Fireball and Apple Cider ~ Food Buddy

This Fireball and apple cider cocktail combines cinnamon whisky with fresh apple cider for a delicious fall drink. Ready in just 2 minutes with 2 main ingredients!

Want an easy cocktail that’s perfect for chilly weather? Try Fireball and apple cider! The first time I mixed these two together, I expected something decent but predictable. But what I got surprised me: the spicy cinnamon blends seamlessly with tangy sweet cider. It blew me away!

This combination was made to be. Fireball whisky might have a college dorm reputation, but mix it up just right and it tastes like a sophisticated craft cocktail perfect for fall and winter. It’s a drink that makes people say, “Wait, what’s in this?”

Why Fireball and apple cider work well together

Fireball whisky might conjure up thoughts of doing shots in college bars. But like Jagermeister, it actually makes a great drink when you mix it up appropriately!

Fireball brings an intense candy-like cinnamon flavor that’s tamed by the natural sweet tart cider. I like to add a splash of lemon juice, which brightens everything and adds another dimension.

I’ve tested this recipe several times and if you’re serving it cold, the 2:3 ratio of Fireball to cider hits the sweet spot where you taste both components equally.

You can also make it warm, where you’ll use more cider. Go to my Spiked Cider recipe.

Choosing your apple cider

There are a few different types of apple cider you can find at the store. When pairing Fireball and apple cider, I suggest finding unfiltered cider for its vibrant color and flavor. Pasteurized is preferable too. Here are the differences:

Unfiltered vs filtered: Unfiltered cider contains the pulp and sediment; filtered is clear and light in color, basically like apple juice. Choose unfiltered for the best flavor and color for this drink.
Pasteurized vs unpasteurized: Pasteurizing apple cider makes it more shelf stable. Unpasteurized cider can turn into hard cider or apple cider vinegar over time, so you should drink it within 2 weeks. Unpasteurized cider has more risk of bacteria, so I recommend pasteurized.

About Fireball whisky

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is a mix of Canadian whisky and cinnamon flavoring, developed in Canada in the 1980’s. Today it’s produced by the Sazerac Company (the same brand behind Peychaud’s bitters that features in the classic Sazerac cocktail).

Fireball whisky tastes very sweet, with a strong finish of cinnamon candy and spicy Canadian whisky. At 33% ABV, Fireball is technically not a whiskey at all (standard whiskey must be 40% ABV). It’s considered a flavored whiskey (like Peanut Butter Whiskey) or specialty distilled liquor.

If you’re curious about other ways to use Fireball, I’ve had success with a Fireball Old Fashioned and the popular Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot. Or check out my Quick Guide to Fireball Whiskey.

Pro tips for the perfect serve

This drink is as easy as they come: pour Fireball and apple cider into a glass with lemon juice, garnish and serve! Here a few tips for taking it over the top:

Use clear ice. With any lowball drink, using clear ice takes it over the top! Clear ice is crystal clear and melts more slowly than regular cloudy ice, which means your cocktail stays properly chilled. Go to my tutorial on How to Make Clear Ice.
Garnish with cinnamon stick! The look of this drink hides its cinnamon flavor, so it’s fun to add a garnish. Top it off with a cinnamon stick and a lemon peel, if desired!
Adjust to your preferences. If you prefer things sweeter, add an extra ounce of apple cider. Want more heat? Increase the Fireball slightly. I’ve found this recipe forgiving enough that you can customize it without ruining the fundamental balance.

Variation: warm Fireball and cider

Want a warm Fireball and apple cider cocktail? You have a few options:

Try my Spiked Apple Cider and substitute Fireball for bourbon
Try this Apple Cider Hot Toddy and substitute Fireball for whiskey. You also may want to decrease the honey since Fireball is sweeter than standard whiskey.