Spiked Bourbon Apple Cider

Bourbon Apple Cider is the ultimate cozy fall drink! This hot apple cider cocktail is flavored with mulling spices and a dash of bourbon for the most warming drink around. Whether you’re gathered around a campfire or hunkered down for a cozy weekend at the cabin, this autumn cocktail is guaranteed to make you feel warm and fuzzy.

We’re always a little sad to leave summer behind, but then we remember: It’s the return of bourbon apple cider season! It’s true that there’s nothing better than wrapping up in a blanket next to a fire and sipping a hot bourbon apple cider, which is why it’s one of our favorite fall camping recipes. 

Spiked apple cider recipes can be made with a few different spirits, like rum and whiskey, which are popular choices. But we’re partial to bourbon-spiked apple cider. The sweet, caramelly notes in bourbon just pair so well with the apple flavor and warm mulling spices. 

One of the things we love most about this apple cider with bourbon is that it’s super easy to scale. Make just one glass to reward yourself after a day of raking leaves, or simmer a slightly larger batch to sip together around the evening campfire after a day of camping in the fall. 

Or you can scale it way up and go all out by making hot bourbon apple cider for a crowd! Make a batch for the grown-ups to stay warm while escorting the kids trick-or-treating, or enjoy some with the neighbors while gathered around the bonfire. 

This apple cider bourbon cocktail is also great for Thanksgiving and Christmas entertaining (and—bonus!—it will make your house smell amazing, too!)

Ingredients

Unfiltered apple juice: For the best flavor, use unfiltered apple juice, which doesn’t have preservatives or added sugar. It has a more cloudy look to it than filtered apple juice. When in doubt, check the ingredients, which should list apple juice (and maybe water), but nothing else. We’re also big fans of making our own homemade apple cider recipe from fresh apples and using that in this bourbon apple cider!

Cinnamon sticks: We prefer to use whole cinnamon sticks instead of ground cinnamon, which can leave an unpleasant grittiness behind. Pro tip: Grab your cinnamon sticks at Trader Joe’s or in the bulk section of your local grocery store to save some money. Many Mexican and Indian grocery stores have them in bulk for super cheap, too.

Mulling spices: It’s affordable and convenient to grab pre-made mulling spices, or you can make your own by mixing together whole cloves, nutmeg, star anise, and allspice. If you have a local grocery store that sells bulk spices, that’s a great way to grab only what you need for your spiked apple cider recipe without spending a lot of money.

Orange juice: Orange juice in a hot apple cider cocktail? Yes! The citric acid really cuts through the sweetness of the cider and brightens up the flavors.

Bourbon: We like a mid-level bourbon in this spiked apple cider recipe. Our go-to is Bulliet Bourbon which we find to be both affordable and highly drinkable. You can use Irish whiskey, Canadian whiskey, rye bourbon, or even your favorite rum.

How to Make Bourbon Apple Cider–Step by Step

It’s so easy to make this bourbon-spiked apple cider! With just a minute or two of prep time and only about 10 minutes to simmer it, you’ll be sipping in no time.

First, set a pot or saucepan over medium-high heat and add all of the ingredients except the bourbon.

Bring it to a boil, then quickly reduce the heat. Simmer for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle together. 

Using a spoon, taste the cider to see if the spice level is where you want it. If not, add a few more mulling spices and/or another cinnamon stick, and simmer it for a few more minutes. Once it’s tasting just how you like, place a strainer over your mugs and pour the cider directly in, leaving room for the bourbon. Discard the spices in the strainer, then it’s time to add your bourbon–a little or a lot, it’s up to you.

Tips for Making

• Use a strainer. Unless you want to dodge floating cloves and star anise all night, it’s a smart move to use a fine-mesh strainer to catch the spices as you pour the cider into your mugs.
• The longer you simmer the cider with the mulling spices, the more potent it will taste. Once you’ve reached your preferred level of spice, serve your bourbon apple cider immediately. If there’s any left over, we recommend straining out the remaining spices.
• Add the bourbon last! We’ve seen a handful of recipes online that call for you to add the bourbon while the cider simmering. That’s perfectly good alcohol you’re burning off! Keep the booze from evaporating by adding it to your mugs after you pour the cider in. (Not a huge fan of bourbon? Use tequila and try this as an apple cider margarita!)
• Keep your bourbon-spiked apple cider warmer longer in an insulated mug. While the classic blue enamel camping mugs look cool in photos (guilty!), they don’t do a great job insulating from the heat, so your mug can be too hot to hold until your drink gets too cold to enjoy. An insulated mug is a great alternative that’s easier to hold and keeps your drink hot for a long time. We love these Hydroflask insulated mugs.

Variations

• Spicy bourbon apple cider: Add a few thin slices of fresh ginger for a gingery, spicy kick. 
• Non-alcoholic hot apple cider: Leave the bourbon out of individual mugs for a non-alcoholic option. 
• Less-sweet bourbon apple cider: If you find hot apple cider to be too sweet, you can dilute the cider down with a little water. Add the water before you start simmering, so the water will absorb some of the flavors from the spices.
• Optional garnishes: For a fancier-looking drink, garnish with orange slices, apple slices, and/or extra cinnamon sticks.  

Make-Ahead / Storage Tips

This spiked apple cider recipe is easy to make ahead of time! Just whip up a batch (without the bourbon, which you’ll add when you serve it) and then let the cider cool.

Then, transfer it to an airtight container, strain out the spices to prevent it from becoming over-steeped, and keep it in your cooler or refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Reheat gently in a small pan over your stove, in your slow cooker, or over a campfire. Pour into mugs, add bourbon, and enjoy!

This post was originally published in September 2015 and last updated in October 2024 for clarity.