Spiced Honey Apple Whiskey Cocktail (+ party punch!)

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So we luckily went apple picking in the Blue Ridge mountains during False Fall this year, and I brought home too many gallons of cider.

Not that I'm complaining, but you're about to have a huge wave of apple cider recipes. Stick around if that's your September vibe, honey.

I got this cocktail idea just in time before Second Summer rolled around and now I'm counting the days to True Fall again. This honey apple whiskey cocktail is going to keep me in the fall mood until then; cozy and sweetly spiced thanks to a quick apple and honey syrup that tastes like fall.

Spiced Honey Apple Whiskey Sour

This is a softer, cozier take on a whiskey sour. It's almost like a hybrid of an old fashioned and a whiskey sour; approachable, not too pucker-ish.

The cider mellows out the acidity, and the spiced honey syrup adds a deep apple flavor with fall vibes from the clove, cinnamon, and star anise.

It's not too sweet, now, because of that lemon juice but I feel like the syrup balances it out well along with using Jameson, which is a softer Irish whiskey. All in all it works together to be delicious and easy to make. The perfect holiday cocktail for Friendsgiving and all for the fall season.

Speaking of the holidays, it's also real easy to multiply and turn into a Harvest Honey Apple Whiskey Punch, too!

Ingredient Swaps

• Whiskey swaps? Try rye for a spicier, less sweet kick or bourbon for a smoother sip. You can also swap in apple brandy!
• No honey? Maple syrup works as well, it will give an even more fall-forward flavor.

How to Make this Honey Apple Whiskey Cocktail

Step 1

Make the honey syrup.

Simmer cider with honey and spices, cool, strain.

Step 2

Add everything to a cocktail shaker with ice.

Combine whiskey, syrup, lemon juice, and bitters with ice.

Step 3

Garnish glasses with sugar, if using.

Use a paper towel dipped in the syrup and wipe some around the rim or side of the glass. Roll in cinnamon sugar on a plate.

Step 4

Pour, garnish, + serve.

Strain into a rocks glass or serve up in a coupe.

Add apple slice, rosemary, + cinnamon stick.

Chef's Tips for Easy Cocktail Making

• Chill the Syrup First: A warm syrup will melt the ice too quickly and water down your drink. Pop it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before mixing.
• Choose a Balanced Whiskey: A bourbon with caramel and vanilla notes will complement the apple and honey best. If you like more spice, use rye whiskey but taste as you go so it doesn’t overpower the cider.

Spiced Honey Apple Whiskey Cocktail

By: Eden Westbrook

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This apple whiskey cocktail tastes like fall in a glass: smooth whiskey, cozy spiced apple cider honey syrup, and a splash of fresh lemon to brighten it up. It’s easy to shake up for one or scale into a party punch, making it perfect for crisp nights, Friendsgiving, or any fall gathering.

Cooling Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

1 cocktail

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Ingredients 

Spiced Honey Syrup

• ▢ 1 cup apple cider
• ▢ ½ cup honey
• ▢ 1 cinnamon stick
• ▢ 2 whole cloves
• ▢ 1 star anise, optional, for warmth

Cocktail

• ▢ 2 oz bourbon or whiskey
• ▢ ¾ oz spiced apple cider honey syrup
• ▢ 3 oz chilled apple cider
• ▢ ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• ▢ 2 dashes orange bitters, optional
• ▢ Ice cubes, for shaking

Garnish

• ▢ Apple slice, dipped in lemon water,cinnamon stick, or rosemary sprig
• ▢ ground cinnamon and granulated sugar, for the rim

Instructions 

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together all the honey syrup ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes, until it's very fragrant.
  1 cup apple cider, ½ cup honey, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole cloves, 1 star anise
• Turn off the heat and let the syrup cool for 10 minutes, then strain into a heat-safe container and chill until ready to use.
• Rim the edges of the glass with the cinnamon sugar, if using.
  ground cinnamon and granulated sugar
• In a cocktail shaker, combine whiskey, syrup, lemon juice, a ½ cup of ice, and bitters, if using. Shake until very cold, about 20 seconds.
  2 oz bourbon or whiskey, ¾ oz spiced apple cider honey syrup, 3 oz chilled apple cider, ½ oz fresh lemon juice, 2 dashes orange bitters, Ice cubes
• Strain into a rocks glass or chilled coupe glass over a large ice cube or regular ice cubes.
• Garnish and serve cold.
  Apple slice

Last step!Be sure to snap a pic and share on Instagram #sweetteaandthyme and tag me at @sweet_tea_thyme so we can all see!

Recipe Notes

Harvest Honey Apple Whiskey Punch (fills a 64 ounce pitcher)

Ingredients

Spiced Apple Cider Honey Syrup (makes about 1 ½ cups)

• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 cup honey
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4–5 whole cloves
• 2 star anise (optional)

Punch

• 16 oz (2 cups) bourbon or whiskey
• 8 oz (1 cup) spiced apple cider honey syrup
• 24 oz (3 cups) apple cider (chilled)
• 4 oz (½ cup) fresh lemon juice
• 6–8 dashes orange bitters (optional)
• Large ice block or ice ring

Garnish

• Thin apple slices (dip in lemon water to prevent browning)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Orange slices or star anise (optional, for a festive look)

Instruction

1. In a medium saucepan, combine cider, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 5 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat, let cool 10 minutes, strain, and chill completely.
2. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine whiskey, chilled syrup, chilled apple cider, lemon juice, and bitters. Stir well.
3. Add a large ice block or ice ring to the bowl to keep the punch cold without over-diluting. Garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices. Ladle into ice-filled glasses.

Chef’s Tips for Parties

• Prep Ahead: Make the syrup and chill everything the day before. Combine just before guests arrive.
• Keep It Cold: Freeze a large ice block (use a loaf pan or bundt pan) with apple cider, apple slices, and cinnamon sticks inside for a pretty presentation in a punch bowl.
• Make It Sparkling: Top with a splash of ginger beer or club soda right before serving for a bubbly punch.
• Offer a Mocktail Option: Keep some of the spiced apple cider honey syrup aside and mix with cider and lemon juice for a zero-proof version.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 7 oz, Calories: 183kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 12g (4%), Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.03g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 102mg (3%), Fiber: 0.2g (1%), Sugar: 9g (10%), Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 6mg (7%), Calcium: 8mg (1%), Iron: 0.1mg (1%)