It’s still November, but my heart is already in full Christmas mode — so today I’m sharing a festive cocktail.
We’ll be travelling to India in a few weeks and won’t be celebrating on the 25th, so I’ve gone ahead and hung the garland, turned on the coloured lights and queued up Michael Bublé to croon about how all he wants for Christmas is me.
If you’re not feeling festive yet, this drink works beautifully for Thanksgiving or any autumn dinner party. It combines the seasonal warmth of apple cider and spice with a generous pour of bourbon.
Served well chilled, it’s perfectly balanced — sweet and easy to sip without being overly cloying.
This cocktail is simple: apple cider, maple syrup, cinnamon and bourbon, shaken over ice and finished with a thin apple slice — naturally decorated with a little star if you cut it that way. A few shakes and you’ll be in the holiday spirit, stockings and all.
(Yes, that’s pronounced “Boob” — that’s the affectionate local nickname for Bublé in his hometown.)
When do you start celebrating Christmas? Do you have a favourite holiday cocktail?
Holiday Spiced Apple Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 oz apple cider
- 1 ½ oz bourbon
- ¾ oz maple syrup
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon + more to garnish
- Ice
- 1 apple sliced thinly crosswise, seeds removed, to garnish*
Instructions
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Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until the shaker feels frosty, then strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with an apple round and dust lightly with cinnamon through a fine sieve.
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment!