Apple whiskey is a delicious and versatile spirit that can be mixed into many fantastic cocktails. The fruity, appley flavor of apple whiskey pairs well with a variety of mixers and complements both sweet and savory ingredients. Whether you’re looking to make apple whiskey cocktails for a party or just want to experiment with some new drink recipes, there are lots of delicious options to try. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best mixers to use with apple whiskey and provide recipes for tasty apple whiskey cocktails.
Sweet Mixers
Some of the most popular mixers with apple whiskey are sweet ingredients that complement and bring out the natural apple flavor. Here are some sweet mixers that go well with apple whiskey:
Apple Cider
Apple cider is an obvious choice that enhances the appley notes in the whiskey. For a simple yet delicious cocktail, combine:
- 2 oz apple whiskey
- 4-6 oz hard apple cider
- Ice
Stir the ingredients together, strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass, and garnish with an apple slice.
Ginger Ale
The bubbly effervescence of ginger ale livens up the mellow apple flavor of the whiskey. For an Apple Whiskey Ginger:
- 2 oz apple whiskey
- 4-6 oz ginger ale
- Squeeze of lime juice
- Ice
Build in a highball glass over ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice contributes a tart, berry flavor that works nicely with apple whiskey’s fruitiness. Mix together:
- 1 1/2 oz apple whiskey
- 4 oz cranberry juice
- Squeeze of lime
- Ice
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass to make a delicious Apple Cranberry Sour.
Savory Mixers
While apple whiskey shines in fruity cocktails, it can also pair well with more savory mixers. Some great savory choices include:
Ginger Beer
Spicy ginger beer can stand up to the sweet apple flavor and add complexity. Make an Apple Whiskey Buck:
- 2 oz apple whiskey
- 3-4 oz ginger beer
- Squeeze of lime
- Dash of Angostura bitters
- Ice
Build in a mule mug or collins glass over ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
Cola
The classic flavor combo of cola and apple translates well to an apple whiskey and coke cocktail. Simply combine over ice:
- 1 1/2 oz apple whiskey
- 4-6 oz cola
Garnish with an apple slice or maraschino cherry.
Tonic Water
Dry tonic water balances the sweetness of the whiskey. Make an Apple Whiskey Tonic with:
- 2 oz apple whiskey
- 4-5 oz tonic water
- Squeeze of lime
- Ice
Build in a highball glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Creamy Mixers
The velvety texture of creamy mixers pairs deliciously with apple whiskey. Consider mixing your apple whiskey with:
Butterscotch Schnapps
The sweet, butterscotch flavor complements the apple notes perfectly in shots or cocktails. An Apple Butter Bomber combines:
- 1 oz apple whiskey
- 1 oz butterscotch schnapps
Shoot as a shot or layer in a shot glass.
Irish Cream
Irish cream liqueur adds richness and dimensionality. Shake together:
- 1 1/2 oz apple whiskey
- 1 oz Irish cream
- Ice
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass for an Apple Irish Cream cocktail.
Cream Soda
For something fizzy, the sweet vanilla flavor of cream soda makes a tasty mixer. Build in a highball glass:
- 2 oz apple whiskey
- 4-6 oz cream soda
- Ice
Garnish your Apple Cream Soda cocktail with a maraschino cherry.
Fruity Mixers
Other fruity mixers also complement apple whiskey wonderfully. Consider mixing your apple whiskey with:
Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice contributes tropical fruitiness. Make an Apple Pineapple smash with:
- 2 oz apple whiskey
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- Mint leaves
- Ice
Muddle the mint in a shaker, add remaining ingredients and shake. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with mint sprig.
Grapefruit Juice
For a citrusy twist, use tart grapefruit juice in cocktails like the Apple Grapefruit Fizz:
- 2 oz apple whiskey
- 3 oz grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz honey syrup
- 1 oz club soda
- Ice
Shake apple whiskey, grapefruit juice and honey syrup with ice. Strain into ice-filled highball glass and top with club soda.
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice adds berry tartness. Make a Pom Apple Cooler with:
- 1 1/2 oz apple whiskey
- 3 oz pomegranate juice
- Top with club soda
- Ice
Build in a highball glass over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
Other Fun Mixers
Don’t limit yourself – feel free to experiment with other fun mixers like:
- Maple syrup – adds sweetness and fall flavor
- Honey – contributes floral sweetness
- Apple butter – for extra appley richness
- Cinnamon syrup – brings warmth and spice
- Chai tea – incorporates exotic spice notes
The fruit-forward flavor of apple whiskey gives you lots of flexibility when making cocktails. So next time you’re mixing drinks, don’t forget the versatility of apple whiskey!
Conclusion
Apple whiskey’s tasty fruit flavor profile pairs nicely with a wide variety of mixers ranging from sweet to savory. Sweet apple cider, ginger ale and cranberry juice all complement apple whiskey’s fruity notes, while spicy ginger beer, cola and tonic water provide more savory balance. Creamy mixers like butterscotch schnapps, Irish cream and cream soda add indulgent richness and texture. And other fruit juices like pineapple, grapefruit and pomegranate contribute bright, fresh acidity. So whether you’re throwing a cocktail party or just looking for a new signature drink, apple whiskey gives you lots of delicious options for mixing and matching flavors. With this handy guide and a bottle of apple whiskey, you’re ready to get creative behind the bar!