A dreamy caramel apple Old Fashioned is exactly what your Thursday needs.
I’m excited to share this delicious cocktail. It’s the kind of drink you can make quickly in a single glass — perfect when you don’t want a full pitcher.
Some weekends call for a big cider sangria, others for a single warming cocktail like a whiskey sour. It depends on the weather, plans and mood. And sometimes it depends on whether there’s caramel in the fridge.
This recipe begins with a quick cider caramel. It makes a generous amount because I didn’t want to scale the caramel down to just a couple of tablespoons. Make a batch and keep it in the fridge — it’s great for dipping pumpkin doughnuts, cider churros or salted apple fritters, or for spooning over ice cream.
You’ll be glad you did.
This Old Fashioned is all about the shaking — yes, it’s a twist on the classic. We shake bourbon, a dash of bitters, apple cider in place of water or simple syrup, and a spoonful of caramel sauce instead of granulated sugar. The shaking helps the caramel combine and chill the drink.
Seriously — it’s good.
The first time I tried it I hesitated, thinking it might be too sweet. One sip changed my mind. It’s rich, balanced and totally fall-worthy. If you prefer a less sweet drink, simply add a touch more bourbon to balance the sweetness.
This is my favorite time of year and I always wish fall would last forever. I try to squeeze in all the festivals, pumpkin patches, scenic drives, beer-cheese snacks and seasonal cocktails while I can. This caramel apple Old Fashioned is a new favorite to add to that list — everyone needs a caramel apple cocktail in their fall rotation.
Caramel Apple Old Fashioned
Caramel Apple Old Fashioned
Yield:
1 , is easily multiplied
15 mins
15 mins
30 mins
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Ingredients
Old Fashioned
- 1.5 ounces bourbon
- 1 dash bitters
- 1 ounce apple cider
- 1 teaspoon homemade cider caramel (recipe below)
- green apple slices, thinly sliced for garnish
Quick Cider Caramel
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- pinch cinnamon
Instructions
Old Fashioned
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Fill a glass with ice. Add the bourbon, bitters, apple cider and caramel to a cocktail shaker. Shake for a few seconds until combined, then strain into the glass over ice. Garnish with thin green apple slices.
Quick Cider Caramel
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Combine all caramel ingredients in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk to combine and bring to a gentle bubble. Cook, stirring, for 5 to 6 minutes until the mixture slightly thickens and is smooth. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature — it will thicken as it cools. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge.
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Maybe we should just drink that.