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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: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
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.
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.
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.
Tieghan, these cocktails are a delight!! I’m currently sipping this one, last week I made the Death Eater Negroni and The Deathly Hallows. All were a hit! Thank you for making this season extra spooky, fun and creative!
Thank you Stephanie! I am really glad this recipe turned out so amazing for you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
Question, can I substitute the real maple syrup for honey? Maple syrup in Puerto Rico is incredibly expensive and I barely use it.
Thanks, can’t wait to try this!
Hey Lola,
Sure that would work! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
looking so delicious.
Thank you! xTieghan
All my favorite cocktail ingredients in one delish seasonal drink! Apple cider and bourbon is simply the best!
Thank you so much Ashley!! xTieghan
what a fun Halloween cocktail, thank you!
I’m a huge bourbon fan, so looking forward to trying this. What brand of bourbon did you use?
Hi Janet! I really like bulleit or woodford reserve! xTieghan
Absolutely loved this recipe, this is the one I am keen on having this weekend. The ginger and cinnamon definitely add a great depth to the cocktail. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you Tommy! I am really glad this cocktail turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Delightful drink!! I used the leftover chai sugar from the pumpkin latte cupcakes as the sugar for the rim!! Highly recommend! 🙂 Tieghan, thanks for working so hard to put out amazing recipes everyday. It’s been a rough year, and I look forward to checking your site daily – trying your recipes has been a bright spot for me during quaratine!
Thank you so much Laura!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Instead of hard apple cider, could you use tonic or sparkling water instead?
Hey Tess,
Yes that would be fine to do. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This drink is delicious!!!! Absolutely perfect on a fall day.
Thank you so much Genevieve! xTieghan
So delicious!!! In the individual serving recipe, I didn’t see listed when to put the apple cider in – so I didn’t use it (on accident, of course)! I’m sure it’s just as good with the apple cider. ???
Thank you so much Chelsea! I am really glad you enjoyed this one! xTieghan
Enjoying this right now. Very good, thank you for the recipe!
Thank you so much Lorie! I am really glad this turned out so ell for you! xTieghan
I made this for my husband because I don’t like bourbon, but I made one for myself immediately after! This was amazing!
Yes!! I am so glad you both enjoyed this recipe, Amanda! Thank you! xTieghan
Do you think this would be good warm??!
Hey Megan,
Yes definitely! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if I can help in any other way! xTieghan
What brand of hard apple cider do you use?
Hey Inga,
For this recipe, I just used apple cider from my local grocery store, it was not hard apple cider. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if I can help in any other way! xTieghan