cocktail in a martini glass with apple garnish and apples in the background

10+ Sweet and Savory Washington Apple Drink Recipes

cocktail in a martini glass with apple garnish and apples in the background

 “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away” - this may be true in most cases but not in this one. Drinking in moderation is the best way to enjoy a good drink like Washington Apple.

Jump to Appletini Recipe

The Washington Apple is a delightful cocktail that incorporates the taste of apples (usually with sour apple pucker) and the tangy flavor of cranberry juice, resulting in a sweet and sour treat that can easily become a favorite. It can also be served on the rocks or as a shot.

The History of Washing Apple Drink Recipe

Before learning the recipe, you need to know how this awesome drink came to be. In the 1980s, there was a catastrophe that struck in Washington and affected the most in-demand apples.

Due to the infamous Nigerian “Naguyuc” bug, a nasty crop failure occurred and along with it, a total loss on the farmers’ part. Many have abandoned their orchards to look for other prospects in other fruits, except for one man named Christof Guycoogan who was a carpenter. After a day’s work, he would enjoy a nice glass of his favorite shot that consisted of Canadian whiskey and cranberry juice.

One night, he stopped by at a local bar and got his favorite drink. And then, out of nowhere, still bearing the drink in his hand, he tripped into a pile of rotten apples and splashed juice on everything including his drink. He took a sip and had a moment of enlightenment.

He thought the taste was divine and he started to visit the abandoned orchards to gather more rotten apple juice. He then fermented the juice into a fine apple liqueur and mixed it with the whiskey and cranberry juice that resulted in an amazing concoction.

The story behind the Washington Apple proves that even in the most unexpected ways, you can create something grand. Drinks are all about creativity, you never know what you’ll create if you only stick to what you know. 

How to Make Washington Apple Cocktail

Bar Tools You Need

Ingredients

Steps to Make

  1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
  2. Measure the Crown Royal whiskey, sour apple pucker, and cranberry juice with a jigger and pour them into the cocktail shaker. Shake well for about 20 seconds.
  3. Strain and pour the mixture into a chilled martini or coupe glass. 
  4. Garnish the drink with apple slices.

Different Ways to Prepare Washington Apple Drink

Because the Washington Apple cocktail is quite prominent and among favorites due to its sweet and sour flavor, it can be prepared in numerous ways other than a cocktail in a martini glass.

  • Shot - Measure ½ oz. of each of the three ingredients, Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey, Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps, and Cranberry juice and pour them in an ice-filled shaker and shake well. Strain and pour the mixture into a chilled shot glass. Bottoms up!
  • On the Rocks - Measure 2 oz. of Crown Royal whiskey, sour apple pucker (apple schnapps), and cranberry juice and pour them into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain and pour the mixture into an ice-filled rocks glass or highball glass. You can also add lemon-lime soda or club soda to top it off. 
  • Punch - Depending on the size of your guest, multiply your ingredients then put them in a punch bowl. Add ice to the punch bowl to dilute the alcohol in the punch, you can also add more cranberry juice and top the mixture off with clear soda like lemon-lime or club soda. Finally, serve them in a highball glass or other glasses. 

Washing Apple Recipe Variations

Aside from the different modes of preparing this delectable drink, here are some Washington Apple variations that you can try. Some of them have other accompanying flavors other than cranberry juice, but they also go well with the apple's taste.

1. Apple Martini

Apple Martini

The apple martini or the appletini is one of the favorite drinks especially among the girls served at bars because of its satisfyingly sour apple taste and mesmerizing green color. 

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. Fill a shaker with ice. Measure the vodka, sour apple pucker, and sweet sour mix with a jigger and pour them into the shaker. Shake well for 20 seconds. 
  2. Strain and pour the contents into a chilled martini glass. 

2. Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan

It is mostly known as the Cosmo, a staple in bars and one of the most prominent drinks with cranberry juice. Its bright pinkish color attracts party goers and if that’s not enough, they make them want more due to its astounding sweet and sour taste.

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. Measure the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur with a jigger and pour them into an ice-filled shaker. Shake well for 20 seconds.
  2. Strain and pour the mixture into a chilled martini glass. 

