Apple Pie Old Fashioned Cocktail

An Apple Pie Old Fashioned Cocktail encompasses all those fruity apple pie filling flavors in a glass. Made with homemade apple pie infused whiskey, this cocktail is simple, bold, and made for sipping all fall long. Whether it’s a crisp night by the fire or your Thanksgiving happy hour, this two-ingredient drink hits all the right notes of cinnamon, clove, and baked apple.

There’s something about this cocktail that feels like fall in a glass. The apple pie–infused whiskey carries all those baking spice notes you love, including cinnamon, clove, nutmeg. However the cocktail itself isn’t being overly sweet.

I first made this on one of those perfect fall evenings with an overcast sky, the faint smell of wood smoke in the air, and my pup curled up at my feet. Once that first sip hit, I knew it was going to be my go-to all season.

The flavors of apple pie come through in the cinnamon, clove, and apple-y notes that flow through the infused whiskey. Along with a dash of the bitters flavor, you get a slightly sweet, spirit-forward cocktail. Instead of needing to add in simple syrup, there’s a small amount of sweetener in the infused whiskey. That along with the natural sweetness of the apples gives you just enough to cut through the strength of the alcohol.

You only need two ingredients, and if you’ve made my Apple Pie Infused Whiskey, you’re already halfway there. Just stir, sip, and enjoy the kind of cocktail that makes any night feel a little more special.

ingredients

Apple Pie–Infused Whiskey: The star of the show. You can make your own or use a store-bought cinnamon whiskey. Homemade gives the best flavor depth and gives you that real apple flavor.

Angostura Bitters: Just a few dashes round out the sweetness is all you need! You could also use orange bitters here too.

Garnish: A cinnamon stick and fresh apple slice.

Ice: Use a single large ice sphere or cube so it melts slowly.

This Recipe’s Must-Haves

You’ll need a rocks glass (double old-fashioned style is classic), a bar spoon for stirring, and ice sphere molds for slow-melting.

How to Make this Apple Pie Old Fashioned

stir

In a cocktail glass, add a large ice cube. Add 2 to 3 dashes of bitters and pour in the infused whiskey. Stir the mixture gently to combine.

garnish

Garnish with a fresh (or dried) apple slices and cinnamon stick. Sip slowly and enjoy.

Variations

• Use Bourbon: Use your favorite bourbon if you don’t have infused whiskey on hand, and add a dash of apple cider for sweetness.
• Spiced Maple Twist: Add ½ teaspoon of maple syrup for a slightly sweeter version.
• Smoky Apple: Use smoked cinnamon bitters for a bolder finish.

FAQs

Can I use regular whiskey instead of apple pie whiskey?

Absolutely. Just add in a dash of cinnamon, one star anise, and a splash of apple cider to get similar flavor notes.

What bitters should I use?

Classic Angostura bitters are perfect here, but you can also try orange bitters or smoked orange bitters for a fruitier spin.

Can I make this in a batch for a party?

Yes! Combine whiskey and bitters in a pitcher (8 oz whiskey + 10 dashes bitters = 4 servings). Add ice and garnish individually when serving.

Need more inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

This Recipe’s Must-Haves

The glasses you see in the photos here were an old set I got from Williams Sonoma, but I am totally digging these double old fashioned glasses! They are next on my list to add to our bar collection. Really any rocks glass will work!

If you don’t have the classic bar spoons to stir up your cocktails, you should invest in a simple cocktail stirring spoons set.

To make the best ice spheres, I use ice sphere molds. Super affordable and durable!

Finally, if you make this apple pie old fashioned cocktail recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

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