The forecast temperature for South Florida on Christmas Day is 84°. I mention this because while the rest of the country is warming up with warm mulled wine and hot buttered rum, we take a decidedly cooler approach to winter cocktails here. Bourbon Cider Punch is a crisp, vibrant nod to the ever so subtle change in seasons.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for bourbon cider punch recipe:
- Apple Cider
- Bourbon
- Honey Thyme Simple Syrup
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Club Soda
This fall and winter inspired bourbon cocktail is crisp and light with subtle sweetness from the infused simple syrup and apple cider. If you don’t have club soda, you can also use other sparkling water (even flavored ones like a lemon La Croix).
How to make bourbon cider punch:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add the cider, bourbon, simple syrup and lemon juice.
- Stir well and add a splash of club soda for fizz.
- Garnish and serve.
- Repeat as needed.
It is the holidays after all and we deserve a moment or two of downtime after the shopping, wrapping, cooking and merry making. I’ll take mine curled up on the patio sofa, watching the Christmas lights with the fans blowing a cool breeze. You’re welcome to join me.
This lightly sweet, tart, fizzy bourbon cocktail is perfect for fall and winter. Instead of a plain simple syrup, I used a lightly herbed honey and thyme one! The bourbon cider punch has enough fizz to tickle your nose thanks to a splash of club soda I used Jim Beam, but if you have Maker’s Mark or Woodford that would really elevate the flavor.
More fall cocktails you’ll love:
- Rum Raisin Spiced Old Fashioned
- Lychee Martini
- Ginger Cider Bourbon Smash
- Apple Cider Wine Hot Punch
- Coffee Buzz Martini
- Crimson Kiss
Bourbon Cider Punch
INGREDIENTS:
For each drink
- 4 ounces apple cider or more to taste
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 2 tablespoons thyme simple syrup
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- splash of club soda
garnish
- apple slice
- lemon slice
- thyme sprig
DIRECTIONS:
- Fill a glass with ice. Add the simple syrup, bourbon and apple cider, stir to combine and add the lemon juice and club soda. Garnish with a sprig of lemon and thin slices of lemon and apple. Serve.
NUTRITION:
Don’t Forget To “Pin It” For Later!
Tart, smoky, adult drinks are my weakness! This drink sounds fabulous!
Well this looks (& I’m sure tastes) like fun for your warm weather holiday season. Or anytime! Beautiful, too.
What a delicious cocktail! It would be perfect as the signature cocktail for a holiday party!
Great idea!
Ahhh… this is right up my alley!! I miss the warm climate – although it’s nice when xmas comes with a little chill and snow. Cheers!
What a great cocktail! Sounds great for fall!
This looks like a cocktail that might work will as a punch instead of making each one individually. When converting a drink like this to an amount to fill a punch bowl, what’s the best way to go about it?
Multiply. LOL!
1 gallon apple cider
32 ounces of bourbon (that’s a fifth of bourbon + ~1 cup)
2 cups thyme simple syrup (one recipe)
1 cup + 2 tablespoons lemon juice
I would chill these components together and chill a quart of club soda, separately. Then just before serving, add a quart of club soda to the punch. Float lemon and apple slices on top of the punch! Let me know how it turns out for you! This should serve 16-20.
This cocktail looks delicious!
It is refreshingly different!
Mix, drink, repeat is just what I need today. This punch looks divine and even though it is a whole lot cooler up here in the Rocky Mountains than in South Florida I am all for it! Happy Holidays! 🙂
Happy Holidays to you too! Enjoy!
That sounds great!