Apple Pie Bourbon Smash
An apple pie bourbon smash is a shaken cocktail of bourbon, apple cider, brown sugar cinnamon syrup, fresh lemon juice and apple pie filling, double strained over fresh ice and topped with ginger beer. Swap in a non-alcoholic bourbon and it works as a mocktail.
| Bourbon | 2 oz, or a non-alcoholic bourbon |
| Shake time | 15 to 20 seconds |
| Strain | Double strain through a fine-mesh strainer |
| Serve | Over fresh ice, topped with ginger beer |
| Yield | 1 cocktail |
Fall in a rocks glass. Bourbon, apple cider and fresh lemon, sweetened with brown sugar cinnamon syrup, with a spoonful of apple pie filling shaken in so it tastes like the pie. A splash of ginger beer on top finishes it.
Make it with your favorite bourbon or go non-alcoholic. I use Spiritless Kentucky 74 in mine, and the method is the same.
Apple Pie Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger
- Fine-mesh tea strainer
- Spoon
- Rocks glass
- Saucepan (only if you make your own syrup)
Ingredients
Apple Pie Bourbon Smash
- 2 oz bourbon I use Spiritless Kentucky 74, a non-alcoholic bourbon. Use your favorite.
- 2 oz apple cider
- 3/4 oz brown sugar cinnamon syrup I use Torani. Homemade recipe below.
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 Tbsp apple pie filling
- ginger beer to top
- ice for the shaker and for the glass
- apple slices, lemon peel and a cinnamon stick for garnish
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup (if you can’t find Torani)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Make the Syrup (if you can’t find Torani)
- Combine the brown sugar, water and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Let the syrup cool, then remove the cinnamon sticks.
Build the Drink
- Add the bourbon, apple cider, syrup, lemon juice and apple pie filling to an empty cocktail shaker.
- Stir the liquids and the apple pie filling together with a spoon before adding ice. This helps the filling dissolve into the bourbon and cider.
Shake and Serve
- Fill the shaker with plenty of ice. Shake hard for at least 15 to 20 seconds. The ice breaks down the filling and chills the drink.
- Double strain through a fine-mesh tea strainer into a glass filled with fresh ice. This catches any leftover apple pieces and cinnamon bits.
- Top with ginger beer. Garnish with apple slices, lemon peel and a cinnamon stick.
Notes
Pitmaster Notes
Stir the liquids and the apple pie filling together with a spoon before you add ice. That loosens the filling so it dissolves into the bourbon and cider. Then shake hard. The ice works like a blender and chills the drink. Double strain so no apple pieces or cinnamon bits end up in the glass, then top with ginger beer. I use Spiritless Kentucky 74, a non-alcoholic bourbon, in mine. Use your favorite bourbon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you mix apple pie filling into a cocktail?
Stir it into the liquids with a spoon before you add ice, then shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds with plenty of ice. The ice breaks the filling down like a blender.
Why double strain an apple pie bourbon smash?
A fine-mesh tea strainer over the glass catches leftover apple pieces and cinnamon bits, so the drink pours smooth over fresh ice.
Can I make this apple pie bourbon smash as a mocktail?
Yes. Swap the bourbon for a non-alcoholic bourbon and keep everything else the same. I make mine with Spiritless Kentucky 74. Use your favorite bourbon if you drink it.
Do I need to make the syrup?
No. I use Torani brown sugar cinnamon syrup. If you can’t find it, heat 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup water and 2 cinnamon sticks, or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, until the sugar dissolves.
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Pour one with the turkey cranberry crostini or after the sweet potato swiss roll. More cooks live in our recipes and on the holiday recipes page.
