This drink is a personal creation based on the Szarlotka cocktail, tailored to New England Fall. The original recipe calls for unfiltered apple juice and Zubrowka Vodka. However, you can make an even more delicious and accessible cocktail using homemade chamomile-infused vodka and apple cider. This is my favorite cocktail out of the ones that I’ve made so far and it works perfectly for Thanksgiving dessert!
This Week: Apple Pie Cocktail, courtesy of Saveur
The Ingredients
Makes 4 drinks:
- 6 oz. vodka
- 1-2 bags of chamomile tea
- 28 oz. apple cider
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice to taste (optional)
Instructions
First, infuse the vodka. Pour it into a resealable jar (I used a washed out spaghetti jar) and add 1-2 bags of chamomile tea. The drink should sit overnight in the fridge if using just one bag, but if you use two then it will be ready in a couple of hours. Make sure to keep the paper tags of the tea bags out of the vodka! I made this mistake once and the whole drink ended up tasting like paper.
Once the vodka is infused, it is perfectly acceptable to top it off with cold cider and be done with the drink. However, if you want to make it extra special, heat up the cider on the stove until it starts to boil just slightly. Throw in a dash of cinnamon or any other spice that seems appetizing while the cider is heating up.
The Verdict
This drink is amazing! It tastes like sitting by the fire on a cold, November day. It will melt your heart and warm your soul. If you have the time, then I would definitely recommend heating the cider, but the drink tastes good regardless.
Overall Rating (Cold): 8
Overall Rating (Warm): 10