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Cozy Fresh Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail: Easy Fall Drink

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This cozy fresh apple cider old fashioned cocktail is the perfect fall drink—simple enough for a Tuesday night but impressive enough for your Thanksgiving table. Made with bourbon, fresh apple cider, maple syrup, and bitters, it’s a crowd-pleaser that tastes like fall in a glass.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz (60 ml) bourbon (e.g., Buffalo Trace or Four Roses Small Batch)
  • 2 oz (60 ml) fresh apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 1/2 oz (15 ml) pure maple syrup (Grade A dark amber)
  • 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 strip orange peel (for expressing oils and garnish)
  • 1 large ice cube or 2–3 smaller ice cubes
  • Apple slices (optional, for garnish)
  • Cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your garnish first. Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, cut a 2-inch strip of orange peel, avoiding as much white pith as possible. Set aside. If using, slice one thin apple wedge and grab a cinnamon stick.
  2. Place 2-3 thin apple slices (about 1/4 of a small apple) in the bottom of your mixing glass. Add the 1/2 oz (15 ml) of maple syrup. Gently muddle the apple slices with your muddler or wooden spoon—about 4-5 light presses, until you smell the apple and maple combining (about 10 seconds).
  3. Pour 2 oz (60 ml) of bourbon and 2 oz (60 ml) of fresh apple cider into the glass with the muddled apple and maple syrup.
  4. Add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters. Stir gently with a bar spoon or regular spoon for about 15-20 seconds to combine and slightly chill.
  5. Add one large ice cube or 2-3 regular ice cubes. Stir gently for another 10 seconds to chill without over-diluting.
  6. Hold the orange peel, colored side down, over the glass. Give it a firm twist to release the essential oils over the surface of the drink. Rub the peel around the rim of the glass, then drop it into the drink or set it on the rim.
  7. If using, add a cinnamon stick and a thin apple slice for garnish. Serve immediately. Best enjoyed within 10-15 minutes.

Notes

Don’t over-muddle the apple slices—light, gentle presses are all you need. Taste the apple cider before using; if it’s very sweet, reduce the maple syrup slightly. This recipe scales beautifully for a crowd; multiply ingredients by the number of guests and muddle in batches. For best results, chill your glass beforehand.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider old fashioned, fall cocktail, bourbon cocktail, apple cider drink, easy fall drink, cozy cocktail

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/cozy-fresh-apple-cider-old-fashioned-cocktail-easy-fall-drink/