Name: Harvest Apple Bourbon Cocktail
Prep time: 12 h
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 12 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz bourbon; 2 cinnamon sticks; 16 oz. apple juice; 12 oz. topo chico; garnish: with thyme leaves or orange zest

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A Harvest Apple Bourbon Cocktail that will warm you up this holiday season! Cinnamon infused Bourbon mixed with apple juice and topo chico make this holiday cocktail flavorful, easy and light. The perfect pitcher cocktail for a crowd!

Looking for more holiday cocktail recipes? You’ll love are my Apple Cider Mimosas or my Apple Cider Moscow Mule.

Table of Contents

Easy & Delicious Apple Bourbon Cocktail Recipe
What is the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey?
What Can You Mix with Bourbon?
How to Make a Good Bourbon Cocktail for Fall
Harvest Apple Bourbon Cocktail

Easy & Delicious Apple Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

Now, I’m normally a red wine kinda girl. But recently my husband started to get into bourbon’s and whiskey’s and honestly there were a few I tried that I actually liked. I appreciate when you can taste hints of vanilla, cinnamon or maple syrup in the liquor. It just makes the sip a bit of a treat because of the flavor complexity. That being said, I thought I’d make a bourbon cocktail for the fall!

To really make this cocktail scream fall I infused the bourbon with 2 sticks of cinnamon for at least 12 hours and wow can you taste it! It seriously warms you right up!

harvest apple bourbon cocktail in a pitcher

Ok, first things first, let’s address the whole bourbon vs. whiskey thing because I know I’ve asked it so I’m sure you have too!

What is the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey?

Yes, essentially they are the same thing. The have a slightly different process of distillation depending on the region it is produced in, but for the most part they are the same. Which is why sometimes you’ll see the two used interchangeably or even referred to as bourbon whiskey.

What Can You Mix with Bourbon?

Because of the flavor profile of bourbon whiskey, the following would be the most complimentary:

Water
Coke
Ginger ale, ginger beer or ginger syrup and soda.
Sweet Vermouth
Soda water/Club Soda
Eggnog
Apple Cider
Coffee
Mint
Orange
Angostura bitters

pouring bourbon into harvest apple bourbon cocktail

closeup of harvest apple bourbon cocktail

How to Make a Good Bourbon Cocktail for Fall

When thinking of fall flavors and the type of ingredients that go well with bourbon my mind immediately went to apple. I kept this cocktail recipe simple, just three ingredients bourbon, apple juice and topo chico (aka sparkling water). I garnished it with thyme leaves and a peel of orange zest.

To a small jar add 1 cup of bourbon and 2 cinnamon sticks. Let bourbon infuse for at least 12 hours or longer.
To a pitcher add bourbon, apple juice and topo chico. If you need it sweeter I’d recommend adding agave.
Serve over ice with fresh thyme with orange zest.

harvest apple bourbon cocktail in a glass with cinnamon stick

One of my favorite things to do as of late to save on time is make pitcher cocktails. In my opinion, they are a game changer in the hosting world. Usually they can be prepped ahead of time and having the cocktail in pitcher form allows you to be free from making drinks or serving while you’re hosting.

This Harvest Apple Bourbon Cocktail would be perfect for any event you have this fall and most definitely for Thanksgiving. We served it over ice! I’d recommend not putting the ice in the pitcher as that would water it down. (nobody likes a watered down drink)

Alright friends, I cannot wait to hear what you think of this one. Although, I think I already know you’re going to love it! Cheers!

Easy recipes to serve with your bourbon cocktail: