Despite the fact March has just arrived, our weather has decided to return to snow, cold temperatures and cloudy days. This coupled with having a surplus of apples around the house led to a series of experiments that had extremely tasty results. While Sauce was whipping up smoked applesauce for pork tenderloin, I threw some apple slices on to the cold smoker and then spent a few days playing around with them in various spirits.
This also led to using our Smoking Gun! Its quite fun and adds a fantastic smoky flavor but make sure you do this with plenty of ventilation. Either add some smoke to a cracked cloche and let sit for a few seconds or add a small amount to a shaker and shake the smoke directly into the drink itself.
This drink is a bit like a Manhattan, with an interesting kick of apple flavor. A note about apple juice, definitely use the unfiltered type. Anything else makes this just a bit too sweet.
Ingredients
Equipment: knife, cutting board, muddler, shaker, strainer, coupe glass
Optional: Smoking Gun, cloche
2 apple slices (Optional: cold smoke them for 2-3 hours)
2 dashes Scrappy’s aromatic bitters
1½ oz bourbon
½ oz sweet vermouth
1 oz unfiltered apple juice
¼ oz honey syrup
Instructions
Dice one apple slice and add to shaker with bitters. Muddle gently until well combined and apple has become juicy. Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, apple juice, honey syrup and ice and shake for 20 seconds. Strain into coupe glass and garnish with apple slice.
To add an extra smoky flavor, set up smoking gun with apple wood chips. Place drink under cloche and allow to fill with smoke. Leave in for 5-7 seconds and pull cloche off. Cheers!
