It’s that time of the year when many classic cocktails feature seasonal flavors like this easy Spiced Apple Old Fashioned cocktail. Much like the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Old Fashioned, which I make around Christmas. This cocktail has warm tastes of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and star anise. I chose ingredients that stay true to the classic Old Fashioned recipe: aromatic bitters, a sweetener, bourbon, and orange zest, but still leave room for play and originality.
So, what makes this cocktail taste like apple pie? It’s the homemade spiced apple syrup and Allspice Dram. The syrup can be made in a couple of different ways. I made it using apple cider, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. You could also use fresh apples, water, and brown sugar. The syrup adds a deep apple flavor, which complements the caramel notes in the bourbon. It’s a winner, for sure!
What kind of Bourbon to use in an Old Fashioned?
Make this cocktail with any bourbon, but I recommend something you enjoy on its own. Anything between 81 to 90 proof is a good choice. Makers Mark, Coopers’ Craft, and Mitchers are great choices.
What are Aromatic bitters?
Bitters help bring balance to the old-fashioned by acting as the salt & pepper of the cocktail; as a result, this cocktail strikes the perfect balance of apple, spices, vanilla, and oak. The most popular brand of Aromatic Bitters is the Angostura brand. Aromatic bitter flavors are spicy notes of cinnamon and berries with a strong clove taste.
What is Allspice Dram?
Allspice Dram is a liqueur made with rum, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg, with notes of pepper. It’s also known as Pimento Dram. St.Elizabeth Allspice Dram is one of the more popular liqueurs and can be found in most liquor stores.
How to make a Spiced Apple Old Fashioned
Step 1
To begin, add the spiced apple syrup, bitters, allspice dram, and bourbon to a mixing glass and stir together. Then add the ice and stir until the glass is chilled and the cocktail has reached your desired dilution.
Step 2
Next, add one large ice cube to an old-fashioned glass and pour the cocktail over the ice. To finish the cocktail, express an orange peel over the glass, garnish the orange peel, and enjoy!
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Easy Spiced Apple Old Fashioned Cocktail
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktail
Description
An easy and delicious old-fashioned cocktail made using a spiced apple simple syrup and bourbon.
Ingredients
Spiced Apple Simple Syrup
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
Old Fashioned
- 1/2 oz Spiced Apple simple syrup
- 3 dashes Aromatic bitters
- 1/4 oz Allspice Dram
- 1 and 1/2 oz Bourbon
- Ice
- Orange peel
Instructions
Spiced Apple Simple Syrup
- Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir to ensure that the sugar is dissolved then reduce the heat to low and let the liquid simmer on low until the syrup forms. This should take about 20-25 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool.
The Old Fashioned
- Add the spiced apple syrup, bitters, Allspice Dram, and bourbon to a mixing glass and stir together. Add the ice and stir until the glass is chilled and the cocktail has reached your desired dilution.
- Add one large ice cube to an old-fashioned glass and pour the cocktail over the ice. Express an orange peel over the glass, garnish the orange peel and enjoy!
Excited to make this. Did you strain the syrup to get the spices out of it before bottling it?
Hi, yes I strained the syrup. Enjoy!