Fall From The Tree Cocktail Recipe

The 'Fall From The Tree' cocktail is a delightful nod to the autumn season, embodying the essence of the harvest with its apple-centric ingredients. It's a modern classic that appeals to those who appreciate a balance of sweet and tart flavors, with a hint of spice.

• Origins
  • The drink is a variation on the classic whiskey sour, using applejack as its base spirit, which is a type of apple brandy that has been produced in America since colonial times.
  • The name reflects the use of apple and the feeling of a crisp autumn day when leaves, and apples, fall from the trees.
• Popularity
  • This cocktail has found favor among those who enjoy seasonal drinks and has a particular following in areas where apple orchards are common.
• Perfect For
  • Ideal for sipping on a cool evening or at a fall gathering, it's a hit at Thanksgiving celebrations or simply as an after-dinner delight.

The 'Fall From The Tree' cocktail offers a harmonious blend of flavors. It's warmly sweet from the apple juice and cinnamon syrup, with a refreshing tartness from the lemon juice. The applejack, or your choice of bourbon or scotch, provides a robust backbone, while the aromatic bitters add depth and complexity. It's a medium-bodied cocktail that leaves a lingering spice on the palate.

• Applejack History: Applejack is a historic American spirit that dates back to the colonial era, making it an integral part of this cocktail's identity.
• Seasonal Flexibility: While 'Fall From The Tree' is perfect for autumn, it can be enjoyed year-round by adjusting the garnish or presentation to suit the season.
• Customizable: The cocktail's base spirit can be varied, using applejack, bourbon, or scotch, allowing for a range of flavor profiles.

1. Combine Ingredients
   • In a shaker, combine 1 1/2 ounces of Laird’s applejack, 1 ounce of fresh apple juice, 1/2 ounce of cinnamon syrup, and 1/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
2. Add Bitters
   • Add a dash of The Bitter Truth aromatic bitters.
3. Shake
   • Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled.
4. Strain
   • Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
5. Garnish
   • Garnish with a fresh apple slice.

• Chill Your Glass: For the best experience, chill your coupe glass in the freezer for at least an hour before serving.
• Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh apple juice and freshly squeezed lemon juice for a brighter, more vibrant flavor.
• Garnish Placement: Place the apple slice on the rim of the glass or float it on top of the cocktail for an elegant presentation.

Food Pairings

• Cheese Platter: A cheese plate featuring sharp cheddar, creamy brie, or rich gouda can complement the fruity notes and the slight spice from the cinnamon in the cocktail.
• Roast Pork: The sweet and savory elements of roast pork match well with the apple and cinnamon flavors.
• Pumpkin Pie: For a dessert pairing, the spice of a pumpkin pie dances harmoniously with the cinnamon and apple in the drink.

Drink Pairings

• Hot Tea: A non-alcoholic option, like a hot black or cinnamon tea, can accompany the warm spice notes.
• Apple Cider: A cold or warm apple cider is a non-alcoholic pairing that mirrors the applejack and apple juice in the cocktail.

• Applejack Substitutes:
  • If Laird’s applejack is not available, bourbon or scotch can be used as a substitute, offering a different but equally complex flavor profile.
• Cinnamon Syrup Alternatives:
  • In absence of cinnamon syrup, a homemade version can be made by simmering equal parts sugar and water with cinnamon sticks until the sugar dissolves.

Smoky Orchard

• Ingredients: Add 0.5 oz of mezcal.
• Recipe: Follow the original recipe, but add half an ounce of mezcal to the shaker before you add ice.
• Flavor Change: The mezcal will introduce a smoky complexity, pairing beautifully with the apple and cinnamon, giving you a bonfire-in-an-orchard vibe.

Honeycrisp Spice

• Ingredients: Substitute the applejack with bourbon and the cinnamon syrup with honey syrup, plus a pinch of ground cinnamon.
• Recipe: Use bourbon instead of applejack and honey syrup in place of cinnamon syrup. Add the ground cinnamon just before shaking.
• Flavor Change: The bourbon brings a vanilla-oak sweetness, while honey provides a natural, less spicy sweetness. The cocktail becomes more about the smooth blend of apple and honey with a spice whisper.

Maple Harvest

• Ingredients: Add 0.5 oz of pure maple syrup and substitute the lemon juice with apple cider vinegar.
• Recipe: Include maple syrup and use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice in the original recipe.
• Flavor Change: A fall harvest explosion, with the maple syrup providing a rich, autumnal sweetness, and the apple cider vinegar offering a tart counterpoint – it's like a warm sweater for your palate.