A cold brisk breeze, the crunchy sound of leaves under your feet and the inevitable feeling of dampness in the air. It's as if you can feel it in your bones. Fall. Trees changing colors, leaves on the ground and that smell of a damp leave pile...
While some people may associate the smell of fall with clove, nutmeg and cinnamon; and think the beverage for the season comes in an overpriced white cup with some weird green figure on it. I invite you to open your senses and instead reach for the true flavor of fall, Apple.
This cocktail is my go to every fall. It comforts, it warms and it makes you feel the season all the way to the bone. I've dubbed it the "Cider House Sweater." Basically it's a bourbon apple cider, with a twist.
First let's start with the software:
- 2oz Bourbon
- 2oz Apple Cider
- Pinch of Cinnamon/Cinnamon Sticks for garnish
- Fresh Rosemary twigs
As far as the hardware:
- A boston shaker (with hawthorn strainer) or Cobbler Shaker
- Muddler
- Large ice cubes
- Small rocks glass
Let's mix things up:
- Pull a few rosemary leaves off the bottom of the stem and add them to the bottom of the shaker with a splash of the bourbon and muddle it a bit.
- Add 2-3 ice cubes, remainer of the bourbon, the 2oz of cider and a dash of cinnamon.
- Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty.
- Rub rosemary spring around a rocks glass and place 2 ice cubes, and a cinnamon stick into the rocks glass.
- Strain contents of the shaker into rocks glass. Should have a bit of froth on the top.
- Garnish with rosemary spring you rubbed in the glass.
- Enjoy, and repeat... RESPONSIBLY.
This is my favorite fall drink. My suggesting is also to use a mid-grade bourbon. Skip the lower shelf brands. Makers Mark is a good mid-grade and what I use often. (avoid Jim Beam, Evan Williams, and whatever you do; Jack Daniels isn't bourbon.)