I’m welcoming one and all to this mid-October Saturday night with my favorite eerie cocktail yet…Nightmare on Bourbon Street. Fresh apple cider, sweet maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, a generous shot of bourbon, and a splash of hard (Honeycrisp) apple cider. This haunted concoction is sweet, spiced, and so warming. Therefore it’s the perfect cocktail to cozy up to on a haunted night this Hallows Eve.

Sometimes I wonder if I take these Halloween cocktails a step too far? But then, I stop myself, Halloween is all about having fun and never taking anything too seriously. It’s about dressing up and being someone (or something) completely different for a day. It’s the one day of the year we all have an excuse to loosen up and pretend we’re someone we’re not. That can be a hard thing for me to do, but when it comes to Halloween, I’m a pro at it.

The thing I love most about Halloween? It allows everyone, no matter your age, to take the day to be a kid again. But, the fun thing about being an adult celebrating Halloween?

The cocktails…of course!

Which brings right into today’s hauntedly delicious drink. It’s kind of like a bourbon smash, but a level up with the addition of warming ginger and cinnamon, and made fizzy with a sweet sparkling hard cider. This one is simple, but it’s one of my favorites.

Nightmare on Bourbon Street | halfbakedharvest.com

The quick details.

This Nightmare on Bourbon Street is a mix up of bourbon, a splash of lemon, apple cider, maple syrup, ginger, and cinnamon..all shaken up and poured over ice. Top each drink off with sparkling hard cider. It’s all things fall and incredibly delicious. Just a little sweet, with apple and cinnamon flavors throughout, and made extra fizzy with a sparkling hard cider. It’s warming and cozy. The perfect easy cocktail to make from today through Halloween night, which crazy enough is two weeks from today.

For the hard cider, I used a local Colorado cider made with Honeycrisp apples. Just be sure to find something that isn’t loaded with additional sugar. You don’t want it to be overly sweet. And then, make sure it’s a sparkling cider. You’ve got to have some bubbles with this drink. They’re unexpected and delicious.

I made this as both a single cocktail…best for when you’re in need of a quick drink to mix up while watching your favorite Halloween movies. And also as a punch style drink. I know we’re not having huge Halloween parties this year, but even small get-togethers need a good party punch, you know? This is that punch you need.

Nightmare on Bourbon Street | halfbakedharvest.com

In true Cocktail Saturday form, I’m keeping this short and sweet. Hoping you guys all love this spooky Nightmare on Bourbon Street.

A Saturday night Nightmare on Bourbon Street? Yes, yes, yes. This is certainly the perfect all-around moody cocktail fit for any October night. Maybe even enjoyed alongside yesterday’s pumpkin cupcakes?! A late-night nightcap made even better with a cupcake in hand…

And then you can mash…you can monster mash!

Sorry, had to do it. Enjoy!

PS. The glasses in these photos are classic Old Fashion Glasses. They’re surely the prettiest glasses to add a little bourbon to.

Nightmare on Bourbon Street | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other haunted Halloween drinks? Here are a few ideas: 

Sleepy Hollow Cocktail

Pumpkin Patch Punch

Poison Apple Martini

Lastly, if you make this Nightmare on Bourbon Street. be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Print
4.29 from 84 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

Nightmare on Bourbon Street

A delicious, perfectly sweet, easy, spiced, and warming drink to cozy up to on a haunted Hallows Eve!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 218 kcal

Ingredients

  • cinnamon sugar, for rim (optional)
  • 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup apple cider
  • 1-2 teaspoons real maple syrup more or less to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 5 ounces sparkling hard Honeycrisp apple cider
  • cinnamon sticks, rosemary, and apple slices, for serving
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. 1. Rim a cocktail glass with cinnamon sugar. Fill with ice.

    2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, cider, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, and cinnamon, shake to combine. Strain into the prepared glass. Top with hard cider. Serve with cinnamon sticks, rosemary, and apple slices, if desired.

Print
4.42 from 63 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

Nightmare on Bourbon Street Punch

A delicious, perfectly sweet, easy, spiced, and warming drink to cozy up to on a haunted Hallows Eve!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 218 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups bourbon
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4-1/3 cup real maple syrup more or less to taste
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2-3 (12 ounce) bottles sparkling hard honeycrisp apple cider
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced
  • cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs, for serving
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. 1. In a large pitcher, combine the bourbon, cider, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, and cinnamon. Chill until ready to serve.

    2. Top with hard cider just before serving. Stir in the apple slices. Garnish each glass with rosemary and cinnamon, if desired.

Nightmare on Bourbon Street | halfbakedharvest.com