3. Sour Apple Margarita

Sour Apple Margarita

Enjoy this refreshing glass of the classic margarita with a twist: apples, that add a nice touch of sourness to that good tequila.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Domino sugar
  • 1 slice lime
  • 2 cups Sprite (or other lemon-lime soda)
  • 3/4 cup Patron Tequila
  • 3/4 cup DeKuyper sour apple pucker schnapps
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup Cointreau triple sec
  • Thinly sliced apple (for garnish)
  • Ice cubes

How to Make

  1. Place sugar on a plate. Run the rim of the rocks glasses with the lime slice and dip it into the sugar. Fill the glass with ice. 
  2. Mix the sprite, tequila, apple pucker/ apple schnapps, lime juice, and triple sec in a large pitcher and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the glasses and garnish with a thinly sliced apple. 

4. Apple Cider Margarita

Apple Cider Margarita

Extend your apple margarita adventure with this amazing apple cider version that gives a richer, earthier flavor to the drink. It’ll take your drinking experience to a whole new level. 

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. Place sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a shallow plate. Dip the rim of the margarita glasses in water and then dip it into the sugar mixture. Set aside. 
  2. Combine the apple cider, tequila and lemon juice in a large pitcher. 
  3. Pour the drink into the glasses and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. 

5. Caramel Appletini

Caramel Appletini

As a kid, you probably had several caramel apples. Relive your childhood memories by having the adult and liquid version of your favorite treat. 

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. Coat the inside of the martini glass with caramel syrup. Set aside. 
  2. Combine sour apple pucker, vodka and apple juice in an ice-filled shaker. Shake very well. 
  3. Strain and pour the mixture into the prepared martini glass. Garnish with cherry and apple slice. 

6. Jolly Rancher

Jolly Rancher

Candies are generally sweet but people always have a thing with sour candies and you can try this liquid version of the candy and decide which one you prefer. 

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. Rim the edge of the rocks glass with corn syrup and dip it into a plate of crushed jolly rancher candy. 
  2. In a shaker filled with ice, combine the Crown Royal whiskey, melon liqueur and sweet and sour mix. Shake well.
  3. Strain and pour the mixture into the prepared glass. Garnish with cherry and lemon wheel. 

7. Apple Rum Ricky Cocktail

Apple Rum Ricky Cocktail

Did you know that the Mojito is a relative of the Ricky since it also originated in Cuba? Originally a highball cocktail, this version of the Rum Ricky features brandy apple. Try one now!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 oz. cherry juice
  • 2 1/2 oz. light rum
  • 2 1/2 oz. dark rum
  • 4 oz. orange juice
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Ginger zest
  • 1 mini can Ginger Ale
  • 2 apple slices, garnish

    How to Make

    1. In a shaker filled with ice, combine cherry juice, light rum, dark rum, lemon juice, and ginger zest. Shake well for 20 seconds. 
    2. Strain and pour the mixture into a whiskey glass. Top with ginger ale and garnish with apple slices. This recipe is good for 2 servings. 

    8. Caramel Apple Whiskey

    Caramel Apple Whiskey

    A dessert or treat that you can drink. There’s already a caramel apple martini but why stop there when you can try different alcohol to pair the apple and caramel flavor with whiskey. It's best to make this with Crown Royal but if you have other preferences, it's fine too. 

    Ingredients

    How to Make

    1. Dip the rim of a whiskey glass into a plate of caramel sauce. Then dip it into a plate of coarse kosher salt. 
    2. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Measure the Crown Royal whiskeys, lemon juice, and ginger ale with a jigger and pour them into the glass. Stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with apple slices. 

    9. Caramel Apple Manhattan 

    Caramel Apple Manhattan

    Another caramel apple variation that is definitely not the least. This one also features whiskey but with an added special and nutty flavor of hazelnut and vanilla. 

    Ingredients

    How to Make

    1. Fill a shaker with ice. Measure the Crown Royal whiskey, apple schnapps, and Frangelico with a jigger and pour it into the shaker. Shake well for 15 seconds. 
    2. Strain and pour the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an apple twist. 

    10. Apple Mojito

    Apple Mojito

    Have a go at this refreshing glass of apple mojito that incorporates the flavors of mint, lime, and apple, perfect to sip on a hot summer day. 

