Bourbon and Apple Cider Cocktail

Apple cider, bourbon and ginger ale cocktail
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I’ve been wanting to post a fall-centric cocktail with apple cider and bourbon since we  officially entered the fall season but I’ve been hampered by the fact that until recently Colorado has been hanging on to summer temperatures. Finally I can feel a change. No need for air conditioning or ceiling fans and not cold enough for the heat to come on but when thick, plush socks are perfect…now that’s my idea of fall (oh, please, just a bit longer?).

I thought it would be fun to make my own apple cider but when my neighbors brought me a gallon of apple cider last weekend after stopping at YaYa Farm & Orchard in Longmont, Colorado, I had what I needed without that effort. Making your own cider is actually pretty easy (thought getting some delivered is much easier!). If you want to find an orchard near you for apples or cider, I love the Orange Pippin online directory.

Apple cider is really just raw, unfiltered apple juice that has not gone through any filtration to remove the course particles of pulp or sediment like the juice has. In a commercial cider mill, apples are washed, cut and ground into a mash the consistency of applesauce. The mash is then usually wrapped in cloth and put through wooden racks of a press where the layers are squeezed and the juice is pressed out and put into refrigerated tanks before being bottled. Typically it is not pasteurized like apple juice either so it has a much shorter shelf life…and for me a much more robust flavor.

Though I profess to using bourbon more for baking than drinking; it was the perfect addition to this cocktail. I knew that I wanted to use bourbon and apple cider; it was spying the ginger ale from Cost Plus in my pantry that seemed the perfect last component. Seven-Up would have been too sweet; club soda maybe too bland but the ginger ale is just right. It added a nice spicy touch that was both perfect and something I had on hand…always a big consideration for me!

I loved this cocktail; it’s ease of preparation, it’s unique flavor components and most of all…it’s taste that is perfect for fall!

Bourbon and Apple Cider Cocktail

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bourbon and Apple Cider Cocktail

The perfect fall cocktail with the flavors of apple, bourbon and ginger.

Ingredients

  • 2 parts Apple Cider, refrigerated
  • 2 parts Ginger Ale, refrigerated - I recommend a good Ginger Ale...one that really has an evident taste of ginger. I used Boylan Ginger Ale for this cocktail.
  • 1 part Bourbon

Preparation

  1. Mix together cider and bourbon and refrigerate for at least one hour
  2. Before serving, add ginger ale to bourbon and cider and serve over crushed ice
  3. Garnish with apple slice. About that slice. I love the cute star shape in the center as much as the next guy but for practicality sake...you have to get to the center of the apple. I wouldn't advise wasting most of the apple for that effect. What I might would do is find some sort of small star cookie cutter so that I can use all the slices but still have that cut out in the center.
http://www.creative-culinary.com/apple-cider-ginger-ale-and-bourbon-cocktail/

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{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Kathy November 10, 2012 at 4:30 pm

This was delish….great change from usual glass of white wine.

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2 Creative Culinary November 10, 2012 at 6:50 pm

So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for taking the time to comment…knowing people are making my recipes and enjoying them? Well, that’s what it’s all about!

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3 Kristen September 19, 2012 at 4:17 pm

Oh my dear me…. this looks like exactly what I need in my life!
Kristen Most Recent Post: A Breakfast Solution {Recipe: Sausage and Cheese on Homemade English Muffins}

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4 Rina January 28, 2012 at 1:55 pm

I made this for an event night, as a special cocktail, only I used Martinelli’s sparkling cider. Mixed it all together in the parts you have in the recipe, in a shaker with some ice, and then poured it over ice with a lemon twist. Went over big!

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5 Creative Culinary January 28, 2012 at 2:08 pm

Great idea Rina including the twist. The apple slice is cute but to get them? Maybe 4 max from each apple? Lemon twist would be pretty and just a bit more realistic for a crowd!

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6 Kim November 6, 2011 at 9:30 am

Great cocktail, Barb. I have good friends who are bourbon freaks. The last couple of times, I just let them help themselves to bourbon on the rocks. NEXT time, I’m making them drink something “seasonally relevant” like this.

