Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes
Peak apple picking season is between September and October, which means this time of year, apple products of all kinds are in high demand. We’re talking apple pies, apple cider donuts, and you guessed it, apple cider! Apple cider is made from fresh, recently harvested apples, so it’s really the best time of year to get your hands on some apple cider.
If you already enjoy apple cider but have yet to try it in a cocktail, consider this your invitation. As a non-alcoholic juice, apple cider makes a great addition to cocktails in that it keeps the alcohol content down while adding flavor and sweetness to the cocktail. Cider can also be tart, so it offers an interesting balance to dark spirits.
Here, we share a handful of cocktail recipes you can make at home incorporating fresh apple cider with Mad River Distillers spirits:
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Maple Cask Rum
-1 oz. of fresh Apple Cider
-2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
-cinnamon stick
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an orange peel.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1 oz. of Revolution Rye
-1/2 oz. of Linchpin Aperitivo (or Aperol)
-3 oz. of fresh Apple Cider
-1/2 oz. of fresh lemon juice
-2 drops of Orange Bitters
-Hard Cider to top
-apple slices
Combine all ingredients, except for the hard cider, in a shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into a Collins or highball glass. Top with hard cider. Garnish with 2-3 apple slices.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1.5 oz. of Straight Bourbon or Maple Cask Rum
-1/4 oz. of honey
-1/4 oz. of fresh lemon juice
-2 dashes of Cardamom or Bokers bitters
-hot cider
-orange twist
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients except the hot cider in an Irish coffee mug. Stir to incorporate, then top with hot cider. Garnish with an orange twist.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
- 1.5 oz. Maple Cask Rum
- 2 oz. fresh Apple Cider
- 1/4 oz. Vermont maple syrup
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. orange juice
- 5 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Stowe Cider Dry & High (hard cider to top)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients, except the hard cider, in a shaker with ice. Strain into a Collins glass, then top the glass with hard cider. Add an orange and lemon wedge for garnish.
Instructions - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of First Run Rum
-1/2 oz. of Hennessey Cognac
-1/2 oz. of fresh lime juice
-1 oz. of fresh Apple Cider
-a splash of Laphroaig Scotch
-a splash of simple syrup
Instructions:
Add ice cubes to a rocks glass, and dust cinnamon over the cubes. Combine the ingredients in a shaker. Shake over ice and strain into the rocks glass. Garnish with lemon zest and a cinnamon stick.
While apple cider in cocktails adds a flavorful sweetness that balances dark spirits, there is so much that goes into making a great and balanced cocktail. Another common ingredient in cocktails is citrus, because citrus has both an acid and sugar content that works in concert with other ingredients to either enhance or tame flavors. You’ll notice several of the recipes above include citrus in addition to the cider (much like apple pie usually includes some lemon juice!). If you’re interested in learning more on this topic, we invite you to check out our blog post on How Citrus Transforms Cocktails.
Before apple season is over, be sure to get yourself a container of fresh apple cider so you can try one of our recipes above. For any of our spirits or any bitters, be sure to stop into our Burlington Tasting Room to stock up on supplies in our retail section. Happy mixing!
Written and published by Brianne Lucas on October 13, 2025.
