I’m sharing my Apple Cinnamon Whiskey Cocktail with vanilla vodka, Fireball whiskey, and organic apple juice finished with a sugared rim and cinnamon stick, and there’s a surprising finishing touch you’ll have to read on to find.

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I stumbled onto this Apple Pie on the Rocks and couldn’t stop thinking about it. It hits like a sly, familiar thing — tastes like a pie but in a glass, and somehow makes you want to sip slowly.

I always reach for good vanilla vodka because it actually changes everything, and I drop a cinnamon stick in for the smell and drama. Folks might call it an Apple Fireball Drink but mine isn’t trying too hard, it just flirts with your cozy side then surprises you.

If you like Fall Boozy Drinks that feel clever not cloying, this one will make you curious.

Ingredients

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Vanilla vodka adds sweet aromatics and smooth alcohol, mostly empty calories.
Fireball whisky brings fiery cinnamon spice and sweetness, adds calories and sugar.
Apple cider offers natural sugars, vitamin C traces and some fiber if unfiltered.
Lemon juice adds bright acidity, lowers sweetness and gives small vitamin C boost.
Sugared rim gives crunch and extra sweetness, adds carbs not much nutrition.
Ice chills and dilutes slightly, helps balance strength but no nutrients.
Cinnamon stick adds aroma, apple slice looks pretty and gives tiny fiber if eaten.

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz vanilla vodka (use a good one, it really matters)

1 oz Fireball cinnamon whisky

3 oz organic apple juice or unfiltered apple cider

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice (a little brightness, optional but nice)

1 tbsp granulated sugar + 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon for the sugared rim

Ice cubes (for serving on the rocks)

Cinnamon stick for garnish

Thin apple slice for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Mix 1 tablespoon granulated sugar with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon on a small plate for the sugared rim.

2. Moisten the rim of a rocks glass with a little of the fresh lemon juice or a splash of apple juice, then dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar so it sticks.

3. Fill the glass with ice cubes about three quarters full.

4. Pour in 2 oz vanilla vodka, use a good one, it really matters for the flavor.

5. Add 1 oz Fireball cinnamon whisky.

6. Pour 3 oz organic apple juice or unfiltered apple cider on top.

7. Add 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice for brightness, then give everything a gentle stir so it mixes but dont over dilute it.

8. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a thin apple slice if you like, drop the cinnamon stick in the glass so it smells nice while you sip.

9. Taste and adjust quickly if needed a touch more apple juice for sweetness or a little more Fireball for heat, but remember its meant to be cozy not burning.

Equipment Needed

1. Small plate — for mixing the cinnamon sugar and rimming the glass
2. Jigger or liquid measuring tool (2 oz, 1 oz, 1/2 oz)
3. Measuring spoons (1 tbsp and 1/4 tsp)
4. Rocks glass (the serving glass)
5. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer for the lemon juice
6. Bar spoon or long teaspoon for a gentle stir
7. Paring knife and small cutting board for the apple slice
8. Ice tongs or scoop to fill the glass with ice

FAQ

Can I make this non alcoholic? Yes, swap the 2 oz vanilla vodka and 1 oz Fireball for 3 oz extra apple cider plus 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 tsp cinnamon syrup or a splash of cinnamon simple syrup. Chill well and serve on the rocks, it still tastes like apple pie but without the booze.

Apple juice or unfiltered cider which is better? Both work, but unfiltered apple cider gives a richer, fresher apple flavor while clear apple juice makes it lighter and sweeter. If you use very sweet juice cut back on the sugared rim a bit.

Should I shake this or just build it on the rocks? Traditionally you build it on the rocks: add ice, pour vodka, Fireball, apple juice and lemon, stir gently. If you want it colder and a bit frothy, shake with ice then strain over fresh ice — either way is fine.

How do I get a perfect sugared rim? Mix the sugar and cinnamon on a small plate. Rub a lemon wedge or apple slice around the glass rim to moisten, then dip rim into the sugar mix and press lightly. Do it right before serving so the sugar stays crunchy.

