Straight up, this is a deviation from my usual repertoire. It’s definitely on the sweeter side of what I would normally order or make. I wanted to play around with some winter flavours and happened to have my son home for the weekend. His palate isn’t quite as bitter as mine yet—maybe that’s just age, although I’m not entirely convinced. However, he’s recently started picking some shifts up at a bar and he’s been keen in helping me experiment with cocktails, so this one was for him and we went with a sweeter one. So if sweet drinks more your vibe, this one is for you.
The result is a cocktail that’s a little sweeter and slightly more time intensive than my usual Negroni or classic Margarita, but still absolutely worth making. The combination of apple, honey, cinnamon and a shot of tequila feels like a warm winter hug despite being served over ice. And it looks pretty too.
This Spiced Apple Tequila Cocktail uses spiced apple mead, which I happened to have left over from a previous trip to Tassie. If ever there is a place to buy apple mead, it’s the Apple Isle. If you don’t have any, don’t let that stop you. The recipe is just as enjoyable without it, and I’ve included an easy alternative that uses ingredients you’re much more likely to have on hand.
It does require a little more planning than simply pouring a spirit over ice, but not enough to put you off. The only preparation is a quick cinnamon-infused honey syrup, which takes about 10 minutes to make plus a little cooling time.
One final tip—use cinnamon sticks if you can. Ground cinnamon doesn’t dissolve properly and leaves the cocktail tasting slightly chalky. If you don’t have cinnamon sticks, I’d simply leave the cinnamon out altogether. The drink will be a little less warming, but it will still be well worth making.
Whether you have the apple mead or not, this one is worth making. Here’s how to make it.
Worth Making?
- Yes — if you’re looking for a tequila cocktail that feels more autumn orchard than warm backyard bbq
- Yes — if you like drinks a little on the sweeter side but not so sweet it tastes like a melted lolly
- Yes — if you’ve got a bottle of tequila sitting around and want something a little different or if you have apple mead and at a loss how to mix it up
- Yes — if you’re serving cheese boards, savoury biscuits or salty snacks
- Skip it — if the thought of a sweet cocktail puts you off
- Skip it — if you’re expecting an apple cider drink or apple version of a mulled wine – this is much lighter
- Skip it — if making a syrup feels like too much effort for your cocktail craving
Spiced Apple Tequila Cocktail
Ingredients
- 60 ml reposado tequila Can substitute with another tequila, however blanco tequila won’t work as well here
- 30 ml apple mead
- 30 ml cloudy apple juice
- 15 ml fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml cinnamon honey syrup
Cinnamon Honey Syrup
- 2 fresh cinnamon sticks
- 50 grams water
- 100 grams honey
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice
- Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice or serve straight up in a martini glass. If using a rocks glass, coat edge of the glass in cinnamon sugar (1 tsp sugar mixed with 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
- Garnish with a thin apple slice and a small cinnamon stick if desired
Cinnamon Honey Syrup
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan
- Warm gently until the honey dissolves, simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes
- Remove from the heat and allow the cinnamon to steep for 20-30 minutes. Strain and refrigerate or cool to room temperature
Make it your own way
- Add 5ml extra honey syrup if you prefer a slightly sweeter drink
- Use pear juice in place of the apple juice for a softer, more delicate version
- Add two dashes of orange bitters for extra warmth and spice
- Top with soda water for a longer, lighter drink
- Add a very thin slice of fresh ginger to the shaker for a gentle warming kick
- Swap the tequila for dark rum if that’s what you have on hand or prefer a rum over tequila
