Posted November 14, 2019

The Best Apple Cider Cocktails

Eat + Drink

Step away from the hot buttered rum and don’t even think about mulling that wine. Not until you’ve tried the apple cider cocktail recipes we’ve put together for your fall and Thanksgiving festivities. See how our bartenders make apple cider, the indisputable superstar of autumn beverages, even more super with their seasonal spins on this all-time favorite.

Nana’s Orchard

Henley – Nashville, TN

Lead bartender Ben Rouse’s creation was inspired by his Nana, who moved to Nashville and planted apple trees to remind her of her earlier home up north amid the orchards. She was also a huge fan of apple cider vinegar, which Ben incorporates into this easy-to-make twist on classic spiked cider.

Nana’s Orchard has a quarter ounce of apple cider vinegar, pear brandy, bourbon, and a little bit of lemon juice.

Ingredients

Directions


  • 1/4 ounce apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 ounce pear brandy
  • 1/4 ounce bourbon,
  • Dash of  lemon juice
  • Stir together
  • Serve over ice

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Spiced Cider

Brabo Brasserie – Alexandria, VA

When our amazing bartenders from Brabo talk, we listen. And drink. Especially when sweet and earthy long peppers are involved.

Ingredients

Directions


  • Apple Cider
  • Long Pepper
  • Star Anise
  • Cinnamon
  • Clove
  • Allspice
  • Brandy
  • Cinnamon Stick
  • Infuse apple cider is with long pepper, star anise, cinnamon, clove, and allspice
  • Spike with brandy
  • Served hot garnished with a whole cinnamon stick


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Appleseed Lane

Bambara Kitchen & Bar – Cambridge, MA

Lead Bartender Alex Wiegand uses apple cider vinegar in a shrub to flavor this cocktail. This beverage makes it’s delicious debut on the restaurant’s new cocktail menu this fall.

Ingredients

Directions


  • 1 oz Pierre Ferrand 1840
  • .5 oz Copper & Kings gin
  • .75 oz Apple Shrub
  • .25 oz Allspice
  • .25 oz Licor 43
  • .5 oz Lemon
  • Rocks, Apple slice
  • Mix all ingredients together
  • Serve on the rocks with an apple slice

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Apple Shrub

Ingredients

Directions


  • 1 Apple
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp allspice
  • 5 Cinnamon sticks
  • Combine all ingredients in shaker, shake and double strain
  • Garnish with slice of apple and 6 dashes angostura bitters
  • With a mortar and pestle, grind allspice and cinnamon, combine with chopped apples and sugar
  • Let sit for 1 day
  • Add apple cider vinegar, let sit for one more day
  • Strain quart and label

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Shen Nong’s Elixir

Red Star Tavern – Portland, OR

The only thing better than a classic hot toddy is one inspired by the popular Chinese and Japanese tradition of pairing whiskey and tea. Head Bartender Brandon Lockman shares his recipe for this unique concoction.

Ingredients

Directions


  • 5 oz Rishi jasmine pearl tea, hot
  • 1 oz bourbon
  • 1 oz apple cider
  • .5 oz agave syrup
  • Combine all ingredients, stir
  • Top with hot water as needed

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Last Year’s Cider

Fisk & Co. – Chicago, IL

This year’s, last year’s or next year’s; we’ll take anything created by Bar Manager Melissa Carroll.

Ingredients

Directions


  • 1 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
  • 5 oz. Calvados
  • 5 oz. Allspice-Cinnamon-Nutmeg Syrup
  • Hot Apple Cider
  • Pour first three ingredients in Irish Coffee Mug and stir
  • Top with hot Apple Cider and stir
  • Garnish with apple fan

Allspice-Cinnamon-Nutmeg Syrup:

  • 2 Nutmeg Pods
  • 2 (3 inch) Cinnamon Sticks
  • 4 teaspoons Allspice
  • 16 fluid oz Water
  • Sugar

 

  • Put spices in pastry bag and hammer into pieces
  • Toast off the spices
  • Add water
  • Measure remaining liquid, and add an equal amount of sugar
  • Stir until combined

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One Comment

  1. Stephanie says:
    November 30, 2019 at 4:14 pm

    5 oz. of syrup in the Last Year’s Cider recipe? Is that a typo or intentional?

    Reply

Posted November 14, 2019

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Susan McDowell

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