Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash

With just 4 ingredients, this Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash will put you in the mood for fall with its warming fall flavors.

I love this cocktail. It’s a fun take on a classic Whiskey Smash, with the addition of apple juice and lime, which go so well with the Bourbon, making it an easy drinking fall cocktail.

If you haven’t already noticed, we like to experiment with adding unique flavors to make interesting whiskey cocktails. Another one we really like is a Whiskey and Orange Juice. Many types of juice go well with the smooth, sweetness of whiskey.

Why You’ll Love It

• Easy: This recipe is so easy to remember how to make, and even easier to put together. Just grab a shot glass or a cocktail jigger and measure out the parts.
• Warming: The whiskey and cinnamon flavors are very warming, perfect for fall.
• No crazy ingredients: Often when making cocktails there are crazy ingredients you don’t have, but not this one!

Ingredients You Need

• Bourbon – Use any brand you like. We use Bulleit Bourbon
• Apple juice – You can also use cider or even hard cider, if you want.
• Lime juice – The lime juice is what brightens up the cocktail. You can substitute with lemon if necessary.
• Agave syrup – This is the sweetener that pulls it all together. Substitute with simple syrup, if necessary.
• Cinnamon – I use a stick of cinnamon and grated cinnamon in this drink.
• Apple slices – for garnish

What is a Bourbon Smash?

A Bourbon Smash is a classic cocktail that belongs to the “smash” family of drinks, characterized by their use of fresh herbs, citrus, a sweetener, and, of course, spirits.

The Bourbon Smash specifically combines bourbon whiskey with fresh mint leaves, lemon, and simple syrup to create a refreshing and flavorful drink. In this cocktail, we use cinnamon as the herb, lime, agave syrup, and we add apple juice for an extra twist.

How to Make a Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash

This is an easy one. You’ll need a cocktail shaker, ice, and a low-ball glass or tumbler for serving.

Add the Bourbon, apple juice, lime juice, and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until well chilled.

Add ice to your glass. Pour the cocktail over the ice. Garnish it with freshly grated cinnamon and/or nutmeg, apple slices and a stick of cinnamon.

This recipe makes just one Apple Bourbon Smash cocktail, so be sure to double the quantity for two!

What Bourbon to Use

Choosing the best bourbon for a Bourbon Smash depends largely on personal taste and the specific flavor profile you’re aiming for. However, a good rule of thumb is to select a bourbon that’s smooth and versatile, with a balance of sweetness, oak, and spice to complement the fresh ingredients. Here are 3 that we really like:

Bulleit Bourbon: Known for its high rye content, Bulleit offers a spicy kick that contrasts nicely with the mint and lemon, adding complexity to your Bourbon Smash.

Buffalo Trace: A reliable, well-rounded bourbon that offers a great balance of sweetness and spice. Its smooth finish makes it a fantastic choice for cocktails.

Woodford Reserve: This bourbon brings a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and caramel. Its smoothness and depth of flavor work beautifully in a smash.

» If you like apple cocktails, we also suggest this delicious Caramel Apple & Spiced Rum Cocktail.

Like it, Love it, Want Some More of It? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch us cook and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. We really love it when you save our recipes to Pinterest 😊

Pin it for later