    Ingredients

    How to Make

    1. Place the mint leaves in a highball glass. Muddle them using a muddler. 
    2. Combine the apple juice, lime juice, and rum in the glass. Stir with a bar spoon. Add ice into the glass. 
    3. Add in the club soda and stir again. Add honey and stir once more. 
    4. Garnish with apple and lime slices. 

    11. Caramel Apple Mimosas

    Caramel Apple Mimosas

    Mimosas are more on the fancy side and are great for brunches. This recipe is as easy to make and as it is tasty to drink. Serve this one for your guests, surely they’ll remember you for it. 

    Ingredients

    How to Make

    1. Dip the flute glass into a plate of caramel sauce. Dip them further into a plate of mixed sugar and cinnamon.
    2. Measure ingredients with a jigger and pour the apple cider and vodka into the flute glass. 
    3. Top it off with sparkling wine then garnish with apple slices.

    Washing Apple Drink Food Pairings

    Washing Apple Drink Food Pairings

    Since the Washington Apple cocktail is a sweet and sour drink, it is ideal to pair with savory dishes to balance the flavors. It is also a fancy drink, making it great to have at brunches with your friends. You can also nibble on these awesome finger foods at your next party or girl's night out. 

    The Ultimate Cheese Platter

    Famous finger food and a luxurious one at that is cheese. It’s not just for cooking, it also pairs well with alcohol like the Washington Apple. 

    Grilled Veggie and Steak Salad

    Meat dishes also are a great choice to pair the lovely Washington Apple cocktail to wash it down with, and there are plenty of meat types to choose from that you can eat at lunch or dinner. This Grilled Veggie and Steak makes a good pair for any apple cocktails with cranberry juice. With less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook, this is a sure winner. 

    Mustard Crust Ribeye Beef with Crispy Onion Rings

    Test out how well your steak is with a simple finger test. Press together with your thumb and the index finger for how a rare steak feels by pressing the juncture of your fingers with your other index finger. 

    Beautifully crusted with the mustard-cheese mixture and served with crispy onion rings, enjoy your ribeye steak with your favorite apple cocktail. Cooked in less than 40 minutes, it makes a good dinner treat with your spouse.

    Crispy Pork Belly with Watermelon Salad

    Take your crisp pork belly to a whole new level by adding some fresh watermelon salad. A truly satisfying and refreshing treat that will not clash with your favorite apple cocktail with the flavor of cranberry juice like the Washington Apple. 

    Dark Chocolate Cake

    Having a party is also a good way to gorge on desserts. Dark chocolate works well with Crown Royal whiskey or any other whiskey and cranberry juice cocktails so it’s a definite winner.

    Washington Apple Drink FAQ

    1. How strong is the Washington Apple drink?

    Generally, a glass of Washington apple contains 16% alcohol (32 proof) when you use an 80-proof whiskey and DeKuyper's Sour Apple Pucker which is 30 proof. 

    2. Why is it called Washington apple?

    Given its rich history and the state where it’s from, the name Washington Apple would make sense. Also, because this drink is mostly made with apples from Washington.

    3. What is the better Crown Royal to use for a Washington Apple cocktail?

    Mostly, the regular one is used but if you want to have more apple flavor in your drink, you can use the apple Crown Royal. 

    4. What mixes well with Crown Royal apple?

    Apple is generally complementary to cinnamon and mint. It also goes well with something sparkly like soda. Cranberry juice not only adds flavor but also color. Other fruits like orange and lemon also work. 

    5. What proof is Crown Royal apple?

    70 proof (35% Alcohol by volume or ABV). 

    Conclusion

    It’s sweet, it’s sour, it’s red and it’s a pure delight! The Washington Apple drink is great to order at a bar or make at home to serve among your friends. Its fruity combinations result in a taste so good that it has continued its existence since its glorious beginnings.

    The Washington Apple drink is one of those concoctions that you don’t get easily bored with and it’s also a great drink to have during brunch. It is also versatile as it can be made in different forms.

    So, which Washington Apple recipe variation is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

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    Cocktail Recipes Fruity Cocktails Rum Cocktails Tequila Cocktails Vodka Cocktails Whiskey Cocktails

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