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Cocktail History
The Apple Pie is an autumn cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. This light yet seasonal recipe uses whiskey as its base and adds warmth with allspice liqueur, honey, and a touch of vanilla. Then sparkling apple cider completes the drink, adding effervescence and crisp apple flavor that makes it ideal for autumn gatherings or holiday celebrations.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Bourbon: This is a type of whiskey made in the United States with at least 51% corn, grains, malted barley, and water. I used Buffalo Trace Distillery Benchmark Bourbon.
Honey Syrup: This is a sweetener made with honey and water. I used this stovetop recipe.
Allspice Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with allspice berries, spices, sugar, and rum. I used St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram.
Sparkling Apple Cider: This is a beverage made with apples and carbon dioxide. I used Monticello Sparkling Apple Cider.
Vanilla Extract: This is a flavoring made with vanilla beans, ethyl alcohol, and water. I used Simply Organic Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract.
Cinnamon Stick: This is a rolled and dried bark from the cinnamon tree. I used Simply Organic Cinnamon Sticks.
Apple: This is a red fruit with a mealy texture. I used a Honeycrisp apple.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.
Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Apple Corer: This is a kitchen tool with sharp blades arranged in a circular pattern and a handle that’s used to core and slice an apple into uniform wedges with a single press. I used the OXO Good Grips Apple Corer, Slicer, & Divider.
Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for mixed drinks with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers. I used the Viski Admiral Highball Glass.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-01-15.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Golden brown or amber color
• Aroma: Ripe apples and baking spices
• Taste: Bright and effervescent apple cider mixed with spicy whiskey notes, sweet honey, and hints of cinnamon and cloves
• Finish: Lingering baking spices
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “This cocktail is a pretty good interpretation of apple pie in drink form as far as flavors go. I did have two qualms with it, and that’s why I rated it three stars. First, the honey, even in syrup form, sunk right to the bottom, so I had to keep stirring; otherwise, I got a mouthful of honey through my straw. Second, the recipe isn’t very complex. I think it would benefit from maple or an amaro of some sort to kick it up another notch. As is, it’s seasonally appropriate, and most people would like it. I just wanted a bit more from the Apple Pie.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season by Jessica Strand.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-01-14.
Apple Pie
The Apple Pie is an autumn cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. It’s a simple highball recipe that mixes whiskey, allspice liqueur, honey, and vanilla with sparkling apple cider to create an effervescent drink that’s seasonal but still light.
Ingredients
Method
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Add whiskey, honey syrup, allspice liqueur, vanilla extract, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a highball glass over fresh cubed ice.
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Top with sparkling apple cider.
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Stir for 3-5 seconds.
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Garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slice.
