If you want the taste of fall dessert in a glass, then you’ll love this apple pie cocktail! I make mine with warm Crown apple whiskey, creamy RumChata with a hint of cinnamon (and a la mode notes), and apple cider to add seasonal flair. It’s easy to make, super customizable, and always delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tastes Like Apple Pie! Warm apple and cinnamon flavors bring all the cozy flavors of the classic dessert to your glass
- Perfect For Fall. It’s a festive choice for crisp autumn evenings, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving, and beyond
- Easy To Make. Simple ingredients come together quickly for a delicious seasonal cocktail
- Dessert In A Glass. It satisfies those apple pie cravings in cocktail form!
- Cozy And Comforting. Apple and warm spices make this especially inviting as the weather cools down
- Great For Entertaining. It’s easy to mix up for fall gatherings and holiday parties
- Easy To Customize. Adjust the sweetness or add extra cinnamon and apple flavors to make it your own!
- Beautiful Presentation. An apple slice, cinnamon stick, or sugared rim makes this cocktail feel extra special
- Perfect For Thanksgiving! The familiar apple and spice flavors fit naturally alongside a festive holiday meal
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 2 ounces Crown Royal apple whisky
- 2 ounce RumChata
- 3 ounces fresh apple cider (or more to taste)
Cinnamon Sugar Rim (Optional)
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (or apple pie spice)
- 1 Tbsp honey or caramel syrup
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of Crown apple whiskey, you could use apple vodka or vanilla vodka instead (caramel works lovely as well for a nice variation)
- The Rumchata adds both a creamy and a cinnamon element. You can swap it for 1 ounce of Fireball (or a similar cinnamon liqueur) and 1 ounce of heavy cream or half and half if you want the creamy element (and in this case, I’d use vanilla vodka or a vanilla syrup for flavor as well)
- Apple cider can be swapped for apple juice if preferred, but I like the spiced notes that cider provides better
- For a bubbly finish, top with a splash of ginger beer or ginger ale!
Step By Step Instructions
- To rim your glass (optional), dip the rim into a plate or shallow bowl with the honey or caramel syrup and turn to coat. Then, dip the wet edge into another plate or bowl lined with the cinnamon sugar mixture and turn until evenly coated
- Fill your glass with ice. Add all drink ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with another handful of ice
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into your prepared glass. Cream liqueurs like RumChata naturally separate over time, only shake when ready to serve, and be prepared to stir and re-mix periodically as needed
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, slice of apple, dusting of cinnamon, or some star anise if desired (all optional) and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Apple pie cocktails bring warm apple and cinnamon flavors with a cozy dessert-like quality, so they pair especially well with savory fall foods, salty appetizers, and classic holiday dishes!
Appetizers & Snacks
- Cheese Board: Sharp cheddar, gouda, and other savory cheeses provide a delicious contrast to the sweet apple flavors
- Baked Brie: Creamy cheese and warm apple spice make an especially cozy combination. My Cranberry Baked Brie is a great seasonal choice!
- Spiced Nuts: Salty, crunchy nuts balance the sweetness while complementing the cinnamon
- Pretzels: Their salty flavor and chewy crunch are a simple but effective match
Savory Mains
- Pork Chops: Apple and pork are a classic combination, making this a natural pairing!
- Roast Turkey: The warm apple and spice flavors fit beautifully alongside a Thanksgiving-style turkey dinner. Try any of my Air Fryer Turkey Recipes for great options!
- Glazed Ham: Salty, savory ham complements the cocktail’s sweetness
- Roast Chicken: A simple herb-roasted chicken lets the apple and cinnamon flavors stand out
Fall Favorites
- Stuffing: Savory herbs and hearty bread provide a nice contrast to the dessert-like cocktail
- Sweet Potato Casserole: The warm, earthy sweetness works naturally with apple and cinnamon
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Their caramelized, savory flavor keeps the pairing from becoming too sweet. Try any of my creative Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipes!
- Butternut Squash: Its earthy sweetness complements the cozy fall flavors without overpowering the drink. My Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipes are the perfect complement!
Desserts
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a simple pairing that echoes the creamy, comforting side of apple pie!
- Caramel Cheesecake: Rich caramel and creamy cheesecake complement the apple and cinnamon flavors
- Cinnamon Donuts: Warm cinnamon and soft, doughy texture make these especially good for fall gatherings.
- Pecan Pie: Nutty, buttery flavors pair beautifully with the warm spice in the cocktail. For a no bake alternative, try my Pecan Pie Dip instead!