Can I make this ahead of time? You can premix the alcohol and apple juice and keep it in the fridge up to 48 hours, but don’t rim or add ice until serving. Fresh lemon and garnishes are best added last, they wilt or turn brown if left too long.

What vodka should I use and any quick swap tips? Use a good quality vanilla vodka, it really matters for the smooth flavor. If you only have plain vodka add 1/4 tsp vanilla extract per drink. If you don’t like Fireball try a smaller amount of plain cinnamon syrup for gentler heat.

Apple Pie On The Rocks Recipe Substitutions and Variations

vanilla vodka: dont worry if you dont have it, use good plain vodka + 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract or 1/2 oz vanilla liqueur like Licor 43 for the vanilla note
Fireball cinnamon whisky: swap for a spiced rum (eg Sailor Jerry) or 1 oz bourbon + 1/4 oz cinnamon syrup if you want a less candy, more grown up warmth
organic apple juice or unfiltered apple cider: use unfiltered pear juice for a softer fruit note, or 2 oz apple cider + 1 oz sparkling water for a lighter, fizzy version
sugared rim (granulated sugar + ground cinnamon): use brown sugar + cinnamon or coarse demerara or maple sugar for deeper caramel flavor, wet the rim with lemon or apple first so it sticks better

Pro Tips

– Use a good vanilla vodka or boost what you have: split a vanilla bean, scrape the seeds into a jar of vodka and let it sit 24 to 48 hours for real vanilla depth. It makes the cocktail taste smoother and less one-note.

– Make the sugared rim fine and sticky: pulse the granulated sugar with the cinnamon in a blender or food processor so the grains are finer, and pat the rim on (don’t drag) after moistening it so the mix clings evenly.

– Control dilution and temperature: chill your glass and keep the alcohol and juice cold ahead of time. Use one large ice cube or a couple big cubes instead of lots of small ones so the drink stays colder longer without getting watery fast.

– Tune the sweet vs spicy balance by tasting once mixed: if it’s too sweet, a tiny splash of lemon or a quick stir with a small pinch of sea salt brightens and evens flavors; if it needs more warmth add just a little more cinnamon whisky, not a ton, so it stays cozy not harsh.

Apple Pie On The Rocks Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

320

kcal

Equipment: 1. Small plate — for mixing the cinnamon sugar and rimming the glass
2. Jigger or liquid measuring tool (2 oz, 1 oz, 1/2 oz)
3. Measuring spoons (1 tbsp and 1/4 tsp)
4. Rocks glass (the serving glass)
5. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer for the lemon juice
6. Bar spoon or long teaspoon for a gentle stir
7. Paring knife and small cutting board for the apple slice
8. Ice tongs or scoop to fill the glass with ice

Ingredients

2 oz vanilla vodka (use a good one, it really matters)
1 oz Fireball cinnamon whisky
3 oz organic apple juice or unfiltered apple cider
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice (a little brightness, optional but nice)
1 tbsp granulated sugar + 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon for the sugared rim
Ice cubes (for serving on the rocks)
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Thin apple slice for garnish (optional)

Directions

Mix 1 tablespoon granulated sugar with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon on a small plate for the sugared rim.
Moisten the rim of a rocks glass with a little of the fresh lemon juice or a splash of apple juice, then dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar so it sticks.
Fill the glass with ice cubes about three quarters full.
Pour in 2 oz vanilla vodka, use a good one, it really matters for the flavor.
Add 1 oz Fireball cinnamon whisky.
Pour 3 oz organic apple juice or unfiltered apple cider on top.
Add 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice for brightness, then give everything a gentle stir so it mixes but dont over dilute it.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a thin apple slice if you like, drop the cinnamon stick in the glass so it smells nice while you sip.
Taste and adjust quickly if needed a touch more apple juice for sweetness or a little more Fireball for heat, but remember its meant to be cozy not burning.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.