Winter Gift Recipe: Apple Spice Bourbon Infusion

Nancy Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
As a Senior Writer at Apartment Therapy, Nancy splits her time among looking at beautiful pictures, writing about design, and photographing stylish apartments in and around NYC. It’s not a bad gig.
updated Jun 5, 2019
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Credit: Apartment Therapy

Makes2 cups

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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Go ahead…start a new holiday tradition with this subtly sweet spiced bourbon.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

It’s cold. And when I think of a liquor that will warm you up, I think bourbon. (Although maybe that’s just because I love bourbon so much.) Add spices and apple and you’ve got a delicious little concoction that is perfect for wintry weather…and perfect for everyone on your list.

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Apple Spice Bourbon Infusion

Makes 2 cups

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons

    brown sugar

  • 3 tablespoons

    water

  • 1/2 cup

    apple juice (unfiltered)

  • 1

    apple, cored and cut into cubes

  • 1 teaspoon

    cinnamon

  • 12

    whole cloves

  • 1

    vanilla bean, split lengthwise

  • 1 1/2 cups

    bourbon

Instructions

  1. Add the sugar, water and apple juice to a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the sugar has melted. Add the apple, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla bean, and continue cooking until the apple just begins to caramelize. (The fruit will start to soften and brown slightly.) Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool, add the apple mixture to a sealable glass jar. Add the bourbon, and then store in a cool, dark place for 24 hours, shaking occasionally. (You can infuse the bourbon for up to 2 days if you desire a stronger spice flavor). Once the infusion is complete, shake one more time and then strain out the liquid. A tea strainer will work well for this - if you want to strain out the little bits, you can strain a second time with a coffee filter. This recipe makes 2 cups, just enough to fill a pint-sized mason jar.

  2. And once you've created your infusion, you're ready for...

  3. The Spicy Bourbon Ginger
    Add ice to a glass. Fill a little more than halfway with the bourbon infusion. Top with ginger ale and stir.

I can’t think of enough good things to say about this drink. In fact, I am enjoying one as we speak. It’s like a boozy gingerbread cookie in a glass – and booze and gingerbread are two of my favorite things. And really, the possibilities for this infusion are endless. Although I have not tried this yet, I imagine it would be fantastic added to a hot cider. I also imagine that you will find many, many other uses for it. Happy gifting!

Nancy Mitchell is giving bourbon to everyone on her list. You can find more of her recipes on her blog, The Backyard Bartender.

(Images: Nancy Mitchell)

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