Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon Recipe, Photo by Jennifer Davick

Labor Day is almost here, and we’d like to make a toast your hard work with a tasty bourbon cocktail. In the September issue of Southern Living, we show you how to upgrade a so-so bourbon into a top-shelf indulgence by infusing it with the All-American flavor of apple pie. As an added long-weekend bonus, we’ve developed a trio of Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon cocktails for you to enjoy over the holiday. One for ladies, one for gents, and one to serve a crowd. So, if you haven’t made the bourbon yet, do it today so it’ll be ready for the festivities.

The cocktails right after testing / From left to right: Ladies First; Bourbon-Apple Punch; A Southern Gentleman.

Ladies First
Muddle 1 (2-inch) orange rind strip and 1 tsp. turbinado sugar together in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice cubes, and add 3 Tbsp. Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon, 1/3 cup fresh orange juice. Cover with lid and shake thoroughly until well chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a 10-oz. glass filled with ice cubes and top with a splash club soda. Garnish with orange rind strip.

Bourbon-Apple Punch
Combine 1 (25.4-oz.) bottle chilled sparkling apple-pomegrante juice, 1/2 cup Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon, and 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice in a large pitcher. Serve over ice cubes. Garnish with lime slices and fresh mint leaves.

A Southern Gentleman
Muddle 2 (1/4-inch) slices fresh ginger, 1 (2-inch) lemon rind strip, 1 tsp. turbinado sugar together in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice cubes, and add 3 Tbsp. Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon. Cover with lid and shake thoroughly until well chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a 10-oz. glass filled with ice cubes and top with 1/4 cup ginger ale. Garnish with lemon rind strip.