I prefer cider over juice. More depth!!

[K]
Kim Most Recent Post: Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting | The Calm Before the Storm

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7 Jen Schall October 12, 2011 at 6:05 pm

Yum! It’s not Friday, but I could really use one of these right now. Looks fabulous for fall!
Jen Schall Most Recent Post: How To Cook Dried Beans (WFMW)

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8 Creative Culinary October 12, 2011 at 8:15 pm

It’s a keeper Jen…and I think I could use one right about now too and it’s hours after you said the same. You know…an elixir to help me sleep!

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9 Tickled Red October 11, 2011 at 10:32 am

This looks so good! Perfect for sipping in front of a crackling fire. Now I just need a fireplace ;)
Tickled Red Most Recent Post: Pumpkin Honey Pound Cake

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10 Creative Culinary October 12, 2011 at 8:07 pm

I have a fireplace; guess it means hopping on a plane. I have the rooms too. BB could have a B&B if she wanted to!

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11 Winnie October 11, 2011 at 5:47 am

Barb this sounds fantastic!
Winnie Most Recent Post: Peanut Butter and Jam Scones

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12 Creative Culinary October 12, 2011 at 8:03 pm

Thanks Winnie…I love it’s both easy and fantastic and so perfect for fall.

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13 Liz October 10, 2011 at 7:02 pm

Perfect autumnal cocktail :) Off to find something for your link up party~
Liz Most Recent Post: Ganache topped Truffle Brownies~

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14 Creative Culinary October 12, 2011 at 8:02 pm

Thanks for participating Liz…I plan to do one each Friday and welcome your drinks and appetizers!

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15 Karen Harris October 9, 2011 at 6:14 pm

This looks yummy, yummy, yummy. I do love the mellow flavor of cider, and bourbon would be the liquor to accent its flavor. Going to have to try this.

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16 Creative Culinary October 10, 2011 at 1:58 pm

Hey, if I get that car, we can take a thermos. :)

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17 Feast on the Cheap October 8, 2011 at 4:49 pm

Oooh, I could certainly use one of these right about now! Looks wonderful

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18 Katherine Martinelli October 8, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Absolutely the perfect fall cocktail! I just love it. Thanks for hosting again this week! Such fun.
Katherine Martinelli Most Recent Post: Friday Shout-Out: Pumpkin and a New Blog Hop

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19 sweetsugarbelle October 8, 2011 at 2:56 pm

The ginger ale really is a great idea. Hooray for fall. I saw y’alls front coming in the other day. I hope it comes here soon!
sweetsugarbelle Most Recent Post: Sock Monkey Cookies

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20 Lynne October 8, 2011 at 4:24 am

Not sure what your criteria is for Happy Hour Friday, but I’ve added a Washington Apple Martini from last year. I write an occasional Thirsty Thursday post. Your apple cider and bourbon cocktail looks delicious!

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21 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 1:27 pm

My criteria is pretty simple…I don’t care what the date is so much as that it’s a season addition to the list…so your addition is perfect. Certainly visit after any of your Thirty Thursday and add it…cocktail or appetizer!

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22 Nelly Rodriguez October 7, 2011 at 8:11 pm

Mmhm, I’d totally go for this! Love love Cider!
Nelly Rodriguez Most Recent Post: What’s your favorite street food?

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23 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:18 am

Thanks Nelly…fresh apple cider is so good I could have easily finished off that half gallon in one day I think. Glad I saved it for a cocktail or two.

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24 Lana @ Never Enough Thyme October 7, 2011 at 6:15 pm

Beautiful cocktail, Barbara. Of course, you know I’d use Jim Beam in it :-)
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: Kid-Friendly Halloween Fun with KitchenPLAY

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25 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:17 am

I would expect nothing less. I like Jim too. :)

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26 Esther October 7, 2011 at 3:37 pm

This looks amazing. Would you consider posting the recipe at Everything2.com? We’re running a quest for autumn-themed write-ups right now and your cocktail would be a wonderful addition!

