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I’m welcoming one and all to this mid-October Saturday night with my favorite eerie cocktail yet…Nightmare on Bourbon Street. The ingredients include fresh apple cider, sweet maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, a generous shot of bourbon, and a splash of hard (Honeycrisp) apple cider. This bourbon cocktail is sweet, spiced, and so warming. Therefore it’s the perfect cocktail to cozy up to on a haunted night this Hallows Eve.
Sometimes I wonder if I take these Halloween cocktails a step too far? But then, I stop myself, Halloween is all about having fun and never taking anything too seriously. It’s about dressing up and being someone (or something) completely different for a day. It’s the one day of the year we all have an excuse to loosen up and pretend we’re someone we’re not. That can be a hard thing for me to do, but when it comes to Halloween, I’m a pro at it.
The thing I love most about Halloween? It allows everyone, no matter your age, to take the day to be a kid again. But, the fun thing about being an adult celebrating Halloween?
The cocktails…of course!
Which brings right into today’s hauntedly delicious drink. It’s kind of like a bourbon smash, but a level up with the addition of warming ginger and cinnamon, and made fizzy with a sweet sparkling hard cider. This one is simple, but it’s one of my favorites.
The quick details.
This Nightmare on Bourbon Street is a mix up of bourbon, a splash of lemon, real apple cider, maple syrup, ginger, and cinnamon..all shaken up and poured over ice. Top each drink off with sparkling hard cider. It’s all things fall and incredibly delicious. Just a little sweet, with apple and cinnamon flavors throughout, and made extra fizzy with a sparkling hard cider. It’s warming and cozy. The perfect easy cocktail recipes to make from today through Halloween night, which crazy enough is two weeks from today.
For the hard cider, I used a local Colorado cider made with Honeycrisp apples. Just be sure to find something that isn’t loaded with additional sugar. You don’t want it to be overly sweet. And then, make sure it’s a sparkling cider. You’ve got to have some bubbles with this drink. They’re unexpected and delicious.
I made this as both a single cocktail…best for when you’re in need of a quick drink to mix up while watching your favorite Halloween movies. And also as a punch bowl style drink. I know we’re not having huge Halloween parties this year, but even small get-togethers need a good party punch, you know? This is that punch you need.
In true Cocktail Saturday form, I’m keeping this short and sweet. Hoping you guys all love this spooky Nightmare on Bourbon Street.
A Saturday night Nightmare on Bourbon Street? Yes, yes, yes. This is certainly the perfect all-around moody cocktail fit for any October night. Maybe even enjoyed alongside yesterday’s pumpkin cupcakes?! A late-night nightcap made even better with a cupcake in hand…
And then you can mash…you can monster mash!
Sorry, had to do it. Enjoy!
PS. The glasses in these photos are classic Old Fashion Glasses. They’re surely the prettiest glasses to add a little bourbon to.
Looking for other haunted Halloween drinks? Here are a few ideas:Â
Lastly, if you make this Nightmare on Bourbon Street. be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nightmare on Bourbon Street
Ingredients
- cinnamon sugar, for rim , (optional)
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1-2 teaspoons real maple syrup, more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger , (or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 ounces sparkling hard Honeycrisp apple cider
- cinnamon sticks, rosemary, and apple slices, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Rim a cocktail glass with cinnamon sugar. Fill with ice. 2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, cider, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, and cinnamon, shake to combine. Strain into the prepared glass. Top with hard cider. Serve with cinnamon sticks, rosemary, and apple slices, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Nightmare on Bourbon Street Punch
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups bourbon
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4-1/3 cup real maple syrup, more or less to taste
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2-3 (12 ounce) bottles sparkling hard honeycrisp apple cider
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In a large pitcher, combine the bourbon, cider, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, and cinnamon. Chill until ready to serve.2. Top with hard cider just before serving. Stir in the apple slices. Garnish each glass with rosemary and cinnamon, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I want to make this for a party! Following your batch recipe, should I go ahead and pour the hard cider into the pitcher? Or top each glass with 5 oz hard cider? And how much ground ginger would I use instead of fresh ginger? Thank you!
Hi Hailey,
You can go ahead and add the hard cider into the pitcher, just be sure to do it right before serving. I would use 1/2 tablespoon of ground ginger. I hope you love this recipe. Cheers!
Hello,
when you say 2-3 (12 once) for the hard apple cider is it like 2 or 3 time 12 once ? Or 12 once total quantity ?
Hi Amandine,
The bottles of cider that I used are 12 ounces each, so you will want to use 2-3 of those. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Could this be heated and served hot?
Hi Jeri,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! Cheers!
Looks so yummy. Wondering if I can batch make these for the refrigerator door.
Should have specified a large quantity. Gallons.
Hi! So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for trying it out! xT
Thanks for sharing. We are going to make and review this on our channel Bourbon School. Should be out the Friday before Halloween. We’ll include a link to your site so people can get the recipe! Cheers!!!
Aww thanks! Hope you enjoy! xT