Apple Cider Bourbon Smash Cocktail Recipe

This apple cider bourbon smash is a delightful cocktail made with just three main ingredients. It’s an ideal festive drink to enjoy all season long.

Hard Liquor

I didn’t always love bourbon. At first the aroma made me wince, but over time I grew to appreciate its rich, warming flavor—just like a barrel ages into something wonderful.

My go-to bourbon cocktail used to be a Manhattan, but this apple cider bourbon smash has climbed the ranks. I look forward to October and November when fresh apple cider is easy to find.

It’s a fun, seasonal cocktail that pairs simple ingredients for a festive result. Serve it at Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering.

Helpful tips

• If you don’t have a muddler, use the end of a wooden spoon to press and bruise the lemon wedges to release juice and oils from the zest.
• Prefer whiskey to bourbon? Swap in the same amount of whiskey to make an apple cider whiskey smash.
• Apple cider is naturally sweet, so sweetener is usually unnecessary. If you’d like it sweeter, start with 1/4 ounce of simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey and adjust to taste.
• Fresh herbs make a lovely garnish—thyme and mint are favorites, and basil also works nicely.
• Any apple works for garnish; try Macintosh, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith for different flavor notes and textures.

How to make the apple cider bourbon smash

Pre-step

Gather a cocktail shaker, measuring glass, muddler (or wooden spoon), and double old-fashioned glasses. Slice a thin apple wheel from the apple’s equator, halve it, and remove the core and seeds. Set the apple half-wheels aside with two cinnamon sticks for garnish. Measure your ingredients and add them to the shaker when ready.

Step one

Gather the ingredients: bourbon, apple cider, and a lemon.

Step two

Cut the lemon in half, then cut each half into quarters to yield eight wedges.

Step three

Place the eight lemon wedges in the cocktail shaker and muddle for at least 2 minutes. Muddle thoroughly to release as much juice and lemon oil from the skins as possible.

Step four

Measure 4 ounces of bourbon and add it to the shaker.

Step five

Measure 5 ounces of apple cider and add it to the shaker. At this point you’ll have a lively, fragrant mix ready to chill.

Step seven

Add ice to your glasses—large ice cubes work best—then fill the shaker about halfway with ice, cap it, and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain the cocktail and divide it between the two glasses.

Step eight

Garnish each glass with half an apple wheel, a cinnamon stick, and optional fresh thyme sprigs. Serve immediately.

Take a moment to appreciate the combination of bright lemon, crisp apple cider, and warm bourbon—the balance is what makes this cocktail special.

Here’s a closer view of the drink and its garnishes.

This vertical shot highlights the cocktail’s layers and festive presentation.

I hope you enjoy this apple cider bourbon smash—it’s simple, seasonal, and delicious.

Other bourbon recipes

• Cherry bourbon
• Bourbon sour
• Mint julep
• Bourbon meatballs
• Bourbon baby back ribs

May all your dishes and drinks be delish!

If you try this recipe, please share your thoughts in the comments. I love hearing from readers and learning how you customized the drink or which garnishes you preferred.