Apple Old Fashioned
This Apple Old Fashioned is the coziest fall cocktail! Apple brandy and apple butter give this drink a bold apple flavor without overpowering the smooth bourbon.
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A Fall Remake of the Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail
As the leaves change color and the air becomes crisp, I find myself swapping out refreshing spritzes for cozy cocktails packed with the warming flavors of fall.
Old fashioneds have long been a favorite in our house. There’s something about a super simple cocktail that lets the bourbon do most of the talking that makes every slow sip a pleasure.
I’ve made a smoked old fashioned in the past and have even experimented with making an old fashioned with tequila, but this is the first time I’ve infused the classic flavors in this cocktail with apple and spices.
You definitely need to make this apple brandy old fashioned, here’s why:
✔ Spiced Apple Flavor: The apple brandy is fruity with a hint of spice, which the apple butter complements nicely. Both work together to infuse the cocktail with apple flavor without overwhelming the rich flavor of the bourbon.
✔ No Special Equipment: If you have cocktail tools on hand, great, otherwise this cocktail is simply stirred together and requires no shaking.
✔ Easy to Scale Up: This recipe makes one perfect cocktail, but you can easily stir together enough for several cocktails if you have friends over or are hosting a holiday party.
Happy Sipping!
-Katie
Special Equipment You’ll Need
You don’t need any previous experience to make a stellar apple and bourbon old fashioned at home! However, having these tools on hand will make your life easier:
- Cocktail Mixing Glass — To mix together the cocktail. Feel free to use a glass measuring cup if you don’t own a cocktail mixing glass.
- Cocktail Spoon — For stirring the ingredients together.
- Cocktail Strainer — I prefer straining this cocktail since the apple butter will leave some sediment in the bottom of your glass otherwise.
- Cocktail Jigger — For accurately measuring out the ingredients.
- Rocks Glasses — The traditional choice for serving an old fashioned. Again, use any glass you have on hand!
Here’s How to Make an Apple Old Fashioned
All of the ingredients with their measurements have been provided in the recipe card below. Below is an overview of how this fall bourbon cocktail is made, plus my tips for customizing your drink.
Step 1: Combine the following in a mixing glass …
- Bourbon — Has undertones of vanilla, caramel, and spice that goes so nicely with the apple. You may also use Rye for a spicier, less sweet cocktail.
- Apple Brandy — Something like Calvados is perfect.
- Apple Butter — I prefer using my Instant Pot Apple Butter if I have it on hand, otherwise I buy a quality jar from the store.
- Bitters — Either aromatic and orange bitters may be used. We’ve experimented with both and can’t choose which we prefer in this drink!
Katie’s Tip: We love Woodford Reserve, Breckenridge Bourbon, Basil Hayden, and Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon for making our bourbon cocktails.
Step 2: Stir until the apple butter dissolves ….
This could take up to 30 seconds, so keep stirring!
Step 3: Add ice, then stir again before straining …
This cocktail tastes best when strained over fresh ice. We love garnishing ours with an orange twist, thinly sliced apple, and / or a cinnamon stick.
For such a simple cocktail, there are quite a few ways you can customize it to your liking. Let me know if you end up altering the recipe in any way so I can try it out for myself! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Variations and Substitutions to Try
- Want it simpler? Skip the fruit brandy and just use 2 oz bourbon or rye.
- Want it cozier? Use a smoked cinnamon stick or a few drops of chai syrup.
- Want it sweeter? Add extra apple butter or a splash of pure maple syrup for sweetness and flavor.
- Want to make a caramel apple old fashioned? Rim your glasses with vanilla bourbon caramel sauce for a hint of caramel with every sip.
- Want to make a pear old fashioned? Replace the apple brandy with pear brandy, and use pear butter instead of apple butter.
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More Fall Cocktails You’ll Love
I have lots of fun cocktail recipes, but here are the ones we love to make in the fall. They usually feature apple, pumpkin, or a blend of warming spices!
Apple Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
Apple brandy and apple butter give this fall old fashioned a bold apple flavor without overpowering the smooth bourbon.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz bourbon or rye*
- 0.5 oz apple brandy (like Calvados)
- 1 heaping teaspoon apple butter
- 2–3 dashes aromatic or orange bitters
- Ice (large cube)
- Optional Garnish: orange peel, cinnamon stick, or thin apple/pear slice
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, fruit brandy, fruit butter, bitters, and salt or maple (if using).
- Stir until the fruit butter dissolves. This might take 20–30 seconds.
- Add ice and stir again briefly to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish however fall-ish you like: orange peel, cinnamon stick, apple or pear slice.
Notes
*Bourbon will be slightly sweeter and smoother, wheras rye will be drier and spicier.
Apple brandy: May be omitted (in that case use 2 oz bourbon or rye total)
Make it a pear old fashioned: Simply replace the apple brandy with pear brandy, and use pear butter instead of apple butter.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 368Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 260mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 9gSugar: 17gProtein: 5g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy. This provided information is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Try Making a Fall Old Fashioned!
If you’re craving a fun fall cocktail made with the warming flavors of apple and spice, bust out the bourbon and apple brandy and make this twist on the old fashioned.
Did You Try This Recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and a review below—your feedback helps others and makes my day.
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