosemary or thyme make this incredibly easy cocktail look beautiful and festive.

Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

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This Spiced Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail is the perfect easy fall drink, and the best part is that you can make it as a full cocktail or as a low abv drink!

Author: Pate Giltner
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink

Ingredients

⅔ cup apple cider, or enough to fill a glass about two-thirds full
4 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
4 dashes cinnamon bitters
½ ounce maple syrup
2 ounces bourbon, optional
Ice

Instructions

Prepare the glass: If desired, moisten the rim of a large rocks glass or tumbler with apple cider or maple syrup and dip it into cinnamon sugar.
Add the cider: Fill the glass with ice and add approximately ⅔ cup apple cider, or fill the glass about two-thirds of the way.
Add the flavorings: Pour in the maple syrup, aromatic bitters, and cinnamon bitters. Stir well until combined.
Make it a cocktail or mocktail: Add 2 ounces of bourbon and stir, or serve with a miniature bourbon bottle on the side. For a low abv version, omit the bourbon.
Garnish: Finish with a cinnamon stick, fresh or dried apple slice, and a sprig of rosemary or thyme. Serve immediately.