All the flavours of a classic apple tart come together in this sweet, sour and juicy cocktail.
About the cocktail
There was a time, not so long ago, when every Instagram baker worth their salted butter was posting pictures of stylish, homemade apple tarts. Remember those? They were carefully topped with swirling patterns of delicately fanned apple slices, popping out of the screen like a sugary Van Gogh. They looked lovely, for sure, but we reckon we’ve found a proper Dan’s-style upgrade for adults – cocktail-style. The beauty of the Apple Tart on the Rocks is that it’s exactly what you’d hope – it’s all the flavours of the best apple tart in a glass. The biscuity, vanilla notes of bourbon are like a liquid pie crust. The tart combo of cloudy apple and lemon juice match the bright apple tart filling perfectly. Maple syrup brings some rich sweetness, while egg white gives texture. Top it with a little dusting of cinnamon sugar and an Insta-worthy apple fan, and we’re confident you’ll prefer this to the real thing. Even though this cocktail is based on a dessert, it’s not sickly sweet or only for after dinner. This is an ideal sipper for a sophisticated afternoon tea, a fantastic pairing for your favourite salty snacks, or a Friday night treat while watching movies with your besties. And, of course, the Apple Tart on the Rocks is also a great sub for dessert – or even a like-for-like match with your favourite apple tart.
Ingredients
50mL bourbon 30mL cloudy apple juice 25mL fresh lemon juice 10mL maple syrup 1 egg white Glass: large rocks Garnish: apple fan and cinnamon sugar
Method
Add all ingredients to a cocktail tin Give it hard dry shake – without ice Now add ice and shake again Fine strain into your glass Fill the glass with ice Garnish with the apple fan and then dust with cinnamon sugar
Dan’s top tips
Technique-wise, the Apple Tart on the Rocks is pretty simple. The only thing to remember is the dry shake, which gets everything integrated nicely in the cocktail shaker and builds up some egg-white froth before the ice chills and dilutes it all. And speaking of egg white, a regular egg should give you about 25mL to 30mL, so use that as a guide if you’re subbing in a vegan alternative like aquafaba. There’s a little room to move with the other ingredients, but we recommend sticking with cloudy apple juice rather than the clear stuff. You’ll get a little extra texture and, usually, a more natural apple flavour. As for the bourbon – use your favourite. You could also sub in rye whiskey instead if you prefer a spicier, less sweet style. Lastly, don’t skip the cinnamon sugar garnish. It may be a small step in the scheme of things, but the flavour is vital to really give this cocktail those proper apple tart vibes. You can make your own but you should be able to find it in the supermarket, too.
What is an Apple Tart on the Rocks?
An Apple Tart on the Rocks is a cocktail designed to taste just like an apple tart.
Can I make an Apple Tart on the Rocks without egg white?
Yes! Simply substitute egg white (around 25–30mL) for an alternative like aquafaba – the liquid out of a tin of chickpeas.
- Which bourbon is best for this cocktail?
Any bourbon should work well in the Apple Tart on the Rocks, so use your favourite. We like Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey 101, Ezra Brooks and Buffalo Trace.
image credits: Kayla May (photography), Bridget Wald (styling).
