Apple Bourbon Smash Recipe – Thanksgiving Cocktail
Introduction
Looking for a festive, flavor-packed cocktail to elevate your Thanksgiving gathering? The Apple Bourbon Smash is the answer—a refreshing blend of tart apples, warming bourbon, zesty citrus, and fragrant herbs. With autumn-inspired notes and a crowd-pleasing presentation, it’s the perfect signature drink that complements the rich, savory flavors of a Thanksgiving meal.
Why the Apple Bourbon Smash is a Thanksgiving Winner
What sets the Apple Bourbon Smash apart is its delightful mix of seasonal apples, bold bourbon, and a hint of sweet maple that brings the flavors of fall straight to your glass. The addition of fresh lemon and a sprig of rosemary or thyme adds complexity and a bright finish. Easy to make in batches, it lets you spend more time with guests and less time mixing drinks.
Crafting the Perfect Thanksgiving Cocktail
The key to an outstanding Apple Bourbon Smash is fresh ingredients. Use crisp apple slices and real maple syrup for the best flavor. Muddling the apples with lemon and syrup releases their juices and aromas, infusing the drink with an unmistakable freshness. Top with a splash of sparkling water for a lively finish, and garnish with aromatic herbs for an impressive touch.
Assembling Your Apple Bourbon Smash
Prepare your serving glasses with ice before mixing. Muddle apple slices, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a shaker to extract all the flavors. Add bourbon and ice, shake vigorously to chill, then strain into glasses. Finish with a splash of sparkling water and fresh rosemary or thyme to elevate the aroma and presentation—ideal for your holiday toast!
Serving Suggestions for Apple Bourbon Smash
Serve this cocktail in lowball or rocks glasses, garnished with a thin apple slice and a fragrant herb sprig. Pair with Thanksgiving appetizers like roasted nuts, sharp cheeses, or spiced snack mixes. For a beautiful tablescape, offer the Apple Bourbon Smash as a welcome drink that sets the tone for a cozy, celebratory evening.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe makes 2 generous cocktails, each containing approximately 180–200 calories (depending on bourbon and maple syrup brands used). All ingredients are naturally gluten-free—just use care if you add any flavored mixers.
Why the Apple Bourbon Smash Stands Out (Recap)
Bold bourbon, crisp apple, and pure maple syrup come together in this Apple Bourbon Smash, creating a Thanksgiving cocktail that’s as easy to make as it is impressive to serve. Its seasonal flavors and eye-catching presentation make it a winner at any holiday feast.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to generate an organized shopping list with all your cocktail and Thanksgiving ingredients sorted by store section—ideal for stress-free holiday grocery runs and seamless meal planning.
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add apple slices and maple syrup. Muddle until the apples are well crushed and juices released.
- Add the fresh lemon juice and bourbon to the shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into two rocks glasses filled with fresh ice. Top each glass with sparkling water and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a rosemary or thyme sprig and an optional apple slice or lemon wheel for an extra festive touch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Thanksgiving toast!
Weekly Meal Planning
This Apple Bourbon Smash isn’t just for Thanksgiving. It’s versatile enough for any fall dinner party, Friendsgiving, or weekend happy hour. Save and schedule this recipe with the rest of your week’s meal plan, and CookifyAI will automatically add the ingredients to your shopping list—making coordination across multiple recipes effortless.
Planning Benefits:
- Calculates total ingredient quantities so you know exactly how many apples or lemons you’ll need for food and drinks
- Organizes your shopping list by store department for maximum efficiency
- Prevents duplicate purchases when multiple recipes call for the same base ingredients
- Eases the stress of holiday hosting with seamless meal and cocktail planning
Pro tip: Planning more than one holiday gathering? Schedule your recipes across the week to let CookifyAI consolidate all your menus and ingredients, minimizing food waste and ensuring you never forget that essential sprig of rosemary!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: none
Total Time: 10 minutes