Cozy Spiced Apple Cider Old Fashioned: Easy Holiday Cocktail
A balanced holiday cocktail combining spiced apple cider with bourbon or rye whiskey, aromatic bitters, and fresh orange peel. This drink offers the warmth of autumn with a smooth, sophisticated finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ounces (60 ml) spiced apple cider
- 2 ounces (60 ml) Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
- 2–3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 large orange peel twist
- 1 Luxardo Maraschino Cherry
- 1 large ice cube or sphere
- 0.5 teaspoon maple syrup or demerara sugar (optional, if cider is not sweet enough)
Instructions
- Prepare the Old Fashioned glass by placing one large ice cube inside. If serving multiple drinks, chill glasses in ice water for 5 minutes, then discard water.
- Cut a large strip of orange peel. Hold it skin side down over the glass and squeeze gently to release essential oils.
- Rub the orange peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass. Avoid muddling too hard to prevent bitterness from the pith.
- Pour 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey into the glass.
- Add 2 ounces of spiced apple cider.
- Add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters and 0.5 teaspoon of maple syrup if needed.
- Insert a bar spoon and stir gently for 20-30 seconds to chill and mix without over-diluting.
- Garnish with the Luxardo Maraschino Cherry and optionally a cinnamon stick.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Use cloudy, unfiltered apple cider for better flavor. Ensure ice is large to melt slowly and maintain dilution balance. Do not shake; stir gently to keep the drink clear and silky. Taste the cider before adding extra sweetener as sweetness levels vary by brand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 12
Keywords: holiday cocktail, apple cider, old fashioned, bourbon recipe, rye whiskey, winter drink, easy cocktails, spiced cider, orange peel, bitters