It's been more than four years since I started doing a cocktail each and every Friday and I've been pretty determined to keep on task. I've had nights when it was midnight before a post was completed and/or I got myself up at the crack of dawn to do the same; like today. Sometimes the time just gets away from me and sometimes it's the light but today I had an epiphany. Making a cocktail in the afternoon can often mean enjoying it after I finish a shoot or even sharing it with some friends on my street. But this morning habit I've gotten into? Not so cool. Why? Well, as I strained the ice from this Bourbon and Apple Cider Cocktail into a container to refrigerate it I realized that the shelf life was limited; flat ginger ale is just not that appealing so a 'later' cocktail might not work. Beyond that? Sometimes it's just hard to wait; like today. I could have downed the entire glass!
I've been using a lot of apple cider for cocktails; can you tell I love the stuff? Ever since realizing how amazingly easy it is to make (and how amazingly good homemade is to drink!) I can't get enough. I even have one more...think an Apple Cider Bellini too much? Hope not; I think it sounds perfect for Thanksgiving!
If you're not interested in making your own and live in the Denver/Boulder area, I've had some great cider from YaYa Farm & Orchard in Longmont, Colorado. If you want to find an orchard near you for apples or cider, I love the Orange Pippin online directory.
Apple cider is really just raw, unfiltered apple juice that has not gone through any filtration to remove the course particles of pulp or sediment like the juice has. In a commercial cider mill, apples are washed, cut and ground into a mash the consistency of applesauce. The mash is then usually wrapped in cloth and put through wooden racks of a press where the layers are squeezed and the juice is pressed out and put into refrigerated tanks before being bottled. Typically it is not pasteurized like apple juice either so it has a much shorter shelf life...and for me a much more robust flavor.
For all of the cocktails I've enjoyed lately with cider, I have to admit this one might be my favorite. It could not be easier to prepare and the combination of flavors is spot on. The tartness of cider combined with the sweetness of bourbon all complemented with some sparkling ginger ale is really pretty perfect. When I had a 'Girls Nite In' at my house last fall for some new neighbors I made this the featured drink. Amy, my neighbor across the street hesitated because she professed to not liking bourbon. I convinced her to at least give it a taste and as a result of her leap of faith, I started her on a journey of discovery and now I've got a convert. It's all about not being heavy handed with this elixir of the Gods!
I think Fall is actually finally here today so this is perfect. We've been having summer temps but today it's blustery and 52 degrees. You know when the world starts to herald the advent of fall with many proclaiming it their favorite season I don't get it and maybe today is a good reminder of why. Fall in Colorado can be fickle and it seems that just when temps start to become more moderate our first snowstorm follows shortly thereafter. We might have a season called 'Fallish' but it's just too short and my lamenting the ending of summer is because winter is just right around the corner. So today, with the breeze and coolness in the air I'll enjoy this brief moment in time with this absolutely perfect fall libation and you need to join me. If Amy likes it...betting you will too!
Love Apple Cider in Cocktails too? I have some more for you!
Bourbon and Apple Cider Cocktail
- 2 ounces Apple Cider, chilled
- 1 ounce Bourbon
- 2 ounces Ginger Ale, chilled - I recommend finding a good Ginger Ale...one that really has an evident taste of ginger.
- Apple slices for garnish
- Combine the cider and bourbon in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until very cold (if serving a crowd, combine these two ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Strain mixture into an ice filled glass and top with the chilled ginger ale. Stir gently.
- Garnish with an apple slice and serve.
About that apple slice.
This is actually an updated post; I first published this Bourbon and Apple Cider Cocktail in 2009, shortly after starting Friday Cocktails; I thought it was time for a photo upgrade and also thought some new readers might enjoy one of my favorites...cheers!
