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Spiced Apple Cider Bourbon Old Fashioned

A cozy autumn twist on the classic Old Fashioned, featuring bourbon whiskey, real apple cider, aromatic bitters, and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and star anise.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Cocktail, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

The Cocktail
  • 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 oz unfiltered apple cider or 0.5 oz cider reduction syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters optional
Garnish
  • 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg for dusting
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise pod
  • 1 slice apple

Equipment

  • Rocks glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Microplane grater
  • Jigger

Method
 

  1. Add apple cider (or syrup) and bitters to a rocks glass.
  2. Pour in the bourbon or rye whiskey.
  3. Add one large ice cube or several smaller cubes.
  4. Stir gently with a bar spoon for 15-20 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
  5. Grate fresh nutmeg over the top of the drink.
  6. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise pod, and an apple slice before serving.

Notes

For a richer drink, boil 1 cup of apple cider down to 1/2 cup to create a concentrated syrup before using.