Apple Butter Old Fashioned

A glass of iced apple cider garnished with two cinnamon sticks, with apple slices and more drinks in the background.

This apple butter old fashioned cocktail recipe combines bourbon, apple butter, maple syrup and bitters for a smooth fall cocktail with warm apple flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 3

Total Time 8

Servings cocktails

Calories 232kcal

Author Wanda Simone

Equipment

Vegetable peeler or paring knife
saucepan
jigger
measuring spoons
large shaker
bar spoon
4 Old Fashioned glasses
Cocktail strainer

Ingredients

¼ cup apple butter
¼ cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon aromatic bitters
½ teaspoon orange bitters
1 cup bourbon
Ice
4 narrow slices of orange peel
4 Cinnamon sticks, thin apple slices or wedges for garnish (optional)
Lemon juice for dipping the apple slice

Instructions

Heat the apple butter, maple syrup, aromatic bitters, and orange bitters over low heat, stirring until everything is smooth and combined. Do not let it boil.
¼ cup apple butter, ¼ cup pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon aromatic bitters, ½ teaspoon orange bitters
Pour the apple butter mixture into the shaker.
Fill the cocktail shaker about half-way full with ice.
Ice
Add the bourbon.
1 cup bourbon
Stir for about 30 seconds until well chilled.
Add one large ice cube to each of the old fashioned glasses.
Strain the cocktail over the ice.
Express an orange peel over each glass to release the citrus oils. Then add it to the drink.
4 narrow slices of orange peel
Garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or a fresh apple slice or wedge (dipped in lemon juice to prevent it from browning). Serve immediately.
4 Cinnamon sticks, thin apple slices or wedges, Lemon juice

Notes

For a spicier, drier drink, replace the bourbon with rye whiskey.
You can substitute honey for the maple syrup, although it will change the flavor of the cocktail and won't have the same maple notes. Since honey can be sweeter than maple syrup, you may want to start with a little less and adjust to taste.
Normally, I don't put ice in the shaker until after all of the drink ingredients have been added. But in this case, the ice cools the apple butter mixture before the alcohol goes in.

Nutrition