Crisp Rye Whiskey Apple Cider Old Fashioned
A fall-inspired twist on an Old Fashioned cocktail with rye whiskey and apple cider balanced by warm spices and orange zest. This recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together rye whiskey, fresh apple cider, maple syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 1 oz fresh apple cider
- 0.25 oz maple syrup
- 3 dashes angostura bitters
- 1 large strip orange peel
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup ice cubes
The shaker and jigger we’d mix this with → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth Buying
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a mixing glass with 1 cup ice cubes and pour in 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz fresh apple cider, 0.25 oz maple syrup, and 3 dashes angostura bitters.
- Step 2: Stir gently for 30 seconds until the cocktail is well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 3: Strain the mixture into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
- Step 4: Express the oils of 1 large strip of orange peel over the drink by twisting it, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1 cinnamon stick standing upright and serve.
