The cocktail itself is a very American thing, we invented the tasty libation after all! And what could be more American than cocktails? Apples, of course! Apple pie, apple crisp, apple cider… just to name a few of our favorite apple-laden treats. We decided to jazz up the classic Old Fashioned with the addition of Fall’s bountiful fruit.
Whiskey is gaining popularity in the past few years with both men and women (you go, ladies) and for good reason! No longer is whiskey a thing your dad sipped in the lounge in his smoking jacket. Anyone? Ok, your dad may not have done this, but whiskey has always been something that has been viewed as a “guys” drink. Most only ever experience whiskey ordering a whiskey sour at the bar, no wonder people swear off the brown booze! Luckily women have been catching on to what has been kept a secret for some time now: whiskey is totally versatile and it’s damn tasty. Put down that sickly sweet-n-sour mix and start taking notes!
Spiced Apple Old Fashioned
Ingredients (serves 1):
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz apple syrup (recipe below)
- few dashes cinnamon bitters
- 1 squeeze lemon
- apple chip
Directions:
Pour apple syrup in bottom of an Old Fashioned Glass. Add a few dashes of bitters and mix with the syrup. Pour in 2 oz bourbon. Add a squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish the glass with an apple chip.
Apple Spiced Syrup
Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup fresh apple juice
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
a few dashes of clove
Directions:
Bring brown sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan. Take the pan off the heat and add remaining ingredients to the pan. Let the syrup cool. Keep cool in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
The Old Fashioned as the name hints is, well, old-fashioned. In fact, it’s the oldest drink in the book. The precursor to the fancy cocktail, its recipe is simple: sugar, whiskey, bitters. Done. There are many variations, however, for this traditional drink and is left up to one’s preference. Personally, I like mine with a muddled orange and orange peel rubbed around the edge to release the fragrant oils. No cherry, unless it’s a brandied cherry, then we’re talking!
The Old Fashioned can be made with Bourbon or Rye whiskey. Bourbon is sweeter while Rye has a more intense flavor. We are using Bourbon here to meld with the sweet and tart juices of the crisp apple. Speaking of crisp, switch out a citrus peel with a crunchy apple chip for a garnish. You’ll have a snack after sipping on what is sure to be the perfect Fall drink!
Happy imbibing!
Photography by Ashley Batz
