Go Back
–+ servings
apple bourbon cider cocktail fall cocktail

Crisp Vanilla Apple Bourbon Cider Cocktail | A Refreshing Fall Cocktail

This refreshing sparkling apple bourbon cider cocktail is a chilled mix of bourbon, Honeycrisp apple cider, fresh vanilla bean syrup, and fresh lemon.  It’s a simple yet satisfying apple bourbon cocktail you can serve nice and chilled on the rocks as a delicious fall cocktail for the autumn season.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
COURSE Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Fall Cocktails, Fall Drinks
CUISINE American, Fall Recipes
SERVINGS 1

Equipment

Rocks glass
Cocktail Shaker
Strainer

Ingredients
  

For The Apple Bourbon Cider Cocktail

  • 1½ oz Good Quality Bourbon - or Rye Whiskey (I used Bulleit)
  • ½ oz Fresh-Squeezed Lemon Juice
  • ½ oz Vanilla Bean Syrup - recipe follows (or good quality bottled vanilla syrup)
  • 2 oz Honeycrisp Apple Cider - or good quality pressed apple juice
  • Sparkling Water - for topping off
  • Fresh Lemon and Apple Slices - for garnish

For The Vanilla Syrup

  • 1 cup Filtered Water
  • 1 cup White Sugar
  • 1 whole Fresh Vanilla Bean Pod - (or 1 tbsp high quality vanilla extract if vanilla bean is not available, but whole vanilla bean is more highly recommended)

Instructions
 

Make Vanilla Cocktail Syrup

  • Start by grabbing a fresh vanilla pod from your jar.  Using a paring knife, gently cut the vanilla bean down the center to reveal the inner seeds.Gently press the vanilla pod open.
  • Next, add equal parts water and sugar to the same sauce pan with the vanilla bean pod.  I used plain white sugar. Stir the sugar, vanilla pod, and water over medium heat.  Stir gently as the sugar dissolves into the water. Bring to a boil. Once mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low.  
  • Simmer on low an additional 8 or so minutes allowing the flavor of the vanilla bean to deepen and concentrate within the syrup. Turn heat off.  Strain, let cool, and pour into an airtight container or a glass bottle with a lid.  Keep stored in the fridge in your airtight container and consume ideally between 7 to 10 days.

Make the Bourbon Cider Cocktail

  • In a cocktail shaker filled three-quarters of the way with ice, splash in the bourbon and honey crisp apple cider.
  • Next, splash in freshly squeezed lemon juice and the prepared vanilla bean syrup.
  • Cover and shake vigorously until all ingredients are fully combined and chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. 
  • Top off the poured cocktail with a light gentle splash of chilled sparkling water.  Garnish with thin sliced apples and lemon.  Serve immediately. Serve chilled.
KEYWORD apple cider cocktail, apple cider drinks, apple juice bourbon cocktail, bourbon and apple juice, bourbon cider cocktail, bourbon fall cocktail, bourbon holiday cocktails, bulleit bourbon cocktail recipe, bulleit bourbon drinks, bulleit rye cocktails, christmas bourbon drinks, fall cocktails, fall drinks, rye bourbon cocktails, simple bourbon mixed drinks, thanksgiving bourbon cocktails
Tried this recipe?Show me how it went! Tag @RedWineDragons and hashtag #redwinedragons!