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27 Móna Wise October 7, 2011 at 3:07 pm

I really hope I can find a bottle of Makers Mark tomorrow!
What a lovely recipe Barb and the photos of the apples are just beautiful!
Have a lovely weekend…

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28 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:14 am

Thanks Mona…I squirrel the Maker’s Mark away for real drinks like this. I love how smooth it is and can not deny, I love their bottle too.

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29 foodwanderings October 7, 2011 at 2:06 pm

Love this Happy Hour Fridays Barb. Great, fun initiative!! & Yay I did have a lone cocktail on my site maybe a reason to start drinking now! :)
foodwanderings Most Recent Post: Quince Honey Challah Knots (Step by Step Featured at the Washington Post Food) & My 7 Links

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30 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:12 am

Glad you could join me Shulie…and don’t forget you can add an appetizer too. We need something to eat with our cocktails!

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31 juniakk @ mis pensamientos October 7, 2011 at 10:54 am

love the apple cider combo here :). welcome to our #applelove bloghop!
juniakk @ mis pensamientos Most Recent Post: Apple Bloghop: GF Quinoa Apple Muffins

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32 Nancy@acommunaltable October 7, 2011 at 10:33 am

We had our first taste of fall this week – RAIN!! It was just a teaser though – supposed to get back up towards 80 this weekend (sigh…). This to me is the perfect fall cocktail – it has a short list of ingredients and embodies everything I LOVE about fall!! One of these days, hope we will get to enjoy one of these cocktails together in person!!

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33 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:11 am

The temps have dropped today and we are getting SNOW! Not much but still…snow. Brrrrr!! And yes, one day, sipping together has to be on the agenda.

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34 Jamie October 7, 2011 at 10:17 am

You are right that somehow bourbon and apple cider just scream autumn!! Which is, of course, my favorite season. I miss american apple cider! This drink looks so delicious… and would so work at an apple-picking or pumpkin carving party, wouldn’t it?
Jamie Most Recent Post: BAKED CHOCOLATE TARTLETS WITH SALTED BUTTER CARAMEL SAUCE

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35 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:10 am

Would be perfect! You know…apple cider is not all that hard to make…you should try it and then of course call it ‘French Apple Cider’ and we would all presume it has some magical quality to it like we do all things French.

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36 Paula October 7, 2011 at 9:43 am

You are going to have to write a book on these beautiful cocktails you are creating, if not for the stunning photographs alone! Another great drink Barb and again, so beautifully photographed.

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37 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:08 am

Thanks Paula…someone else said the same to me on Twitter and I must say…that might be a book I could wrap my arms around. I would be sloshed everyday though from trials!

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38 Baker Street October 7, 2011 at 8:38 am

This looks so inviting and refreshing!

Barb: We’re hosting an apple blog hop. Come and share your recipe with us: http://bakerstreet.tv/2011/10/01/apple-blog-hop-cream-cheese-apple-tart/
Baker Street Most Recent Post: Chocolate Chip Coconut Bars

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39 JenniferA October 7, 2011 at 8:11 am

Mmm, love the addition of ginger ale. I also love hot cider with Captain Morgan this time of year.
JenniferA Most Recent Post: Pantry to the rescue! Chicken Taco Casserole

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40 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:07 am

With the cold and snow of this morning…I think I could do your hot version for breakfast!

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41 Deb @ knitstamatic October 7, 2011 at 8:06 am

Oh this one is right up my alley. I’ll definitely be giving it a try.

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42 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:07 am

Cheers Deb! Just find good ginger ale; most of the stuff in cans is almost indistinguishable from 7-up; you really want that bit of ginger in there.

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43 Lynda October 7, 2011 at 7:58 am

I just woke up, but this has got me looking forward to the end of the day.

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44 Creative Culinary October 8, 2011 at 9:05 am

It was an experiment that had a great finish…loved the cocktail.

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45 Rosa October 7, 2011 at 7:28 am

A wonderful cocktail!

Cheers,

Rosa

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