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A glass with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned and garnished with two apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

A cozy autumnal twist on the classic, this Apple Cider Old Fashioned blends bourbon with the crisp sweetness of fresh apple cider. Orange peel, bitters, and a homemade cinnamon simple syrup infuse each glass with a comforting balance of citrus and spice. Garnished with apple slices and a cinnamon stick, this sweetly spiced cocktail is perfect for chilly evenings and festive gatherings. 

Hey there, and welcome back, friends.

You are in for a treat!

A glass with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned and garnished with an Apple slice and a cinnamon stick.

There’s nothing quite like settling into a cozy Fall cocktail when the leaves begin to change color and the air gets crisp! This apple cider old fashioned drink is everything we love about Fall wrapped up in one drink.

A glass with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned and garnished with two apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

It’s an easy drink to make. You start by making the homemade simple syrup, which is actually quite simple to make! Water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves are all you need to make this flavor-packed simple syrup. The syrup lasts in the fridge for many weeks, so you can make quite a few drinks with it.

A glass with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned and garnished with two apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

I do advise using cinnamon sticks instead of ground cinnamon when making the simple syrup because ground cinnamon would add sediment to the syrup and create a gritty texture when you’re sipping this drink.

A glass with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned and garnished with two apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

An orange peel and bitters are classic ingredients for making an old fashioned drink. The citrus brightens the flavors of the drink, and the bitters add balance and depth.

A glass with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned and garnished with two apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

This drink gets its signature apple flavor from a splash of apple cider used to top off each glass. You can also use apple juice instead, but apple cider lends this deep, rich flavor.

A glass with an Apple Cider Old Fashioned and garnished with two apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

This Fall-inspired old fashioned drink is all about simplicity and can be made quickly. It’s perfect for quiet Fall nights, cozied up in a blanket watching a good movie or entertaining with friends and family.

Ingredients

The ingredients used to make an Apple Cider Old Fashioned
  • granulated sugar
  • some water
  • a few cinnamon sticks
  • whole cloves
  • a few dashes of Angostura bitters or orange bitters
  • a strip orange peel
  • bourbon
  • apple cider
  • ice
  • apple slices, optional for garnish
  • cinnamon stick, optional for garnish

How to Make an Apple Cider Old Fashioned

A saucepan with cinnamon sticks and water in it.

Make the syrup first. Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan or pot.

Use the butt end of a kitchen knife to help break up each cinnamon stick into several pieces then add to the pot along with the cloves.

A saucepan with cinnamon syrup in it and a wooden spoon.

Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 5 min, stirring occasionally, then remove the syrup from the heat. Allow the syrup to cool and steep for 30 minutes, then strain out the spices.

Bottle the syrup and keep it in the fridge until ready to use. Makes a little over half a cup of cinnamon simple syrup. Use within 2 weeks for the best flavor. 

An orange peel added to a glass.

To make one drink, add the cinnamon simple syrup, and orange peel to an old fashioned or rocks glass.

Alcohol being poured into a glass with an orange peel.

Next, add the bitters.

A muddling stick muddling the orange peel, bitters, and syrup.

Muddle a few times until you smell the fragrance of the orange peel.

Alcohol being poured into a glass.

Add the bourbon and apple cider.

A wooden stick stirring the Apple Cider Old Fashioned.

Stir to combine.

A large ice cube being placed into a glass.

Add one large ice cube or a handful of smaller ice cubes.

A glass of Apple Cider Old Fashioned with bottles behind.

Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick if desired. Enjoy immediately. 

How to Store

Keep the homemade simple syrup stored in the fridge until you are ready to use it. This recipe makes a little over ½ cup of simple syrup. Use within 2 weeks for the best flavor. 

Two glasses of Apple Cider Old Fashioned with cinnamon sticks and apple slices.

More Fall Drink Recipes

Three glasses of Apple Cider Old Fashioned with cinnamon sticks and apple slices.

What do you think of this cozy apple cider old fashioned recipe? What would you serve with one of these drinks? Let me know in the comment section below. 

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy sipping, friends!

A glass of Apple Cider Old Fashioned with cinnamon sticks and apple slices.

Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe

A glass of Apple Cider Old Fashioned with cinnamon sticks and apple slices.
Yield: 1 drink

Apple Cider Old Fashioned

A cozy autumnal twist on the classic, this Apple Cider Old Fashioned blends bourbon with the crisp sweetness of fresh apple cider. Orange peel, bitters, and a homemade cinnamon simple syrup infuse each glass with a comforting balance of citrus and spice.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the cinnamon simple syrup:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 whole cloves

For one drink:

  • 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon simple syrup, depending on how sweet you want your drink
  • 3-4 dashes Angostura bitters or orange bitters
  • 1 strip orange peel, about 2 inches long
  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 3 ounces apple cider
  • Ice
  • Apple slices, optional for garnish
  • Cinnamon stick, optional for garnish

Instructions

  1. Make the syrup first. Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan or pot. Use the butt end of a kitchen knife to help break up each cinnamon stick into several pieces then add to the pot along with the cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 5 min, stirring occasionally, then remove the syrup from the heat. Allow the syrup to cool and steep for 30 minutes, then strain out the spices. Bottle the syrup and keep it in the fridge until ready to use. Makes a little over ½ cup of cinnamon simple syrup. Use within 2 weeks for the best flavor. 
  2. To make one drink, add the cinnamon simple syrup, bitters, and orange peel to an old fashioned or rocks glass. Muddle a few times until you smell the fragrance of the orange peel. Add the bourbon and apple cider and stir to combine. Add one large ice cube or a handful of smaller ice cubes then garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick if desired. Enjoy immediately. 

Notes

  • If you prefer a less sweet flavor, use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon simple syrup. 
  • To keep your drink extra cold, chill your glass in the freezer for 30-60 minutes ahead of time and use chilled apple cider.
  • A singular large ice cube will melt slower than a handful of smaller ice cubes which will keep your drink from being watered down as quickly. 
  • If you want to amplify the spice in the cinnamon syrup, use Angostura bitters. If you want to amplify the flavor of the orange peel, use orange bitters. 
  • Use leftover cinnamon simple syrup to sweeten coffee and tea.

    • Can I use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks in the simple syrup? No, I do not recommend using ground cinnamon in place of cinnamon sticks. Ground cinnamon adds sediment to the syrup and produces an unpleasant gritty texture. During testing, I much preferred the flavor and texture of the syrup made with cinnamon sticks. 

    Can I use apple juice in place of apple cider? Yes, you can use apple juice instead but I recommend finding an unfiltered one or one that was made fresh and sold chilled rather than one bottled for shelf stability for the best flavor. 

    Can I make a mocktail version? Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail. Omit the bourbon and replace it with 2-4 ounces of chilled club soda or sparkling water. 

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    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    1

    Serving Size:

    1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 856Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 202gFiber: 10gSugar: 184gProtein: 2g

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    © A Classic Twist
    Cuisine: American / Category: Cocktails