Some drinks don’t just taste seasonal—they feel seasonal. The Smoked Apple Bourbon Smash is one of them. Fresh apple, good bourbon, and a soft hint of smoke come together in a way that immediately suits cold evenings.
It’s warming but never heavy, aromatic without tipping into sweetness, and it has the kind of presence that fits right in with the richer flavors of the colder months.
Bourbon cocktails built around fruit usually show up in warm weather, but apple changes the conversation. It brings crispness and a clean sort of depth that works beautifully once the temperature drops. Introduce a touch of smoke—measured, not theatrical—and the whole drink opens up. You get bright apple first, then the steady warmth of the whiskey, and finally a finish that hangs on just long enough to echo the glow of a good fire.
And if you’re building out a full menu of cold-weather drinks, this one plays beautifully alongside a few other favorites. The Smoky Maple Old Fashioned leans deeper and darker with its maple richness, while the Spiced Pear Collins brings a lighter, aromatic profile that still feels firmly seasonal. For something a bit sharper and fruit-forward, the Pomegranate Rosemary Martini adds a clean, jewel-toned contrast. Together they form a tight, winter-ready lineup that moves effortlessly from fireside sipping to holiday entertaining.
Here is the recipe!
Smoked Apple Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz maple syrup
- 2-3 thin apple slices
- Garnish: Apple slices & cinnamon stick
Optional Smoke Finish:
- Applewood chips or oak chips
- Smoking gun, torch, or quick smoke rinse method
Instructions
- Add the apple slices, lemon juice, and maple syrup to a shaker and muddle gently to release flavor.
- Add bourbon, apple cider, and ice.
- Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice (or pour everything in, rustic-style)
- Garnish with an apple slice and, if you like, a cinnamon stick.
- For a smoked finish: briefly trap applewood smoke under a dome or smoke-rinse the glass before pouring.
Nutrition
Why Lush Life Love it
This cocktail hits every seasonal note without drifting into dessert territory. The apple keeps the drink sharp and fresh, the bourbon provides depth, and the smoke adds aromatic complexity. It’s festive, luxurious, and grounded — the kind of drink that feels right at home beside a fireplace, a candlelit table, or a cold porch evening.