With the arrival of fall and cold evenings, it is the perfect time to try an Apple Manhattan cocktail. With a little applesauce added to the mix, it’s a delicious take on the classic Manhattan.
I got the idea for this cocktail from a Washington Post recipe for an Old Fashioned made with apple butter. Apple butter usually includes cinnamon and I wasn’t in the mood for cinnamon in my drink, but the flavor of apple called to me. I thought that the Manhattan was the perfect vehicle for a little apple.
I used rye whiskey for this drink. Bourbon is another option.
Tips
- Don’t use bland applesauce purchased from the grocery store for this cocktail. Find a good locally made applesauce to get the full apple flavor. I make my own applesauce and freeze it, so I used a little of that.
- There will be applesauce in your cocktail. I like the body that it adds to the last sips. If you want to remove the applesauce, I suggest mixing the applesauce into the spirits early, so that the apple flavor can blend into the liquid. Don’t add the ice. Let it sit for a bit. Use a fine mesh kitchen strainer to remove the apple pulp before mixing the drinks with ice.
Ingredients
This recipe makes two cocktails.
- 4 ounces whiskey
- 2 ounces sweet vermouth
- 1 or two dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 teaspoons applesauce
- Cherries for garnish (try Amarena cherries or Luxardo cherries)
- Apple slices for garnish
Directions
Add the whiskey, vermouth, bitters and applesauce to a cocktail pitcher filled with ice. Stir the mixture and strain into two glasses. Drop a cherry into the glass and garnish the glass with an apple slice.
Enjoy!
Related Topics
Here are some other Manhattan recipes to try.