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Cozy Apple Cider Old Fashioned: Best Fall Cocktail Recipe

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This Cozy Apple Cider Old Fashioned is the perfect fall cocktail, combining bourbon with a homemade spiced apple cider syrup for a warm, balanced drink that tastes like autumn in a glass. Simple to make and full of seasonal flavor, it’s ideal for cozy nights or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 strip orange peel (about 2 inches long, no white pith)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey (e.g., Buffalo Trace or Bulleit)
  • 1 ounce spiced apple cider syrup
  • 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Ice cubes (large ones preferred)
  • Garnish: 1 cinnamon stick, 1 apple slice, 1 twist of orange peel

Instructions

  1. Make the Spiced Apple Cider Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 whole cloves, and a 2-inch strip of orange peel. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the brown sugar dissolves (about 2-3 minutes). Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and let cool for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small jar or bowl. Discard so…
  2. Prepare Your Glass: Place a large ice cube or a few regular cubes in a rocks glass.
  3. Mix the Cocktail: In a separate mixing glass or mason jar, combine 2 ounces bourbon, 1 ounce spiced apple cider syrup, and 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters. Add a handful of ice cubes. Stir gently for about 20 seconds. Taste and adjust sweetness or strength as desired.
  4. Strain and Serve: Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass over the fresh ice. Discard the ice used for stirring.
  5. Garnish: Take a fresh strip of orange peel, hold it over the glass skin-side down, twist to release oils, rub around the rim, and drop it in. Add a cinnamon stick and a thin apple slice.

Notes

Don’t skip straining the syrup—cloves are potent. Use one large ice cube to slow dilution. Stir, don’t shake, to keep the drink clear and silky. Toast cinnamon sticks in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding to syrup for deeper flavor. Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider old fashioned, fall cocktail, bourbon cocktail, spiced apple cider syrup, cozy drink, autumn cocktail, whiskey cocktail

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/cozy-apple-cider-old-fashioned-best-fall-cocktail-recipe/