Name: Christmas Apple Cider Cocktail
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: ½ Honeycrisp apple (or any crisp, sweet-tart variety); 2 oz apple whiskey (Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple or similar); ⅓ cup apple cider (preferably fresh and lightly tart); 1 fresh rosemary sprig; Crushed ice; a cinnamon stick; a few pomegranate arils; a splash of sparkling cider or ginger beer

Meet your new favorite Christmas apple cider cocktail – a simple mix that feels elegant enough for a holiday party yet cozy enough for a night by the Christmas tree. This drink brings together smooth apple whiskey, crisp cider, and the scent of fresh rosemary for a festive sip that tastes like Christmas in a glass. It’s quick to make, beautiful to serve, and guaranteed to earn a few “what’s in this?” compliments.

A glass of iced Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail garnished with apple chunks, a rosemary sprig, and an apple slice; whole and sliced red apples rest on a wooden surface beside the glass.

What you need

Makes: 1 cocktail
Hands-on time: About 10 minutes

½ Honeycrisp apple (or any crisp, sweet-tart variety)
2 oz apple whiskey (Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple or similar)
⅓ cup apple cider, preferably fresh and lightly tart
1 fresh rosemary sprig
Crushed ice

Optional but lovely holiday touch: a cinnamon stick, a few pomegranate arils, or a splash of sparkling cider or ginger beer.

A red apple, a sprig of rosemary, a knife, a clear glass, a small bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple whiskey, and a jug of apple cider are arranged on the counter—perfect for crafting an Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail.

Quick prep tips

Keep it crisp: Drop your apple cubes and slices into cold water with a squeeze of lemon to keep them from browning.
Wake up the rosemary: Smack the sprig between your palms to release its aroma – or lightly singe the tip with a lighter for a smoky, festive scent.
Taste your cider: If it’s on the sweeter side, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of bitters when mixing to balance the flavors.

A glass filled with diced red and white apples, garnished with a rosemary sprig and apple slice, sits on a grey wooden surface—an inviting Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail with whole and sliced apples in the background.

Step-by-step

Dice the apple: Cut the half apple into small cubes. Save one thin slice for garnish.

A black cutting board with diced and sliced red apple, a knife, half an apple, a small bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, honey, and all the essentials for crafting an Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail on a white surface.

Fill the glass: Add a scoop of crushed ice and scatter in the diced apple for a pretty, fruity base.

A glass filled with ice and diced apple pieces sits on a black cutting board, surrounded by a halved apple, several apple slices, and a carton of apple juice—perfect for crafting an Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail.

Pour and stir: Measure in the apple whiskey, top with cider, and stir gently. If your cider is sweet, add ¼ oz lemon juice or two dashes of bitters.

A glass filled with chopped apples and an Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail sits on a black cutting board, surrounded by sliced and halved apples. A bottle of apple cider is in the background.

Garnish: Tuck the apple slice along the glass and slide in the rosemary sprig.

A glass filled with chopped red and green apples, garnished with a rosemary sprig, sits on a wooden surface next to a whole red apple and several apple slices—perfect for serving an Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail.

Make It Merry

Add sparkle: Top with an ounce of ginger beer or sparkling apple cider for bubbly holiday flair.
Sweet twist: Stir in ½ oz maple syrup and a pinch of flaky salt for a dessert-style cocktail.
Party pitcher: For eight servings, mix 16 oz whiskey, 2 cups cider, 8 dashes bitters, and 4 rosemary sprigs in a pitcher. Chill for up to 4 hours. Pour 4 oz per glass over ice and fresh apple pieces.

A glass of Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail garnished with diced red apples and a sprig of rosemary, with a whole red apple and apple slices arranged on a gray wooden surface.

This Christmas apple cider cocktail is effortless yet full of cozy holiday charm – perfect for Christmas Eve, your holiday dinner party, or a festive night in with friends. Snap a photo, clink glasses, and toast to the sparkle of the season. Cheers!

A glass of Christmas Apple Cider Cocktail featuring whiskey, garnished with chopped apples, an apple slice, and rosemary. Text reads: Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail and 10-Minute Holiday Drink. Apples are visible beside the glass.

A glass filled with golden Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail, topped with chopped red apple pieces and garnished with a fresh rosemary sprig. A red apple and an apple slice are beside the glass on a gray wooden surface.

Print Recipe