This fall, serve up a delicious Washington Apple Cocktail using Canadian whisky, apple schnapps and cranberry juice. This sweet and tangy drink is perfect for any occasion this season, from tailgates to Thanksgiving.
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About this Washington Apple Cocktail recipe
When it comes to cocktails, I love a surprising flavor combination that forms when the ingredients don’t make a lot of sense together.
Take the Tootsie Roll cocktail for an example; it features coffee liqueur and root beer, tasting just like the candy. (Or the Tootsie Roll Shot, for that matter, with coffee liqueur and orange juice.)
Another one is the chocolate cake shot with hazelnut liqueur, vanilla vodka and lemon juice, but tastes like chocolate cake. Who would have thought?
My new favorite is the Washington Apple drink, a surprising combination of Canadian whisky, apple schnapps and cranberry juice. I wouldn’t have guessed that whiskey paired with berry red juice and lime green apple liqueur would yield a rutilant apple cocktail that tastes like an apple cider martini!
But it’s truly terrific, and I think I’ll be making it a lot this season. It would be great for every occasion from tailgating (try it in shot form) to Thanksgiving.
More fall whiskey recipes: Gold Rush Cocktail • Smoked Old-Fashioned • Bourbon Ginger Ale Cocktail • Bourbon Hot Toddy
Why you’ll love this recipe
The Washington Apple cocktail might just be your new favorite sip of the season, because…
- It tastes like fall in a glass. So fresh and cozy!
- These three ingredients might not seem like they’d taste like apples, but they do!
- Served up in a coupe glass, this drink adds sophistication to the Washington Apple Shot, a party version with a similar recipe.
History
The Washington Apple Cocktail was created in the late 1980s by Christof Guycoogan, who used fermented apples from Washington state’s apple orchards damaged by a bug infestation to make apple liqueur.
He mixed it with his favorite drink, Canadian whisky and cranberry juice, and the combination became popular. Today, any Canadian whisky can be used, with sour apple schnapps typically providing the apple flavor. For a more refined version, you can substitute the schnapps with a high-quality apple liqueur, applejack or Calvados, a French apple brandy.
Tools & glassware
To make a Washington Apple, you’ll need a few basic things, but primarily a basic bartending set. You’ll want a cocktail shaker, jigger and strainer.
For the apple garnish, a knife and cutting board are key, but a mandoline will help you get a more precise and even cut across the apple.
When serving the drink, use a cocktail glass like a martini or coupe glass. Chill it beforehand to keep the drink ice cold.
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Buy Now → Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to grab at the grocery store and liquor store to make this recipe:
- Canadian whisky: Another name for rye whiskey, the flavor of Canadian whisky is typically lighter and smoother than other styles of whiskey. Common brands of Canadian whisky are Canadian Club and Crown Royal.
- Green apple schnapps: You can use any brand of sour apple schnapps, which is a bright green liqueur. A familiar brand is De Kuyper Sour Apple Pucker, but there are others too. Sometimes, you can find it in mini versions if you don’t want to invest in a big bottle.
- Cranberry juice: While I usually like 100% cranberry juice best for most drinks, cranberry juice cocktail works really well here. It has more sweetness and a bit of a truer red color, giving this drink its apple color.
Garnishes
The Washington Apple is usually finished off with an apple slice. I love slicing apples horizontally to reveal the star shape formed by the seeds, but you can use a regular, vertical slice as well.
Be sure to slice the apple garnish right before serving to prevent browning. You can also brush the apple slice with lemon juice to keep it vibrant.
You could also float a dehydrated apple on top or perch it on the rim. A rim of cinnamon sugar or even hot apple cider spice mix would also be gorgeous.
Substitutions & variations
Washington Apple Shot: Make this cocktail into a shot version, and add a splash of club soda for bubbles to each shot glass.
Non-alcoholic Washington Apple: Instead of Canadian whisky, use a zero-proof spirit like Ritual whiskey alternative for the Canadian whisky. For the apple schnapps, substitute apple cider or apple juice.
Caramel Washington Apple: Crown Royal is a popular brand of Canadian whisky, and it comes in some fun flavors like salted caramel whiskey, which would give this recipe a caramel apple flavor. Another fun one is the Crown Royal apple whiskey, which would give this an even more apple-forward flavor.
Other types of whiskey: Canadian whisky is the smooth, light whiskey that this recipe calls for, but you can try it with bourbon or Irish whiskey if that’s what you have on hand.
Buy Now → Instructions
Here’s how to make your own Washington Apple drink at home:
First, fill a cocktail shaker with Canadian whisky and apple schnapps.
Top with cranberry juice and ice. Shake well until the shaker is cold in your hand.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and finish it off with slice of red apple for garnish.
Tips & tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:
- Chill the glass: For the best experience, chill your coupe or martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes before pouring in the cocktail. This keeps the drink extra refreshing.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter drink, opt for cranberry juice cocktail instead of 100% cranberry juice, which is more tart.
- Experiment with flavored whiskies: For a fun twist, try using a flavored whisky like caramel-or apple-infused whisky to enhance the fall flavors and give the drink a unique spin.
Food pairings
This apple cocktail is the perfect fall drink. It’s great for everything from fall Friday nights on the porch to an apple picking picnic. Enjoy it with your favorite fall treats like **cream cheese caramel apple dip** or apple salsa.
For a cozy fall dinner or game day, pair it with apple cider pulled pork and an apple pecan salad.
Turkey day is also a great time for Washington Apple drinks. Cranberry apple casserole is always a must at my Thanksgiving gatherings! Apple pie bars are always delicious too.
FAQ
The traditional recipe calls for Canadian whisky, known for its smooth and light flavor. Popular brands are Canadian Club and Crown Royal. However, you can experiment with bourbon, rye or even Irish whiskey if you prefer — just know the flavor profile will vary slightly.
Absolutely! For a non-alcoholic version, replace the Canadian whisky with a zero-proof whiskey alternative and use apple cider instead of apple schnapps.
To reduce sweetness, use 100% cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail. You can also cut back on the apple schnapps and/or add a splash of soda water for balance.
Yes, the Washington Apple Cocktail can easily be batched. Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need and mix in a pitcher. Add ice when ready to serve, or let guests pour their own drinks over ice.
More apple drink recipes
- Apple Cider Mule
- Appletini
- Apple Crisp Macchiato
- Spiced Apple Simple Syrup
- Apple Pie Old Fashioned
- Apple Cider Sangria
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Washington Apple Cocktail
ingredients
- 1 ounce Canadian whisky such as Crown Royal
- 1 ounce green apple schnapps such as Sour Apple Pucker
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- 1 slice red apple cut horizontally, for garnish
instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add whisky, apple schnapps and cranberry juice. Shake well.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin slice of red apple.
notes
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