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A moody photograph of an apple cider old fashioned cocktail in a clear rocks glass, garnished with a cinnamon stick, star anise, and a large orange peel, set against a minimalist black and beige background.

Apple Cider Old Fashioned

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Bourbon stirred with apple cider, maple, and bitters. Warm and aromatic with cinnamon and orange.

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

COCKTAIL RECIPE

Makes 1 cocktail

2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz apple cider reduction or fresh apple cider
1/4 oz maple syrup or simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura or Old Fashioned bitters
1 dash orange bitters, optional
Orange peel, cinnamon stick, and star anise, for garnish

If using the apple cider reduction, make it using the recipe in Notes from the Bar. Add the bourbon, cider, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice and stir for 20 to 30 seconds until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express an orange peel over the glass, drop it in, and garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise.

NOTES FROM THE BAR

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Apple Cider Reduction

Simmer 2 cups apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to about 1/2 cup, 20 to 25 minutes. Let it cool before using. It concentrates the apple flavor without watering down the drink, and keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week.


Bourbon (or Rye) Choice

We love this cocktail made with Rittenhouse Rye for a bold, spicy backbone that balances the sweetness of the cider and maple. A classic bourbon works just as well if you prefer a smoother, richer finish.


Build with Ice

Serve it over a large ice cube for a slow melt that keeps the drink perfectly chilled without diluting the flavor. (You can find our favorite ice cube tray here)


Bitters Matter

Traditional Angostura bitters keep it classic, but try Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters for a more nuanced, aromatic spice kick that complements the apple and cinnamon beautifully.


Sweetness & Balance

If your cider is on the sweeter side, pull back slightly on the maple syrup or add an extra dash of bitters to keep the flavor grounded and balanced.


Garnish with Aroma

An orange peel twist, cinnamon stick, and a single star anise add cozy, seasonal fragrance and make the drink feel holiday-ready.


Seasonal Serve

Ideal for crisp evenings and gatherings, this Apple Cider Old Fashioned carries easily from early fall through the holidays. Truly a glass that feels both nostalgic and elevated.

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JUST RELEASED

30 OF OUR MOST-LOVED COCKTAILS, GATHERED INTO ONE COLLECTION

Cover of A Cocktail Collection by Kevin & Kate Carr, showing a fig cocktail garnished with thyme in a coupe on a black background, with the subtitle 30 Cocktails Worth Making Again.

A COCKTAIL COLLECTION

30 COCKTAILS WORTH MAKING AGAIN

The cocktails we come back to most, gathered into one beautiful PDF, with six new recipes created exclusively for the collection.

80 pages · 24 favorites · 6 exclusive recipes · 13 house-made components

Instant download 

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.

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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.

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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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WE CREATED THIS FOR YOU AND THE ONE YOU LOVE
Kevin & Kate

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