Apple Butter Old Fashioned
This apple butter old fashioned is a cozy, bourbon-forward cocktail that delivers on flavor and presentation. With the richness of apple butter, a splash of apple cider, and a dash of bitters, it perfectly complements the warmth of bourbon. A beautiful and flavorful sip, ideal for crisp fall evenings.
I’m a longtime fan of the classic old fashioned, so when I came across an apple-inspired twist, I couldn’t resist trying it. The rich, spiced apple butter blends beautifully with the smooth warmth of bourbon and the light sweetness of apple cider. A dash of bitters ties it all together, creating a perfectly balanced and cozy fall cocktail.
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Helpful
Tips
- I recommend sugar-free apple butter, but if you can’t find one without sugar, try to get one that isn’t too sweet.
- I love Woodford Reserve bitters. I have four different flavors: aromatic, orange, chocolate, and my favorite, spiced cherry. For this cocktail, I chose to use aromatic bitters.
- Two good alternative bitters brands are Angostura and Peychaud’s.
- Buy the best bourbon whiskey you can afford. I do think even a mid-level bourbon tastes better than bargain brands. A solid budget bourbon is Evan Williams.
- Apples are in the top 12 fruits with heavy pesticides, so you must thoroughly wash an apple. Here’s how: Squirt some natural, unscented foaming hand soap in your hand and rub the soap on the apple. Take a vegetable brush and scrub the apple skin. Run cold water over the apple and rinse off all the soap. I buy my hand soap at Whole Foods.
- I prefer large ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Here is the tray I use.
How to make an apple butter old fashioned
Pre-step
Wash an apple, get a cocktail shaker, and fill it halfway with ice. Also, get a measuring glass and two double old-fashioned glasses.
Cut an apple in half, core it, cut away four slices for garnish and set aside. Cinnamon sticks are another great garnish, but optional. If you have them, set 2 aside.
After measuring out the ingredients, pour them into the cocktail shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – bourbon, apple butter, apple cider, and aromatic bitters.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of bourbon. (A)
Step three
Measure 4 ounces of apple cider. (B)
Step four
Measure 2 ounces of apple butter. (C)
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Step five
Add 10 drops of aromatic bitters to the cocktail shaker. (D)
Step six
Cap the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Step seven
Add ice cubes to the double old-fashioned glasses. Divide, strain, and pour the liquid between the two glasses.
Place a slice of apple and a cinnamon stick in the glass. Garnish the rim of each glass with a second apple slide.
Let’s get a closer look.
So good.
Yum. The apple butter gives it such a lovely taste, wait til you try it.
I hope you enjoyed this apple butter old fashioned cocktail recipe! Let me know what you think when you try it.
Other festive cocktails
- Apple cider margarita
- Mistletoe martini
- Cranberry cosmo
- Pumpkin spice martini
- Apple dumpling cocktail
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Apple Butter Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 4 ounces bourbon
- 4 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounces apple butter (unsweetened)
- 10 drops aromatic bitters
Garnish
- 4 apple slices
- 2 cinnamon sticks (optional)
Instructions
- Get a cocktail shaker and fill halfway with ice. Also get a measuring glass, and glassware.
- Add bourbon, apple cider, apple butter and bitters.4 ounces bourbon, 4 ounces apple cider, 2 ounces apple butter, 10 drops aromatic bitters
- Cap shaker and vigorously shake for 15 seconds.
- Add fresh ice to glasses and strain and divide the cocktail between the glasses. Add ice from the shaker as well.
- Add 1 apple slice to each glass and 1 slice to the rim of the glasses. Add a cinnamon stick to each glass.4 apple slices, 2 cinnamon sticks
- Sip, smile, and enjoy.
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Helpful tips
- Sugar-free apple butter is ideal for this cocktail, as it lets the bourbon and cider shine. If sugar-free isn’t available, opt for one that’s lightly sweetened to avoid overpowering the drink.
- Woodford Reserve bitters are a personal favorite. With flavors like aromatic, orange, chocolate, and spiced cherry, there’s room to experiment. For this cocktail, aromatic bitters work beautifully.
- Other excellent bitters options include Angostura and Peychaud’s, both reliable and widely available.
- Choose the best bourbon your budget allows. A good mid-range bourbon makes a noticeable difference. If you’re looking for value, Evan Williams is a dependable and affordable option.
- Apples tend to carry pesticide residue, so washing them well is essential. A quick method: apply an unscented, natural foaming hand soap, scrub with a vegetable brush, and rinse under cold water. Whole Foods carries a great selection of gentle, natural soaps.
- Large ice cubes not only look great in an old fashioned glass but also melt more slowly, keeping your drink chilled without watering it down. Consider using a silicone mold for consistent, slow-melting cubes.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
What a great drink! I mean apple butter makes so much difference here and I can’t wait to sip more of this
I’m so glad to hear that Linda!! Thanks for letting me know.
This was incredible! I’d never used apple butter in a drink before and am so glad I tried it. It’s just amazing, thank you!
Thanks so much Erin! I appreciate it! Cheers!
I made this for my husband and he just adored it! The apple butter was a fantastic touch.
I’m so happy to hear this Alex! Thank you for letting me know!
I love easy-to-make cocktails and this one definitely fits the bill, a great cocktail for the fall season. Pretty AND delicious.
Thanks, Silvia! I love apple butter and it’s definitely great for the fall!
Sign me up! Do you deliver too? lol. Seriously though a delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Haha! Wouldn’t that be fun? I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for letting me know, Megan!
OMG, absolutely love the flavor apple butter brings to this classic cocktail! Definitely going into my fall drink rotation.
Thanks so much, Brianna! I love apple butter in this as well!
This was such a huge hit over the weekend that I had to return to share how lovely this recipe is.
I’m so pleased that you did Kari! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!
What a perfect and delicious fall drink that highlights apples! Delicious!
Thanks so much Jamie! I appreciate you letting me know!
This was so tasty and refreshing. A perfect drink to serve during the winter season and celebrate beautiful apples and seasonal flavors. It’s such a simple drink too. Win!
Thanks, Natalie! I am glad you enjoyed it.