Description
A versatile, crowd-pleasing fall cocktail featuring a homemade spiced syrup, amber ale, and optional bourbon. It captures the essence of autumn with warm spices and malty sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon allspice berries
- 1 pod star anise
- 1 large strip orange peel
- 1 cup apple cider
- 12 oz amber ale or Märzen per serving
- 1.5 oz bourbon or whiskey (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Orange wheels for garnish
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish
- Fresh nutmeg for garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, star anise, and orange peel.
- Heat over medium-high, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes).
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Remove from heat and stir in apple cider.
- Let the mixture steep in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a jar, discarding solids.
- Let syrup cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.
- To assemble, fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in bourbon (if using) and 2 oz of the spiced syrup.
- Top with 12 oz of chilled amber ale.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with an orange wheel, cinnamon stick, and fresh nutmeg.
Notes
The spiced syrup can be made up to two weeks in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Use cold beer for the best flavor. Avoid IPAs as they are too hoppy. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute beer with ginger ale and sparkling water.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18
- Carbohydrates: 22
Keywords: Oktoberfest, beer cocktail, fall drinks, spiced syrup, amber ale, bourbon cocktail, autumn recipes, party drinks