Humble Pie Cocktail Recipe
Humble Pie Cocktail Recipe

Humble Pie

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Cocktail History

The Humble Pie is an autumn cocktail that was created by bartender Sean Hoard in Portland and was first published in a 2021 issue of Imbibe magazine. Designed to echo the flavors of a classic apple pie filling, the recipe is a cozy, spiced twist that combines equal parts apple brandy and Scotch whisky to create a robust and warming base, while ginger syrup and brown sugar syrup lend a sweet and zesty dimension. Allspice liqueur and aromatic bitters also contribute some depth and holiday-inspired spice, while a hint of pepper provides a subtle, unexpected kick. The result is a perfectly balanced cocktail that captures the essence of autumn in every sip.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Apple Brandy: This is a type of brandy made with apples, pears, spices, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used Calvados.

Blended Scotch: This is a type of Scotch whisky that combines multiple single malt whiskies made with malted barley, yeast, and water. I used The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky.

Ginger Syrup: This is a sweetener made with ginger, white sugar, gum arabic powder, and water. I used this sous vide recipe.

Demerara Syrup: This is a sweetener made with demerara sugar 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.

Aromatic Bitters: This is a food product made with botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Angostura Aromatic Bitters.

Black Pepper: This is a spice made with dried and ground peppercorns. I used Simply Organic Whole Black Peppercorns.

Candied Ginger: This is a slice of dried ginger root that has been rolled in sugar.

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.

Mixing Glass: This is a sturdy, wide-bowled glass that’s used to stir ingredients before they’re strained and served. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Julep Strainer: This is a flat, perforated metal strainer with a handle that’s used to strain cocktails from a mixing glass or tin into a serving glass while keeping ice and solids behind. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the Prodyne Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.

Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving spirits neat or on the rocks. I used the Libbey Chisel Rocks Glass.

OXO SteeL Double Jigger
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
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Prodyne Stainless Steel & Pewter Martini Picks (Set Of 6), Silver
Prodyne Stainless Steel & Pewter Martini Picks (Set Of 6), Silver
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$16.37 Amazon Prime

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 2025-02-14.

Humble Pie Cocktail Recipe

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

Appearance: Orange-brown color

• Aroma: Apple and Scotch

• Taste: Sugary sweet flavor with malty Scotch at first followed by tart apple and spicy ginger

• Finish: A lingering and pleasant burn of ginger, allspice, and pepper

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “I don’t think I’ve ever had a drink that mimicked the flavor of a pie filling quite as well as this one does. I’m actually not big on apple pie because I don’t care for the texture of warm apples, but I would absolutely consume it in cocktail form. I think there might have been a touch too much ginger burn in this one, but that aside, the Humble Pie is a really great recipe. I can see why it’s a must-try for fall.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from an issue of Imbibe magazine.

Humble Pie

The Humble Pie is an autumn cocktail that was created by bartender Sean Hoard in Portland and was first published in a 2021 issue of Imbibe magazine. Meant to be an interpretation of the ingredients used to make filling for the classic apple pie usually served around the holidays, the recipe mixes equal-parts apple brandy and Scotch whisky with ginger and brown sugar syrups, allspice liqueur, aromatic bitters, and pepper to amazing effect.

Prep Time 3 mins Assembly Time 2 mins Total Time 5 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 1 Calories: 270 Best Season: Fall

Ingredients

Method

  1. Add apple brandy, whisky, ginger syrup, demerara syrup, allspice liqueur, bitters, black pepper, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.

  2. Stir for 30-45 seconds.

  3. Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cubed ice.

  4. Garnish with candied ginger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
How do I make this cocktail recipe non-alcoholic?

Use Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative and apple cider in place of the apple brandy, Escape Mocktails Green Label Single Malt Whiskey Non-Alcoholic Alternative in place of the whisky, homemade allspice Demerara syrup in place of the allspice liqueur, and All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters to try a mocktail version of this drink.

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About The Author

Kendall is the creator of Novel Nightcaps, a mixology blog chronicling recipes she tries from her cocktail book collection.