Recipe FAQs
What Is An Apple Pie Cocktail?
An apple pie cocktail is a fall-inspired alcoholic drink that combines apple and warm spice flavors, featuring apple cider, cinnamon notes, and base spirit such as vodka, whiskey, or rum. It’s essentially the cozy flavor of apple pie in cocktail form!
What Alcohol Is Good In Apple Pie?
Whiskey, bourbon, rum, and vodka all work well with apple pie flavors. Whiskey and bourbon add warm, oaky notes, while rum brings a little extra sweetness and vodka keeps the drink’s apple and cinnamon flavors front and center.
Can I Make This Drink A Mocktail?
Yes! Simply replace the vodka with a nonalcoholic alternative or leave it out and add a little extra apple cider or sparkling water instead. Use a little cinnamon syrup and a splash of cream for that cozy apple pie taste without the alcohol!
Tips For the Best Apple Pie Cocktail
- I don’t think this drink needs any additional sweetener personally, but if you’d like more, add some honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup to taste. For less sweetness, add a bit of lemon juice for tartness, or cut with unsweetened sparkling water (plain, apple, or ginger flavored work well)
- For a stronger drink, add more whiskey (or your base spirit of choice). For a weaker drink, reduce the whiskey and add a little more cider to compensate
Serving and Make Ahead
Serving Tips
- Serve Chilled: Chill the ingredients before mixing, then serve over plenty of ice for the best flavor!
- Use Festive Glassware: Rocks glasses, coupe glasses, or stemless wine glasses all work well depending on your preferred style
Make Ahead Tips
- Make The Base Ahead: Scale for desired servings and combine ingredients several hours ahead (except any carbonated elements you want to add) and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve
- Wait To Add Bubbles: If your version includes sparkling water, soda, or another carbonated ingredient, add it just before serving so it stays fizzy!
- Don’t Add Ice To The Batch: Keep the cocktail mixture chilled without ice, then pour individual servings over fresh ice to prevent dilution
- Crown Apple Whiskey Sour
- Crown Apple Sangria
Final Thoughts
This easy apple pie cocktail is one of my favorite fall cocktails! It tastes like a piece of apple pie a la mode, yet only has a few ingredients so it’s quick and easy to make. It’s great for entertaining since it comes together so quickly, great for Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
It’s also super customizable, as you can swap in different base liquors and other ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand. It’s dessert in a glass, and perfect for fall.
Katie’s tip
For more great options featuring this autumnal Crown Royal flavor, check out all of my Crown Apple Drink Recipes!
Easy Apple Pie Cocktail Recipe (With Whiskey)
Servings: 1
This apple pie cocktail features Crown Regal apple whisky, RumChata for cinnamon flavor and a la mode vibes, and fresh cider. Serve with a cinnamon sugar rim for extra fun!
Equipment
- Shaker (or similar)
- Rocks glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Crown Royal apple whisky
- 2 ounces Rumchata
- 3 ounces apple cider (or to taste)
- Ice cubes
Cinnamon Sugar Rim (Optional)
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- 1 Tbsp honey or caramel syrup
Instructions
- To rim your glass (optional), dip the rim into a plate or shallow bowl with the honey or caramel syrup and turn to coat. Then, dip the wet edge into another plate or bowl lined with the cinnamon sugar mixture and turn until evenly coated2 Tbsp granulated sugar, 1 Tbsp honey or caramel syrup, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- Fill your glass with ice. Add all drink ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with another handful of ice2 ounces Crown Royal apple whisky, 2 ounces Rumchata, Ice cubes, 3 ounces apple cider
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into your prepared glass
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, slice of apple, dusting of cinnamon, or some star anise if desired (all optional) and enjoy!
Cream liqueurs like RumChata naturally separate over time, so only shake when ready to serve, and be prepared to stir and re-mix periodically as needed
Notes
- Instead of Crown apple whiskey, you could use apple or vanilla vodka, or vanilla Crown instead (caramel whiskey or vodka works as well for a nice variation)
- The Rumchata adds both a creamy “a la mode” and a cinnamon element. You can swap it for 1 ounce of Fireball (or a similar cinnamon liqueur) and 1 ounce of heavy cream or half and half if you want the creamy element (and in this case, I’d opt for vanilla vodka or a vanilla syrup for flavor as well)
- Apple cider can be swapped for apple juice if preferred, but the spiced notes that cider provides are a bit more suitable for this recipe
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 209g | Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 1.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 46.6IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg
