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Apple cider bourbon cocktail in a rocks glass with apple slice and cinnamon stick

Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail (Big-Batch Pitcher)

A smooth, gently spiced apple cider bourbon cocktail you can make by the pitcher. Maple, warm spices, and citrus keep it balanced and party-ready.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups apple cider unfiltered if possible
  • 3 cups bourbon
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice about 4 lemons
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice about 2 oranges
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or to taste
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 orange peel 3 to 4 wide strips with minimal white pith
  • 1 apple thinly sliced, for garnish
  • 1 orange thinly sliced, for garnish
  • 24 oz ginger beer or club soda optional, for topping glasses
  • ice for serving
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar optional, for cinnamon-sugar rim
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon optional, for rim
  • 1 lemon wedge optional, to wet rims

Method
 

  1. Make the spice base: Add 2 cups of the apple cider to a medium saucepan with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange peel. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer 10 minutes; do not boil.
  2. Remove from heat and cool 10 minutes, then strain the spiced cider into a large pitcher or airtight container. Discard the spices and peel.
  3. Add the remaining 6 cups apple cider, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, and maple syrup to the pitcher. Stir to combine, then cover and chill until cold, at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.
  4. Just before serving, stir in the bourbon. Taste and adjust maple or lemon to balance, depending on the sweetness of your cider and bourbon.
  5. Optional rim: Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon on a small plate. Rub glass rims with a lemon wedge, then dip in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  6. To serve, fill glasses with ice. Pour the cocktail over ice and garnish with apple and orange slices.
  7. For a bubbly version, top each glass with 1 to 2 ounces of ginger beer or club soda and give a gentle stir.
  8. Keep the pitcher chilled in an ice bath during the party, and replenish fruit garnishes as needed so they stay fresh and crisp.

Notes

Different ciders vary in sweetness. Start with less maple syrup and add more after tasting with bourbon and ice.
If making a hot version, warm gently and add bourbon off heat to keep the flavors smooth.
Use a vegetable peeler to remove wide orange strips with minimal pith so the infusion tastes bright, not bitter.
Large ice cubes melt slower and keep the drink from diluting too fast.