This Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise is made with bourbon, apple cider, and pomegranate simple syrup. This southern twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise is the perfect fall cocktail.
I have exciting news: it's apple cider season!
I started seeing apple cider in the grocery store about a week ago, and did a giddy little jig — I clapped my hands and everything.
People can stare if they want to; it's cider season and I don't care.
Apple cider is probably my favorite fruit drink on the planet. It's so earthy, so fruity, and such a great way to celebrate fall.
I buy apple cider obsessively from mid-September until it tragically begins to vanish from the market shelves in late November.
You can, of course, drink cider cold, poured straight from the bottle into your juice glass.
And I do. Don't stop there, though: heat it up, mull it, or turn it into a cocktail!
This Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise is a festively fall twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise, and is made with apple cider, bourbon, and pomegranate simple syrup.
Should I Make My Own Grenadine?
Guys, I have a confession: I've never liked grenadine.
Never, ever, ever — not even as a sugar-holic, processed food-loving pre-teen.
Someone offered me a Shirley Temple once, and I couldn't stop gagging.
Recently, however, I found out that you can make it yourself, and it is SO. MUCH. BETTER. At its most basic, grenadine is pomegranate juice and sugar.
To keep things simple, and because I already knew that I liked other fruity simple syrups, I used pomegranate juice, sugar, and nothing else for the grenadine in this Kentucky Sunrise.
Making an Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise
To make an Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise, start with the pomegranate simple syrup. Simply mix the juice and sugar together in a small pot, and heat until all the sugar is dissolved.
Set it aside to cool.
You'll also need crushed ice, so either hit a button on your refrigerator, put ice cubes in a blender, or hack away at a block of ice. Your choice.
Next, fill a highball glass (or a large martini glass) with crushed ice. Add the bourbon, and then fill the glass almost to the top with apple cider.
Pour the pomegranate simple syrup into the center of your cocktail, and don't stir it!!!
The syrup should sink to the bottom. If it's caught up in some of the ice, simply tap the glass gently on the counter to help it along.
Serve this fall-tastic cocktail right away, and congratulate yourself for making the most of apple cider season.
Want more FALL COCKTAIL ideas? Try these:
Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise
Ingredients
Pomegranate Simple Syrup (Grenadine):
- 1 cup pomegranate juice, no sugar added (Such as Pom Wonderful)
- 1 cup sugar
Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 4-6 ounces apple cider (non-alcoholic) OR sub unfiltered apple juice, amount depending on size of glass
- ½ ounce pomegranate simple syrup
- Garnish (optional)- orange slice
Instructions
- Make simple syrup by adding pomegranate juice and sugar to a pan. Bring to a boil, then simmer until all the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- Fill large martini or highball glass with crushed ice, then pour bourbon over ice. Add enough apple cider to cover the ice. Pour pomegranate syrup into center of glass-- do NOT stir. Syrup will sink to the bottom. Garnish with orange slice and serve immediately.
Kim @ Three Olives Branch says
Yum! Perfect for fall, great idea!
champagne-tastes says
Thanks Kim!
Platter Talk says
I grew up in the foothills of the Adirondack Mts. One thing that we looked forward to, every Fall was fresh pressed cider from a local mill. This dink sounds great. I'm with you, never cared for grenadine. Looking forward to trying your recipe. Thanks you.
champagne-tastes says
Oh man- fresh pressed apple cider is the BEST! Let me know if you try this-- the homemade grenadine tastes a bazillion times better 🙂
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
Wait, what? Online alcohol delivery service?! I mean, I'd have to be REALLY lazy to use it, seeing as how I walk right past a liquor store on the way home from work (one of the many, many perks to city living) but if I didn't have 3 liquor stores within walking distance, I'd be all over this! BRILLIANT! Fortunately, I'd NEVER run out of bourbon, though, so I could make this cocktail anytime. Except I never have apple cider - is there a delivery service for that? 😉
champagne-tastes says
Haha I know right!? It's brilliant! lol.. maybe Amazon can hook you up with cider. Lol
Shelley says
Wow! I didn't know grenadine was pomegranate, and this reminds me we have alcohol delivery here too and I've never done it.
champagne-tastes says
Yes!! Once I found that out.. I was so excited! Because I don't like the store bought kind at all!
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
Ha! Ha! Girl you are so funny. . .but so accurate. I was happily whipping up my Paleo chili when I flipped to this post and started to think to myself . . ."You know, self, I really could really use one. . .okay maybe two. . . of these Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrises but I just ran out of bourbon". In all seriousness, this is such a beautiful drink and I can't wait to use it to help get me into the fall spirit. My mind is still stuck in summer. 😉
champagne-tastes says
Lol..I know someone who could help you out with your bourbon shortage Lololol. I knowwww.. the weather is changing though- I feel it!
Just Jo says
I love that you can make your own grenadine - I must have a go at that. This is a perfect autumnal drink, I love the rusty orange and red colours it separates into 😀
champagne-tastes says
I'll never buy the store bought! (Not that I did anyway- ick lol)
champagne-tastes says
Awesome right!? I'll never buy the pre-made kind lol