Bobbie'sKitchen
Cocktails & Mocktails

Apple Pie Old Fashioned

Bourbon and spiced apple syrup with bitters, apple slices and a pie-inspired rim.

Apple Pie Old Fashioned, photographed by Bobbie
The original food picture from Bobbie's recipe card.
Makes 1 drink (or a pitcher for 8) 5 minutes to mix with prepared syrup; syrup requires 10–15 minutes simmering plus coolingBuy ingredients on Amazon Make a shopping list for this
Contains alcoholAdults onlyMake ahead

Contains alcohol — adults only. Card heading states 5 minutes total and 0 minutes cook (just mix); syrup takes 10–15 minutes plus cooling. Bobbie confirmed the vanilla is stirred into the syrup after it comes off the heat, before cooling. Pitcher quantities are preserved independently: 8 oz syrup and tablespoon amounts of bitters, not eight times the single-drink measures. Pitcher: mix in a large pitcher with ice; stir well and serve over large ice cubes; garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Tips: good-quality bourbon and fresh cider; large cubes; steep syrup up to 30 minutes; smoke-infused bourbon; graham cracker or pie crust rim; use half the bourbon and sparkling water for a lighter version. Variations: caramel syrup; brown sugar replaced with maple syrup; pear juice instead of cider. Mocktail: non-alcoholic bourbon alternative with spiced apple syrup and sparkling apple cider. Syrup keeps airtight refrigerated up to 2 weeks; mixed cocktail without ice can be made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated, stirring with ice before serving. Pair with apple pie, pecan pie, roast turkey, herb stuffing, Brie, candied pecans, charcuterie, butternut squash, caramel cheesecake or gingerbread cookies.

Ingredients

Spiced apple syrup (about 1 cup, enough for 8 drinks, as printed)

  • 1 cup apple cider (240 ml)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (200 g)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 strip orange peel (optional)

Cocktail (1 drink)

  • 2 oz bourbon (60 ml)
  • ½ oz spiced apple syrup (15 ml)
  • 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters (optional)
  • Large ice cube

Garnish

  • Apple slice
  • Cinnamon stick
  • Caramel drizzle (optional)
  • Crushed graham crackers (or pie crust crumbs) for rim (optional)

Pitcher (8 servings, as printed)

  • 16 oz bourbon (480 ml)
  • 8 oz spiced apple syrup (240 ml)
  • 2–3 tbsp Angostura bitters
  • 1–2 tbsp orange bitters (optional)

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Method

  1. 1

    Make the spiced apple syrup: in a small saucepan, combine apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves and orange peel. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla, then let cool and strain. Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

  2. 2

    Prepare the glass: for a rim (optional), drizzle caramel on a small plate and dip the rim of the glass into caramel, then into crushed graham crackers or pie crust crumbs. Add a large ice cube to the glass.

  3. 3

    Make the cocktail: in the glass, combine bourbon, spiced apple syrup, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. Stir gently for 15–20 seconds until well combined and chilled.

  4. 4

    Garnish and enjoy: add an apple slice and a cinnamon stick. For an extra touch, drizzle a little caramel on top or around the glass rim. Sip and savor!

Get this in a pack

Apple Pie Old Fashioned is printed in Holiday Cocktails & Mocktails

29 recipes, each on its own printable page, with a shopping list. Instant download. See what's inside

$9

Or get every pack in one go: The Whole Kitchen Collection — $39

From Bobbie's “Bobbie's Recipe Card 108”. Written up by Bobbie's Kitchen · Updated 26 October 2026