summary

This apple cider and bourbon big batch cocktail recipe is fun, festive and seasonal—perfect for entertaining in cooler months. Set up one of our drink dispensers, glasses and a bucket of ice and you’ve got a great start to a party!

ingredients

4½ cups fresh apple cider, chilled
3⅓ cups top-shelf bourbon
¼ cup pure maple syrup
4½ cups ginger beer, chilled
Apple slices for garnish
Thyme sprigs for garnish

directions

In a large pitcher, stir together the apple cider, bourbon and maple syrup.
When ready to serve, pour the mixture into a large drink dispenser filled with 3–4 cups of ice.
Stir in the ginger beer and serve in glasses filled with ice and garnished with apple slices and thyme sprigs.

notes

This apple cider and bourbon big batch cocktail recipe makes enough for a 1-gallon dispenser.

Make sure you are using fresh apple cider and not apple juice.

You can use bourbon or vodka in this cocktail.

This is super easy to turn into a mocktail. Simply omit the alcohol and you’ve got a fantastic zero-proof cocktail with equal parts apple cider and ginger beer.

Add the ginger beer just before serving so the bubbles stay fresh.

To make a single cocktail, mix 2 ounces apple cider, 1½ ounces bourbon, ½ tsp maple syrup and 2 ounces ginger beer.