Apple Cider Bourbon Smash

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Bourbon, fresh apple cider, maple syrup, and lemon shaken over ice — brighter and crisper than an old fashioned, with the same warm apple depth.

This cocktail is part of our Date Nite collection, made to be sipped while you cook together.

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COCKTAIL RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

2 oz bourbon
1 oz lemon juice
¾ oz maple syrup
2 oz apple cider (or spiced apple juice if cider isn’t available yet)
2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
Apple slices + cinnamon stick, for garnish

Cocktail Method

Fill a shaker with ice.
Add bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, cider, and bitters.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

NOTES FROM THE BAR

Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.

Fresh Apple Cider

Whenever possible, use fresh apple cider for the richest flavor. If it’s not available, you can simmer apple juice with a cinnamon stick and a few cloves for a quick spiced substitute.

Sweetness level

Depending on how sweet your apple cider is, you may want to start with 1/2 oz of maple syrup and adjust if needed.

Maple Depth

Maple syrup adds cozy fall character without making the drink overly sweet. A little goes a long way to round out the bourbon and cider.

DRIED APPLE GARNISH

We love the look of a dried apple slice for this one, especially in fall. It holds up better than fresh and gives the glass a more styled, seasonal feel. A fresh apple slice works too if that's what you have on hand. → Shop our favorite dried apple slices

Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.

A ritual we return to

Our cocktails are part of something bigger for us. They’re the beginning of Date Nite, a connection-centered experience we created to help you slow down, share a meal, and enjoy time with the one you love.

Each Date Nite is thoughtfully planned for you, so you are not stuck deciding what to cook or how to pull the night together. We pair one cocktail with a complete menu, a simple flow from prep to plate, and small details that make the evening feel easy and connected from start to finish.

It is not about perfection. It is about presence, and creating space to reconnect, whether that is with your partner or simply with yourself, over a really good meal.

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