Raise the flags, light the fireworks, bring on the marching band, it is National Apple Week!! Considering most likely the majority of you are unaware that this is in fact National Apple Week, I think I am correct in assuming that you are not participating in any parades in its honour. Pshaw, no worries, let’s celebrate in the M4 fashion, with apple cocktails! Hey, if you do in fact want to sit on a float waving the Queen’s wave you go right ahead. The rest of us, we’re going to be on the deck, toasting to the little apple seeds that brought us such tasty goodness.
Pot O’ Gold
2 oz. Rum, spiced
4 oz. Apple Juice
Add ingredients to a shaker over ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass.
Comments: Considering the simplicity of this drink, you would think that the flavour profile would be one-dimensional however, it is surprisingly complex in flavour.
Tasting Notes: combo between mulled cider and baked apples; very fruity
Apple Bumboo
2 oz dark rum
1/4 oz simple syrup
2 oz apple juice
Add ingredients in a cocktail glass with ice, and stir thoroughly. Grate nutmeg on top and add a couple of small dashes of Angostura Bitters, if desired.
Comments: This is reminiscent of a Caribbean-style drink except done ‘American-style’ with apples (think ‘apple rum punch’).
Tasting Notes: a bit syrupy; rum definitely comes through; apples and rum are the perfect combo!
Apple Martini
1 oz vodka
1 oz sour apple schnapps
1 oz apple juice
Pour all ingredients into a shaker over ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.
Comments: Out of all of the drinks tried for this newsletter, I have to say that this is by far my favourite. I am not an apple fan by any stretch (yet many of you exist, hence this edition of the newsletter) but this is a perfectly acceptable, even more so, way for me to get my apple a day :).
Tasting Notes: very fruit forward; apple ‘in your face’ flavour
Chimayo
1 1/2 oz tequila
1 oz apple juice
1/4 oz lemon or lime juice
1/4 oz crème de cassis
Stir all ingredients in a cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with a slice of unpeeled apple.
Comments: This is very good as is but if you are looking for more of an apple flavour, go ahead and up the apple juice quotient. Personally, I feel that this is very well-balanced as is, but everybody’s tongue is different :). Varying the type of tequila (I used silver) would change the flavour profile as well.
Tasting Notes: acidity of the juice tempers the tequila; slightly sweet and tart; very tasty!!