Go Back
–+ servings
side view of a rocks glass filled with apple cider cocktail and garnished with an orange twist and cinnamon stick
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Cocktail

This approachable twist on an old fashioned is spicy, citrusy, and subtly sweet. Crisp apple cider, cinnamon-infused syrup, and warming bourbon make it the perfect cocktail for fall nights.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: autumn, cocktail, fall, halloween, old fashioned, stirred cocktails, Thanksgiving
Servings: 1
Calories: 190kcal
Author: Chelsea Jackle, RDN

Equipment

  • 1 small glass bowl, cup, or jar
  • 1 cocktail mixing glass
  • 1 muddler
  • 1 bar spoon
  • 1 julep strainer
  • 1 rocks glass

Ingredients

Cinnamon Tea-Infused Syrup (optional - see notes)

  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 bag cinnamon tea* (I used Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar

For the Cocktail

  • 1 orange slice
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters (or orange bitters)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon tea-infused syrup (can also sub ½ tsp brown sugar)
  • 2 oz apple cider
  • 2 oz Bourbon (or whiskey of choice)
  • ice (preferably 2 large cubes, divided)
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional garnish)

Instructions

Make the cinnamon tea-infused syrup

  • Pour water into a small glass bowl, cup, or jar. Microwave for 30 seconds.
  • Add the tea bag to the hot water and steep for at least 5 minutes.
  • Remove the tea bag and add sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Make your orange garnish

  • Cut the orange slice in half. Set aside one half for muddling in your cocktail.
  • Make an orange twist garnish from the other half (peel or cut the flesh away from the rind, then cut off any excess rind and clean up the edges if desired).

Build the cocktail

  • In a cocktail mixing glass, add the orange slice. Add 2 dashes of bitters and 1 tsp of cinnamon tea-infused syrup. Muddle the orange, bitters, and syrup, then add apple cider and bourbon.
  • Add ice (1 if using large ice cubes) to the mixing glass. Stir until the glass is cold to the touch.
  • Add ice to a rocks glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass. Express the orange twist (i.e. twist it over the cocktail, bending it into a corkscrew shape) and drop it into the glass. Add a cinnamon stick and serve!

Notes

  • Please note that nutrition facts are an estimate and can vary widely based on amounts and specific types used.
  • What to do with extra syrup – The syrup recipe will make just over 7 tbsp of syrup (~21 one-tsp servings). Store the syrup refrigerated (in a container with a lid) for up to 1 week. Use it to make more cocktails, tea, or even fancy coffee drinks.
  • Don't want to make syrup? Substitute in ½ tsp brown sugar instead
  • No cocktail mixing glass or julep strainer? Muddle the orange in your rocks glass, then remove it by hand before building the cocktail.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg