The Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail is a delicious autumnal drink made with apple cider, whiskey, and fall spices. It was created and shared by lifestyle icon Martha Stewart in 2020 as a fun and seasonal cocktail perfect for enjoying during the cooler weather. This whiskey-based drink combines the comforting flavors of apple cider with warming spices and smooth whiskey for a cocktail that evokes the essence of fall.
What ingredients are in an Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail?
The Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail contains just a handful of ingredients that come together to create the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and strong flavors. The ingredients in Martha Stewart’s Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail recipe are:
- Apple cider: Fresh, crisp apple cider provides a sweet and apple-forward base for the cocktail.
- Whiskey: A blended whiskey like Canadian whisky works well to provide depth of flavor while still letting the apple notes shine through.
- Fresh ginger: Grated ginger adds a little spice and warmth to balance the sweetness.
- Whole cloves: Cloves complement the flavors of ginger, whiskey and apple.
- Fresh lemon juice: A splash of lemon brightens up the cocktail.
- Ice: Ice is key for chilling and diluting the drink properly.
The proportions are simple – 2 parts apple cider to 1 part whiskey, with supporting flavors from the ginger, cloves, and lemon. This combination strikes an ideal balance while keeping the ingredient list short.
How do you make an Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail?
Making an Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail is easy and comes together in just a few steps:
- Add ice to a glass: Fill a rocks or old fashioned glass with ice to chill it.
- Pour in the whiskey: Add 1 part whiskey of choice over the ice.
- Add apple cider: Pour in 2 parts fresh apple cider.
- Garnish with lemon: Add a thin round of lemon for brightness.
- Grate in fresh ginger: Use a microplane to grate in a teaspoon or so of fresh ginger.
- Add whole cloves: Lightly crush 2-3 whole cloves and add them to the cocktail.
- Stir lightly: Gently stir 3-4 times to incorporate.
And that’s it – this easy mixing process combines the core apple cider and whiskey with supporting flavors for a seasonal sipper. The Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail comes together quickly while still delivering layers of autumnal flavor in each sip.
What kind of glass should you use?
Martha Stewart specifically recommends serving the Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail in a rocks or old fashioned glass.
These short, heavy bottomed glasses are a great choice for several reasons:
- They keep the drink cold. The thick glass over ice prevents warming.
- They allow you to easily add large ice cubes that won’t melt too quickly.
- Their shape concentrates the aroma and flavor.
- They provide a nice weight in the hand and are perfect for sipping a spirit-forward drink.
- The presentation is classic and minimalist – letting the beautiful color and clarity of the cocktail shine through.
So be sure to grab some rocks glasses or short old fashioned glasses when making Martha Stewart’s Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail. The drink will look, smell and taste best served in these simple but well-suited glasses.
Can you make it in a pitcher or punch bowl?
While individual Apple Cider Whiskey cocktails are quick and easy to mix up, you can also make this drink in larger batches for parties or gatherings. The basic recipe scales up seamlessly:
- Mix up a large batch of apple cider, whiskey, lemon juice, ginger and cloves in a glass pitcher or punch bowl.
- Add a large block of ice or fill with an ice ring mold to chill.
- Ladle into rocks glasses filled with ice to serve.
- Garnish each individually with lemon and cloves before serving.
Making this cocktail in a large batch is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, Halloween parties, bonfires, and any other autumnal events where you want to serve a crowd. The Apple Cider Whiskey punch bowl beverage will allow your guests to easily serve themselves while enjoying the same great flavors.
What can you use instead of whiskey?
The Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail focuses on the interplay between apple cider, whiskey, and fall spices. However, you can substitute different spirits while keeping the core character:
- Spiced Rum – Replace the whiskey with spiced rum for added warmth and sweetness.
- Brandy – Apple brandy or pear brandy will complement the apple cider beautifully.
- Bourbon – Use a smooth bourbon for a bolder, sweeter profile.
- Rye – Rye whiskey will lend spiciness and cut through the sweetness.
Just maintain a ratio of 2 parts apple cider to 1 part spirit. Garnish and finish the cocktail in the same way with lemon, ginger and cloves. While other spirits can put a unique spin on the drink, classic blended Canadian whiskey remains an excellent choice.
What are some variations on the cocktail?
The basic Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail recipe is perfect as-is, but you can also explore some simple variations:
Maple Apple Cider Whiskey
– Add 2 teaspoons maple syrup along with the lemon juice for more sweetness.
Apple Pie Cider Whiskey
– Rim half the glass with cinnamon sugar before pouring the cocktail for a pie crust flavor.
Spicy Apple Cider Whiskey
– Use a spicy whiskey like Fireball instead of a blended whiskey.
Apple Cider Old Fashioned
– Muddle an apple slice and orange slice with bitters and sugar in the glass before building the cocktail.
Baked Apple Cider Whiskey
– Garnish with a baked cinnamon apple slice instead of lemon.
The basic whiskey apple cider combo is so adaptable. Play with different garnishes, sweeteners, spices and spirits to find your perfect blend this autumn.
Does the cocktail taste strongly of alcohol?
While the Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail contains a hearty pour of whiskey, the drink is crafted to balance the alcohol with apple cider’s natural sweetness and fall spice flavors.
The result is a cocktail where the whiskey comes through but is softened by the other ingredients rather than overpowering them. The 2:1 cider to whiskey ratio prevents the drink from tasting overly boozy or spirited.
Notes of oak and vanilla from the whiskey mingle with tart apple, bright citrus, pungent ginger, warm clove and subtle sweetness for a well-rounded sip. The spirits fan will still appreciate the whiskey presence, while those looking for a more subtle seasonal flavor will find it as well. Adjust the recipe to suit your preferences!
Is the cocktail very sweet?
While apple cider contributes both sweetness and apple flavor, Martha Stewart’s recipe creates a nice balance rather than an overly sweet cocktail.
There are a few reasons it avoids becoming too sugary:
- The 2:1 cider to whiskey ratio prevents excess sweetness.
- Fresh lemon brightens with tartness to counter the sweetness.
- Spices like ginger and clove add earthiness.
- Using a good quality dry cider, rather than one with added sugars, also helps.
The result is a drink where no single flavor dominates. Instead, the sweetness mingles with tart, spicy and strong notes for depth. Adjustments like adding extra lemon juice or maple syrup can tweak the sweetness level to your taste preferences. But the base recipe strikes a universally crowd-pleasing balance.
Conclusion
Martha Stewart’s Apple Cider Whiskey cocktail provides the perfect blend of apple, spice and spirit flavors to usher in autumn. Both easy-drinking and full of seasonal character, this simple mixed drink is sure to be a hit at any fall gathering. Savor the interplay between sweet cider, oak-y whiskey, lively citrus and warming ginger and clove as you imbibe in the essence of autumn. This crisp, apple-forward sipper celebrates the ingredients of the harvest season.