Feel that nip in the air? Sure, it could be the chill of the economy—or it could also be that fall has finally hit, and nothing signals autumn like the crisp taste of apple cider. But we’re no country bumpkins hay-riding through the orchards—in the Big Apple, we take our pressed fruit grown-up style. Toast the season with one of these fresh cider cocktail recipes, and transition into cooler weather as comfortably as slipping on that raggedy sweater you can’t seem to donate. Besides, weren’t you getting sick of all those mojitos anyway?
Cider Martini at Suba by Robert “Perez” Klebahn 1 oz. thyme-infused Bombay Sapphire gin
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz. apple puree
1 oz. Isastegi Sagardo Naturala dry Basque cider
2 slices fresh apple
a few sprigs fresh thyme for garnish
Infuse the gin with the thyme 24 hours in advance. Muddle the apple slices in the bottom of a shaker. Add all the other ingredients including the fresh thyme leaves with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.
Big Apple Cobbler at Libation by George Delgado 1 ½ oz. Maker's Mark bourbon
½ oz. apple schnapps
apple cider
ginger ale
fresh apple
Mix the bourbon and apple schnapps into a tall glass full of ice, then fill with apple cider. Top with a splash of ginger ale and garnish with apple slices.
Apple Sidecar at Five Napkin Burger 2 oz. Calvados
1 ½ oz. apple cider
½ oz. Amaretto
splash fresh lime juice
dried apple slices for garnish
Pour first four ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice to mixing glass and shake for 10-12 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass with a salted rim, add dried apple slices for garnish.
Apple Cider Margarita at Mini Bar
4 oz. Cuervo Gold tequila
2 oz. Cointreau
1 tbsp. Crème de Cassis
½ tsp of lemon juice
½ cup of apple cider
Rim a martini glass with raw sugar and fill with ice. In a shaker mix ingredients, and shake and strain over small amount of ice cubes.
Gingerbread Apple Cocktail at P*Ong by Pichet Ong 2 oz. Domaine de Canton
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2 ½ oz. apple cider
a few drops of lemon juice
orange zest
agave syrup
Line a chilled martini glass lightly with agave syrup on a dish followed by spiced graham cracker crumbs. Place all ingredients except for orange zest in a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into glass, freshly grate orange zest on drink, and serve.
Basque Sangria at Suba by Roger Kugler 6 oz. Isastegi Sagardo Naturala dry Basque cider
1 ¾ oz. triple sec
⅓ oz. La Face Cachee de la Pomme “Neige” Cidre de Glace (apple ice wine)
fresh apple slices for garnish
Combine the three principal ingredients in a pint-sized glass and stir gently. Add ice to fill the glass and garnish with the fresh apple slices.
