Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails | www.floatingkitchen.net

Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails

This post was originally published here on September 17, 2014. I’ve since updated the texts and photographs. It’s the easiest Fall cocktail that I know how to make. And I want you to try it too! Cheers!

A cocktail seems appropriate. I think we all could use one.

These past two years, I’ve found our political system to be rather uninspiring. The hate. The intolerance. The fear. It’s all very hard to process. I am constantly asking myself “how has this become our reality?”.

But the events of this past week have been particularly gut wrenching to bear witness too. The epidemic of disbelieving women has crested. And the deep flaws in our system have been exposed.

Yes, I realize that this is a website about food. But it’s also website written by me. A human. A women. And a victim.

I believe her. I believe women. I believe survivors.

I could write more. But I don’t have too. Those three sentences say it all. And I needed to say them.

Because writing has never been my strong suit, I don’t have an eloquent segue to smoothly transition us from discussing current events to cocktails. So here we (abruptly) go.

Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails | www.floatingkitchen.net

These Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails were one of the first cocktails that I learned how to make. In fact, the original post in which this recipe appears goes way back to the first year that this little blog existed. When I look at the recipe now, it almost seems “too basic”. I didn’t know much about crafting cocktails back then, so “basic” was all I could manage.

Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails | www.floatingkitchen.net

These days, I might add a dash of aromatic bitters. Or use a more interesting spirit. Or maybe even dress them up with a flashier garnish. And trust me when I tell you, I was absolutely tempted to do all of those things. But in the end, I decided to stick with the way I had originally written the recipe. And you know what, I’m so glad that I did. Because it just works. It’s an easy, clean-tasting cocktail that showcases each ingredient beautifully. What else could you ask for?!?!

More is not always better. And this was the gentle reminder that I needed.

Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails | www.floatingkitchen.net

Every ingredient you’ll need for these Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails is easy to find (and I bet you already have most of them on hand!). And you don’t even need a shaker. It’s a cocktail that’s equally well suited for a cozy Friday night on the couch, or a bustling Holiday party. You won’t tire of drinking this refreshing sipper this season. Heck, I’m still drinking it after 4 years!!!

Cheers,

Liz

Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails

Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails

At a Glance:
Yield: Makes 2 cocktails
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cocktails:

  • 1 cup fresh apple cider
  • 1 cup ginger beer
  • 3 ounces bourbon

For Garnish:

  • 2 tsp. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • Maple syrup
  • Ice
  • Sliced apples

Instructions

  1. Stir together the apple cider, ginger beer and bourbon.
  2. Combine the sugar and cinnamon together, then spread the mixture out onto a small plate. Moisten the rim of your serving glasses by rubbing them with a small amount of maple syrup. Then invert the glasses over the sugar-cinnamon mixture, pressing down gently to coat.
  3. Add fresh ice to your prepared glasses. Then divide the cocktail between the two glasses. Garnish with apple slices and serve immediately.

70 comments on “Apple Cider and Ginger Beer Bourbon Cocktails”

  1. Gorgeous photos, look at you with all your fall leaves! I wish I lived in a climate where I got to see such leaves! I always feel silly saying Hump Day too, so I understand why you are going to limit it to just this one post. After typing it in this comment I’ll have to take a shower. 🙂 So jealous you are going to IFBC! It was on my to-do list, I swore I’d be there, but then I got pregnant (which is, of course, good news) and I decided not to attend. Back in 2011 I was going to attend a blogger conference and the same thing happened, got pregnant! Didn’t go! Boo! 🙂 I can’t wait to see everything through your eyes! AKA IG.

    • Thanks, Meggan! I collected all the leaves from around my house while I was out walking my dog! It was a good project! Too bad you won’t be at IFBC. But yeah for babies! Hopefully we will get to meet up soon at another event!

  2. Fabulous cocktail for getting over h*** day 😉 I’m so jealous that you are getting to take in IFBC. One day I’ll make it there. I can’t imagine anything better than food blogger get-together, learning and of course … Seattle (one of my favourite cities!) Enjoy!

  3. I’m not a big beer or bourbon person but these look so beautiful! Love the fall leaves 🙂

    • Thanks, Katya. It’s ginger beer, which isn’t REALLY like regular beer at all – more like ginger ale. You should try it out!

  4. The color of this drink just screams fall, and I’m sure the flavors do the same. This looks delicious, Liz! I so wish I was going to IFBC — I really wanted to but it didn’t work out. I’m so bummed! I hope you have a fabulous time! 🙂

  5. Have fun at the convention, love this drink. Very fall-worthy!

  6. I love the look and sound of this cocktail! My favorite thing about fall is fresh apple cider. Can’t wait to try these!

