Apple Cider Old Fashioned

By
Ashley Rose Conway
Ashley Rose Conway sitting at a table with a drink in hand
Ashley Rose Conway
Ashley Rose Conway is a spirits writer, photographer, and seasoned cocktail shaker and the author of Celebrate Rosé with over 8+years of experience of writing about cocktails and spirits. She focuses on seasonal ingredients and elevated drinks and helping others craft delicious cocktails and the special moments with the people they share them with.
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Updated on 02/9/24
Tested by Joan Velush
An apple cider old fashioned cocktail, garnished with a slice of apple, an orange peel, and a cinnamon stick

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Cool time: 15 mins
Total: 35 mins
Serving: 1 cocktail

It’s the time of year when I reach for everything cozy and that includes cocktails. And nothing is more cozy to me than sipping on an apple cider old fashioned. In this cocktail bourbon is accented by sweet apple and mingles with warming baking spices. It’s a trifecta of fall flavors in a glass.

What Ingredients Are in the Apple Cider Old Fashioned?

This is a delightful autumnal twist on the classic old fashioned cocktail. Apple cider syrup gives an old fashioned that picked-fresh-from-the-orchard flavor. It is similar in structure to the classic cocktail with just three ingredients: spirit, sweetener, and bitters. But the addition of fresh apple cider and spices in the syrup make it one to whip up as nights get chiller.

What You Need to Know About Apple Cider

The apple and spices are mixed into the cocktail in the form of an apple cider syrup. You’ll want to look for unspiced and unfiltered apple juice, a.k.a. apple cider, to use in the syrup. Apple cider can vary in quality. I like to use ciders that come in glass bottles, such as Martinelli’s and North Coast as I find their flavor more enjoyable. 

If you are lucky enough to live near an apple farm, grab a jug of fresh-pressed apple cider for making the syrup. And while you’re there don’t forget the apple cider donuts. I find they pair perfectly with an old fashioned.

Whiskey Recommendations

As with most old fashioneds, this is a spirit-forward drink. Use a good-quality bourbon as it will drive most of the flavor in the cocktail. Whether the classic or this fall variation, an old fashioned is the recipe to turn to when you’re trying out a new bottle or to mix up your favorite whiskey without altering it too much. 


Any of these standout whiskeys will make a beautiful apple cider old fashioned.

  • Russel’s Reserve 10
  • Elijah Craig
  • Woodford Reserve 
  • Uncle Nearest 1884 Whiskey
  • Four Roses Small Batch

Tips for Making an Apple Cider Old Fashioned

  • Choose the right cider—Apple cider can be confused with spiced or mulled apple cider. You’ll want to look for unfiltered apple cider next to the apple juice or fresh from an apple orchard.
  • Chopping the spices—Breaking up the whole spices into smaller pieces allows them to release more of their flavor into the syrup. You can whack the cinnamon stick with the back of a knife to break it up. Nutmeg can be carefully chopped with a sharp knife.
  • Use a large ice cube—Serve the old fashioned over a large ice cube. It will melt slower than smaller ice cubes letting you savor your drink more before it dilutes.

"The apple cider old fashioned is the ultimate fall cocktail. Mix up some apple cider syrup to have in your fridge, keep a bottle of your favorite bourbon on the shelf, and you can enjoy this delicious old fashioned in just minutes. The perfect cocktail for crisp fall evenings." —Joan Velush

Apple Cider Old Fashioned/Tester Recipe
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

For the Apple Cider Syrup

  • 1 cup apple cider

  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

  • 2 cinnamon sticks, coarsely chopped 

  • 1/2 nutmeg seed, coarsely chopped

  • 10 whole cloves

  • 10 allspice berries

For the Cocktail

  • 2 1/2 ounces bourbon

  • 1/2 ounce apple cider syrup

  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters

  • Ice cubes for stirring, plus 1 large ice cube, for serving

  • 1 thin piece orange peel, for garnish

  • 1 apple slice, for garnish

  • 1 whole cinnamon stick, for garnish

Steps to Make It

Make the Syrup

  1. Gather the ingredients. 

    Ingredients to make apple cider syrup

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Add 1 cup apple cider, 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, coarsely chopped, 1/2 nutmeg seed, coarsely chopped, 10 whole cloves, and 10 allspice berries to a small pot. 

    A small pot with apple cider, brown sugar, chopped cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice berries

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Simmer on low for 15 minutes, uncovered. Remove from the heat. Let cool. 

    A small pot of simmered apple cider-cinnamon stick mixture

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Strain the syrup though a fine mesh strainer and cool before using or storing in the fridge in a jar for up to 1 month.

    A strainer with simmered cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, allspice berries, and cloves, next to a small bowl of apple cider syrup

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Make the Old Fashioned

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make an apple cider old fashioned

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a mixing glass, add 2 1/2 ounces bourbon, 1/2 ounce apple cider syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.

    A mixing glass with bourbon, apple cider syrup, and bitters

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Fill the mixing glass 2/3 full with ice cubes. Stir rapidly with a long-handled bar spoon until well chilled, about 30 seconds.

    A bar spoon mixing the bourbon, apple cider syrup, and bitters with ice in a mixing glass

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Strain into an old fashioned glass with 1 large ice cube.

    An old fashioned glass with bourbon, apple cider syrup, and bitters mixture, next to a mixing glass with ice and a Hawthorne strainer

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Express the orange peel over the glass.

    Two hands expressing an orange peel over an apple cider old fashioned

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  6. Garnish with the orange peel, 1 apple slice, and 1 cinnamon stick.

    An apple cider old fashioned, garnished with an orange peel, apple slice, and cinnamon stick

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

How To Store and Use Leftover Cider Syrup

Store the syrup in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a month. The syrup can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge before using.


The apple cider syrup is a versatile ingredient in its own right. Use it the following ways:

  • Make an apple cider whiskey sour, substituting the apple cider syrup for the plain simple syrup.
  • Stir it into a hot toddy instead of honey.
  • Mix up an apple cider margarita by using 1/2 ounce apple cider syrup and 1/2 ounce triple sec.
  • Brush the syrup over a plain cake like a génoise.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This

  • Use a different spirit—Looking to mix it up? Experiment with another barrel aged spirit in the old fashioned. Rum, brandy, and reposado tequila would be great substitutes here.
  • Swap the bitters—Angostura bitters are classic for an old fashioned, but there are a lot of bitters out there that would be great swapped into this cocktail. Play around with seasoning your cocktail with different ones like orange, fig, or cherry bitters. 

Cocktail Strength

The apple cider old fashioned, like the old fashioned upon which the drink is based, is a strong cocktail clocking in at 28 percent ABV (56 proof).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
295 Calories
0g Fat
35g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 295
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 6mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 23mg 113%
Calcium 40mg 3%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 237mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)