This apple cider bourbon ginger fizz tastes like fall in a glass. Crisp apple cider, smooth bourbon, and a splash of spicy ginger beer come together in a bubbly, cozy cocktail. It is an easy pick for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or a cool night by the fire.

You only need four main ingredients plus ice and a garnish. There is no simple syrup to make and no fancy bar tools beyond a shaker. It takes just a few minutes per drink.

What I love most is how easy it is. You do not need to be a bartender to make it taste great. The apple slice and cinnamon stick on top make it look festive with almost no extra work.

Why This Cocktail Works

• Apple and bourbon are a natural match. Bourbon has notes of vanilla and caramel that taste great with sweet, tart cider.
• Ginger beer adds sparkle and spice. It brings bubbles and a little heat, which keeps the drink from tasting too sweet.
• Lemon brightens it up. A half ounce of fresh lemon juice balances the cider’s sugar.
• Easy to scale. Make one drink, or mix a pitcher for a party.

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

The amounts below make one cocktail. Multiply them for more.

• 2 ounces bourbon: A mid-priced bourbon works great here. Rye whiskey gives a spicier drink, and spiced rum is a fun swap.
• 3 ounces apple cider: Unfiltered cider has the best flavor. It is cloudy and tastes more like fresh apples than clear apple juice does.
• 1 ounce ginger beer: Ginger beer is spicier than ginger ale. Use ginger ale if you want it milder and sweeter.
• ½ ounce fresh lemon juice: Bottled juice tastes flat, so squeeze a fresh lemon if you can.
• Ice, apple slices, and a cinnamon stick: Use fresh ice in the glass so the drink stays cold and does not taste watered down.

How to Pick Apple Cider and Ginger Beer

The cider makes up most of this drink, so it is worth grabbing a good one. Look for fresh, unfiltered apple cider in the refrigerated section of the grocery store or at a local orchard in the fall. It should be cloudy and smell like fresh apples. Shelf-stable cider works too, but it tends to taste sweeter and flatter.

Ginger beer brands vary a lot in heat. Some are mild and sweet, while others have a strong ginger bite. Taste a little on its own first. If it is very spicy, start with less and add more to taste. Keep it cold until the moment you pour so it stays bubbly.

How to Make It at a Glance

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the bourbon, apple cider, and lemon juice, and shake well for about 15 seconds.
3. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Top with ginger beer.
5. Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Shaking the ginger beer. Carbonated drinks foam up and lose their fizz in a shaker. Always add ginger beer last, right in the glass.
• Using shaker ice in the glass. That ice is already partly melted. Fresh ice keeps the drink colder longer.
• Swapping in apple juice. Clear apple juice is much sweeter and thinner. Cider gives you real apple flavor.
• Letting apple slices brown. Cut garnishes right before serving, or brush them with a little lemon juice.

Variations

• Mocktail: Skip the bourbon and add an extra ounce of cider and a splash more ginger beer. Kids and non-drinkers can enjoy it too.
• Maple fizz: Add ¼ ounce of pure maple syrup to the shaker for a richer, cozier drink.
• Cinnamon sugar rim: Rub the rim of the glass with lemon, then dip it in cinnamon sugar.
• Warm version: Heat the cider with a cinnamon stick, stir in the bourbon and lemon, and skip the ginger beer for a hot toddy style drink.
• Party pitcher: Multiply the ingredients by 6 to 8, mix everything except the ginger beer in a pitcher, and float apple slices on top.

What to Serve With It

This drink goes well with salty, savory snacks. Try a cheese board with sharp cheddar and sliced apples, spiced nuts, or bacon-wrapped dates. It also pairs nicely with a holiday meal of roast turkey or pork, or with a slice of apple pie or pumpkin bread for dessert.

FAQ

What is the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?
Ginger beer is brewed and has a stronger, spicier ginger flavor. Ginger ale is a lighter, sweeter soda. Both are usually non-alcoholic.

Can I make this without a shaker?
Yes. Stir the bourbon, cider, and lemon juice with ice in a glass for about 20 seconds, then top with ginger beer.

What bourbon should I use?
Pick one you would enjoy on its own, but there is no need for an expensive bottle. The cider and ginger beer carry a lot of the flavor.

How do I keep a big batch fizzy?
Add the ginger beer to each glass as you serve, not to the pitcher. That keeps every drink bubbly.

Set out the cider, bourbon, ginger beer, and garnishes, and guests can even build their own. The full recipe card is just below, followed by a make-ahead tip.

Apple Cider Bourbon Ginger Fizz

Recipe by Derek Jacobson

Servings

4

servings

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon

• 3 oz apple cider (unfiltered apple cider for the best flavor).

• 1 oz ginger beer

• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

• Ice

• Apple slices and cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Directions

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Add bourbon, apple cider, and lemon juice. Shake well.
• Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
• Top with ginger beer.
• Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.

Notes

For a batch version, multiply ingredients by 6 to 8 and serve in a pitcher with floating apple slices.

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Make-Ahead Tip

Mix the bourbon, cider, and lemon juice in a pitcher up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. When it’s time to serve, just pour over ice, top with ginger beer, and garnish.