Spiced Honey Apple Whiskey Cocktail

apple whiskey cocktails garnished with apple slices and rosemary

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Spiced Honey Apple Whiskey Cocktail

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.

Cook Time10

Cooling Time10

Total Time20

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: cocktail

Calories: 183kcal

Author: Eden Westbrook

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

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

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.
In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine whiskey, chilled syrup, chilled apple cider, lemon juice, and bitters. Stir well.
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