_{The Ultimate Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash Recipe – Please note: Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners, who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about, as well as where and how they appear on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.}

There’s something magical about sipping a perfectly balanced cocktail when the air turns crisp and golden leaves crunch underfoot. Enter the Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash—a rich, spiced, and refreshing fall drink that combines the bold warmth of bourbon with the sweet tartness of apple cider and the cozy kiss of cinnamon.

This cocktail is tailor-made for sweater weather evenings, festive gatherings, or simply unwinding at the end of the day. With a simple shake and a few pantry staples, you’ll have the ultimate autumn cocktail that’s as easy to make as it is to love.

Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash at a Glance

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• ¾ oz maple syrup or simple syrup
• 2 oz apple cider
• 1–2 dashes Angostura bitters
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
• Apple slices and fresh thyme or rosemary (for garnish)
• Crushed ice

Directions

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, apple cider, and ground cinnamon (if using).
2. Add ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until well chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.
4. Garnish with thin apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, spiced aromas with every sip.

Optional Garnishing Ideas

• Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar for a festive touch.
• Add a dried orange wheel or star anise for visual appeal.
• Use smoked cinnamon sticks for added drama and fragrance.

Make It a Batch Cocktail

Hosting a gathering? This recipe is easily scalable.

For a pitcher (serves 6):

• 12 oz bourbon
• 6 oz lemon juice
• 4.5 oz maple syrup
• 12 oz apple cider
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon or 3 cinnamon sticks
• Add 6–8 dashes of bitters

To serve:

• Mix everything in a large pitcher.
• Chill until ready to serve.
• Pour over ice and garnish each glass individually.

Bourbon Pairing Tips

Choose a bourbon with a smooth finish and notes of caramel, vanilla, or spice.
Great options include:

• Bulleit
• Woodford Reserve
• Maker’s Mark
• Elijah Craig

These pair beautifully with the apple and cinnamon flavors.

Why This Cocktail Works

The balance is everything:

• Bourbon brings body and warmth
• Apple cider adds sweetness and seasonal flavor
• Lemon juice brightens and balances
• Maple syrup ties in earthy depth
• Cinnamon infuses cozy fall spice

Together, they create a drink that’s bold yet refreshing—perfect for sipping by the fire, toasting with friends, or kicking off a fall dinner party.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this cocktail with:

• A charcuterie board with aged cheddar and dried apple
• Pork sliders with apple slaw
• Spiced nuts or roasted squash appetizers

Serve in:

• A heavy-bottom rocks glass or lowball tumbler
• Crushed or cubed ice for a refreshing chill

Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash Mocktail Option

Looking for a non-alcoholic version? This smash can easily be transformed into a family-friendly or zero-proof beverage.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz maple syrup
• 4 oz apple cider
• 1 dash bitters (optional – check if non-alcoholic)
• Dash of cinnamon
• Crushed ice
• Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick

Instructions:

• Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
• Garnish and enjoy!

Final Thoughts: A Fall Classic in a Glass

The Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash is everything a fall cocktail should be—aromatic, slightly sweet, deeply warming, and unmistakably seasonal. It’s elegant enough for a dinner party, easy enough for a weeknight wind-down, and endlessly customizable.

So whether you’re pouring just one or making a whole pitcher, this bourbon smash is your go-to signature drink of the season.

Shake it up, sip slowly, and savor the flavors of fall.