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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. Fresh apple cider, sweet maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, a generous shot of bourbon, and a splash of hard (Honeycrisp) apple cider. This haunted concoction 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, 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 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 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:
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
Servings: 1
Calories Per Serving: 366 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Shop ingredients at your local Target store. Learn more
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.
Nightmare on Bourbon Street Punch
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 387 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Shop ingredients at your local Target store. Learn more
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.
I can’t tell – is this served on ice? Looks like an ice is in the glass?
Hi Rachel,
It sure is:) Step 1: Rim a cocktail glass with cinnamon sugar. Fill with ice. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Absolutely delicious and perfect for a cool fall night!
Hi Jess,
Happy Sunday!!🎃 I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
I am not a bourbon drinker, and this is an AMAZING recipe! Everyone loved it!!
Hey Jaimie,
Happy Friday!👻 Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your review! I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
Tieghan- you totally nailed the perfect Fall cocktail! This is a new favorite for sure! Can’t wait to share it with family and friends.
Hi Allison,
Happy Monday!! I truly appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed! xx
Loved this one. Pretty simple with just a few ingredients. The fresh ginger adds that extra tart deliciousness! Can’t go wrong with a cinnamon sugar rim.
Thanks so much Meg!! xTieghan
About to make it tonight! So excited!! All the lovely fall flavors here!
Hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Can I make this a batched cocktail???
This is a great fall cocktail! I have made it a few times this season and it is delicious. I have tried making it without the hard cider too and it’s still really good!
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, so happy to hear you enjoyed it! xTieghan
Just tried this. So many flavors of fall and packs a punch. New favorite!!!!
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Hi! So excited to make a batch of this for Thanksgiving! Which Colorado hard cider did you use?? Also, I’d like to make a non-alcoholic version for a non-drinker in my family. Is there anything you think i should add to replace the flavor profiles of the bourbon and hard cider?
Hey Liz!! I realize this response is very late, so I am hoping you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and loved this cocktail!!
I used the cider from City Market (Kroger) and it does not have any alcohol. For a non alcohol version, top this off with ginger beer, That will be great!
Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! And Happy Holidays!! xTieghan ?
SO GOOD! Have made this twice now and it’s a new fall favorite for my husband and me!
Quality of bourbon matters a bit though.. I used one that I don’t like that much the first time thinking the flavors would make up for it and then used Jameson whiskey (I didn’t have other bourbon) the second time and I preferred the Jameson one
I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Tanya! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
Favorite. Cocktail. Ever.
Thank you Mackenzie! xTieghan
I made these for a Halloween gathering yesterday and they were a hit! So delicious but not too sweet. Thanks Tieghan!
Thank you!! I am really happy this one turned out so amazing for you, JP! xTieghan
This tastes like fall in a cup! Soo good! We didn’t have hard cider so just added a little extra regular apple cider and it’s great!
Thank you so much Kelsey! xTieghan
Delicious!! I love a drink that isn’t too sweet. I bought bourbon to make the bourbon sweet potatoes (also delicious) and wanted to try it in a drink. Next time i will use real ginger and make a pitcher ? Thank you.
Thank you so much Judy! I am really glad this turned out so amazing for you! xTieghan