These autumn nights are growing chillier and thoughts of seasonal cocktails have been on our minds! This Apple Cider Manhattan, like last year’s Apple Cider French 75, uses Apple Cider Syrup to impart a wonderful fall flavor. The Apple Cider Syrup is created by cooking apple cider down to one-fourth of its original volume, transcending into almost a caramel apple in liquid form.
The first idea for an autumn cocktail was an Apple Cider Old-Fashioned- we hoped the apple cider reduction would replace the sugar in the standard Old-Fashioned. The test batches, however, didn’t pass the ol’ taste tests. The proportions between bourbon and cider just were not right – there was something missing.
The addition of sweet vermouth to the cocktail shaker eventually perfected the drink! The cocktail was spirit-forward (thanks to the bourbon) and had both sweet and tart notes from the Apple Cider Syrup. The touch of complexity from the aromatics in the sweet vermouth gives it that extra something.
The cocktail, in its final form, is less an Old-Fashioned and more of a Manhattan – a loose Manhattan, if you will. We finally achieved our cocktail creation goal: a strong, slow-sipping drink that pairs well with firepits and sweater weather.
Adding the dash of orange bitters contributes a bit of citrus and a cocktail cherry is a nod to the traditional Manhattan. If you don’t have these on hand, it certainly isn’t a deal breaker; it is still a delicious cocktail, without or without them. What is necessary is adding the cinnamon stick! The cinnamon really infuses the Apple Cider Manhattan with its sweet, spiced flavor. In truth, when you are down to the last sips of the cocktail, the cinnamon stick makes it taste like a grownup apple pie!
If you enjoy warming, spirit-forward fall cocktails, you might enjoy some of our other seasonal favorites: Apple Cider French 75, The Martinez and an Allspice Old-Fashioned.
As the weather continues to grow colder, and you are looking for something to add to a warm and cozy evening in, any of these cocktails mentioned will hit the spot. To add an extra bonus, they scale up easily and are all able to be served in larger batches, making them great for those holiday get-togethers!
- For the Cider Syrup:
- 4 cups Apple Cider
- For the Apple Cider Manhattan:
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye
- 1 ounce Cider Syrup
- ½ ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Cinnamon sticks and cherries, for garnish
- To make the Cider Syrup: Bring the apple cider to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until the cider is reduced to 1 cup, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow cider reduction to cool.
- To make the Apple Cider Manhattan: add bourbon, cider syrup, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir until well-chilled, about 30 to 60 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick and cherry.
Mike says
This looks like it would be crazy sweet. Basically 1.5 oz of sweetener to 2oz rye/bourbon. Has anyone tried this?