  7. I love this recipe! Can’t wait to go apple picking to get awesome apple cider for this drink!

  8. Okay, I need bourbon. These look fantastic!

  9. Love apple cider & ginger and bourbon! Perfect cocktail!

  10. Wow, I think I just found my new fall cocktail! This sounds amazing, Liz! I’ve never tried ginger beer before, so now I’m intrigued!

    • Oh Gayle, ginger beer is amazing. It’s not really beer at all. It’s like ginger ale but with a much more intense ginger flavor. It’s so refreshing! Try it and let me know how you like it!

  11. Ginger beer is my go-to drink of choice – I love the apple cider combo! And the cinnamon rim? I’m sold!

  12. I’ve never been a fan of ginger beer before. I think because I always expect it to taste like ginger ale and I get thrown off. I think if I mix it with some other tasty things like the apple cider and bourbon, I can start to get used to it! This looks so tasty!

    • Well, hopefully you can be converted! It’s very tasty in this cocktail. Makes for a very refreshing and crisp drink. If you try it, let me know how you like it. Thanks for stopping by, Amanda!

  13. These look fantastic! Huge, huge fan of ginger beer! And love all those beautiful leaves, makes me crave fall even more! Have a great time at the conference!

  14. I love ginger beer, my husband loves bourbon, and who doesn’t love apple cider 🙂 These drinks sound delicious and perfect for fall! Have a great time at the food blogger conference!

  15. Nice and warming.. I would like one 🙂

  16. The leaves are changing and we had our first frost this morning here in New Hampshire. Your cocktail sounds great…I’ve got everything to make it.

  17. These look amazing! Fall-flavored boozy drinks are my fave. Good luck at the conference!

  18. Sounds heavenly. Also dangerous. Thanks for sharing!

  19. Umm…ginger beer and bourbon?? Count me in!! Two of my favorite things! 🙂 Have fun at IFBC!!

  20. These cocktails sound and look amazing, Liz!

  21. This sounds like the ultimate fall cocktail. I am so on board!

  22. I hope you had a great time at IFBC!! I’ve heard great things about it. I am heading to my first blogging conference this coming weekend too and I can’t wait. As for this cocktail, it’s perfect!

    • Thanks, Zainab! It was a lot of fun. My head is spinning. I have to digest all the new information! Glad you like the cocktail!

  23. Looks like the perfect fall drink! Hope you had an amazing time at the Blogging conference!

  24. What a perfect fall drink! And I find nervous and excited to all come from the same place 🙂 Hope you have fun at your conference.

  25. I’m happy to have found your blog. I’ve already pinned your pic and recipe. I love the photo as well. Here is California the leaves are just beginning to fall and turn colors. I’d say we have a ways to go since it is still warm during the day.
    I heard about the conference on Instagram. How exciting! Sounds like a place I’d want to spend the weekend. Hope you learned lots of great tricks to make your blog better. I’m always looking to improve mine too.
    Make it a great day!
    Teri:)

    • Thank you, Teri! The conference was great. My head is still spinning a bit from all the information! I certainly learned a lot and met a lot of great folks!

  26. Oh my goodness, LOVING the sound of these cocktails. Hope you had a great time at the conference. It’s on my list of ones to try…unfortunately with fall sports for my kids it’s a tough time to get away!

    • Thanks, Aimee! The conference was great. I had a lot of fun and met some lovely people. But I agree, fall is difficult with school, etc. starting up again. Hopefully you’ll get there some day!

  27. What a fabulous sounding drink – perfect for this time of year!

  28. love this cocktail…anything with cider is awesome

  29. Loved meeting you at IFBC, and I’m over the moon with this drink. Finally there’s something to concoct with ginger beer besides a Moscow Mule!

    • It was lovely meeting you too and I’m totally jealous of your cruising lifestyle. I hope to get to do that someday myself!

  30. This drink looks absolutely fantastic! Fresh apple cider and ginger beer? Perfect! I love the fall presentation along with the drink. I am going to try it this weekend!

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  33. Cheers to fall and these festive cocktails!

  34. Those top three ingredients, together, totally flip my switch! The farm will be having an apple pressing soon, so I’ll be brining jugs of apple cider home with me. You know what I’ll be making! Oh Liz. I completely agree and my heart dropped when I read your post. It’s all just crap. Big huge flaws, yes. Will we as a nation resolve them? What is happening to humanity? Augh… I could use a cocktail. xo

  35. I suddenly had a hankering for a bourbon apple cider cocktail and yours was the first that popped up. And as I read your updates after Dr. Ford’s testimony, I knew immediately that you were “my people” and stopped looking for recipes after finding yours. 🙂 Cheers to compassion; hearing, seeing, and believing victims; and to change that will hopefully come sooner rather than later.

  36. Thank you for this.. I’ve been looking for fun holiday cocktails, and this is just it!

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