Every fall, when the crisp air settles in and apples are piled high at the farmers’ market, I find myself craving cozy, spiced drinks that taste like the season itself. This spiced apple cider cocktail has become one of my absolute favorites to serve when friends and family come over.

The first time I made it, I was surprised at how the combination of warm spices, crisp apple cider, and a splash of bourbon created such a comforting balance of flavors. The sugared rim and garnishes don’t just make the drink look festive—they elevate the aroma and experience with every sip.

Over the years, I’ve perfected this recipe, adjusting sweetness levels and trying different garnishes until it became my go-to fall cocktail.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, planning a holiday party, or simply curling up on a chilly evening, this drink always sets the right mood.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Seasonal & Festive: With apple cider, cinnamon, and star anise, this cocktail captures the essence of fall and winter gatherings. It feels like sipping on autumn in a glass.
Beautiful Presentation: The sugared rim, apple slices, and rosemary sprig make it look elegant and professional, perfect for impressing guests.
Easy to Customize: Prefer a mocktail? Just skip the bourbon and add sparkling water or ginger beer. Like it sweeter? Add more maple syrup.
Balanced Flavor: The cider’s natural sweetness is brightened by lemon juice and deepened by the spice notes of cinnamon and star anise.

Ingredients

2 oz bourbon or whiskey (omit for mocktail)
3 oz fresh apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
½ oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
½ oz maple syrup or honey
Dash of bitters (optional, for complexity)
Ice cubes

For the Rim & Garnish:

Lemon wedge (for rimming)
Demerara or turbinado sugar (for rim)
2–3 thin apple slices
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise pod
1 small rosemary sprig

Instructions

Prepare your glass by running a lemon wedge around the rim, then dipping it into coarse sugar to coat.
In a cocktail shaker, combine bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Add ice and shake gently for 10–15 seconds.
Strain into a short tumbler filled with fresh ice.

Assembly

Garnish with apple slices tucked along the inside of the glass.
Add a cinnamon stick, star anise pod, and rosemary sprig for aroma and decoration.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Mistakes to Avoid

Using overly sweet cider: Some store-bought ciders are too sugary—opt for fresh, unfiltered apple cider.
Skipping the lemon juice: It brightens the drink and balances the sweetness; without it, the cocktail can feel flat.
Overloading garnishes: While fun, too many can crowd the glass and overpower the flavor.
Shaking too hard: Apple cider can foam; shake gently to avoid a messy pour.

Expert Tips

Chill your glass beforehand for an extra crisp sip.
Lightly torch the rosemary sprig for a smoky aroma.
Batch this cocktail for parties by mixing the cider, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a pitcher, then adding bourbon and garnishes just before serving.
Swap bourbon for spiced rum if you prefer a sweeter, warmer profile.

FAQs

1. Can I make this non-alcoholic?
Yes! Replace the bourbon with sparkling water, ginger beer, or even a splash of club soda for fizz.

2. What’s the best cider to use?
Unfiltered, fresh apple cider (not apple juice) works best—it has richer flavor and natural tartness.

3. Can I make this in advance?
You can mix the cider, lemon juice, and maple syrup a day ahead. Add alcohol, ice, and garnishes just before serving.

4. What glass is best for this cocktail?
A short tumbler or rocks glass works perfectly—it holds ice and garnishes nicely.

5. Can I adjust the sweetness?
Absolutely! Add more or less maple syrup depending on your preference.

6. Is there a good substitute for maple syrup?
Honey or agave syrup works well, though maple syrup provides the most seasonal, earthy depth.