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 fermented apple juice and yeast, which is distilled and aged to develop a smooth, fruity flavor.

Blended Scotch: This is a type of Scotch whisky made in Scotland with fermented malted barley, other cereal grains, water, and yeast, which are distilled, aged in oak barrels, and blended together with one or more other Scotch whiskies to develop a smooth, complex flavor.

Ginger Syrup: This is a sweetener made with ginger root, white sugar, and water, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a spicy, aromatic flavor.

Demerara Syrup: This is a sweetener made with demerara sugar and water, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a sweet, caramelized flavor.

Allspice Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with allspice berries, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended, infused, and sometimes aged to develop a warm, spiced flavor.

Aromatic Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with a blend of herbs, spices, roots, and botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop an aromatic, bittersweet flavor.

Ground Black Pepper: This is a spice made with dried and ground peppercorns that has a fine texture and sharp, pungent flavor.

Candied Ginger: This is a type of confection made by cooking ginger root in sugar syrup, then applying a sugar coating and drying it to develop a chewy texture and sweet, spicy flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Laird’s Blended Applejack
• 🔗 The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky
• 🔗 Liber & Co. Fiery Ginger Syrup
• 🔗 Liber & Co. Demerara Gum Syrup
• 🔗 St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram
• 🔗 Angostura Aromatic Bitters
• 🔗 Simply Organic Ground Black Pepper
• 🔗 The Snackery Dried Candied Ginger Slices

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 and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Mixing Glass: This is a sturdy glass vessel with a wide opening that’s used for stirring cocktails with ice before straining and serving.

Julep Strainer: This is a round metal strainer with a perforated bowl shape and handle that’s used for straining stirred cocktails from a mixing glass while holding back ice and solids.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring cocktails, layering ingredients, and reaching the bottom of tall glasses and mixing vessels.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender skewer made from metal, wood, or bamboo that’s used for holding cocktail garnishes in place.

Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving cocktails with ice or spirits neat.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Julep Strainer
• 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon
• 🔗 Prodyne Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set
• 🔗 Libbey Chisel Rocks Glass

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 Take
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a cocktail capture the flavor of apple pie filling quite as convincingly as this one does. It’s warmly spiced, rich, and wonderfully autumnal—like the inside of a freshly baked pie, but in liquid form. The ginger adds a noticeable kick that keeps it lively and prevents it from feeling overly sweet. If you love cozy, dessert-inspired drinks in the fall like I do, the Humble Pie absolutely delivers.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in Imbibe magazine.