Apple Pie Cocktail + Cool Apple Serving Cup

I was introduced to this cocktail a few years back at a friends college graduation party.  I really enjoyed the drink as it really does taste exactly like apple pie.  Since that party I have tried to make the apple pie cocktail several times  but until recently was unable to recreate that true apple pie flavor.  In trying to recreate the flavor I tested a lot of the different variations of the cocktail and have selected and combined the ingredients that I feel make the best tasting version of the apple pie cocktail for this Instructable, enjoy!!

In this instructable you'll learn my technique for making an apple pie cocktail as well as how to make a cool serving glass from an apple that will surely impress whoever may be lucky enough to enjoy this cocktail with you.

Step 1: Ingredients and Materials

Ingredients

• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 tsp of Cloves
• 1 tsp of Allspice
• 1/2 Gallon Sweetened Apple Cider
• 1/2 Gallon Sweetened Apply Juice
• 1/4 Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup White Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Ever Clear Grain Alcohol

Note on Sweetness: These ingredients makes for a very sweet cocktail.  If you'd prefer to cut the sweetness you can withhold the white sugar and/or you can choose to use unsweetened apple cider and/or apple juice.  In any case I would not remove the brown sugar as it adds to the apple pie flavor quite a bit.
Note on Alcohol Content: A lot of the recipes I researched when making this cocktail called for considerably more alcohol to be used.  I have found that 1/2 Cup of Ever Clear is plenty and adding any more distracts from the apple pie flavor of the drink as you are very aware of the strong taste and smell of the alcohol.

Equipment

• Range Top
• Large Pot
• Wooden Spoon
• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Funnel
• Coffee Filter
• 3 or 4 Mason Jars with Lids

The materials and tools for making the Apple Cup can be found on Step 5.

Step 2: Combining and Cooking Ingredients

Making the apple pie cocktail is a pretty simple process but there are some things worth noting that will help to ensure you end up with a great tasting cocktail every time you decide to whip a batch of these up.  

Yield: 3 to 4 mason jars of apple pie cocktail which is enough to serve 10 to 12 drinks depending on the size of your serving glasses.

1. Start by placing your large pot on your range top.
2. Combine the apple cider, apple juice, all spice, white sugar and brown sugar in the large pot and bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Once the mixture reaches a simmer add in the cinnamon sticks and cloves and allow the mixture to continue simmering for 15 to 20 minutes. The longer you simmer the mixture the more flavor will be leeched from the cinnamon sticks and cloves, if you want a really spicy cocktail allow the mixture to simmer longer but be mindful that simmering to long might give your cocktail a slight bitter flavor as the cloves and cinnamon continue to break down.
4. Once your mixture has finished simmering for 15 to 20 minutes turn off the range top and allow your mixture to cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Adding the Alcohol

When the mixture has cooled to room temperature the next step is to add the alcohol. As stated in the ingredients page I opted to use Ever Clear for this cocktail which is a grain alcohol.  The thing about Ever Clear is that it boasts a very high alcohol content so a little bit can go a very long way and adding to much is a sure fire way to ruin your cocktail as the smell and taste of the Ever Clear can easily overpower the apple pie flavor.  On the several occasions that I have made these cocktails I have found that 1/2 cup of Ever Clear is just about the right amount to give the cocktail a nice flavor while still leaving the nice apple pie taste.  To add the alcohol simply measure out the proper amount, and add it to the rest of your ingredients in the large pot.

Note: Ever Clear is ridiculously flammable so please be mindful of open flames when you are measuring and working with it.

Step 4: Straining, Storing, and Serving

With everything combined your apple pie cocktails are essentially done, the only thing left to do is to strain the mixture to remove the cloves and any bits of cinnamon that may have broken free from the stick while simmering.  To strain the mixture place a funnel over the mason jars that you will be using to store the apple pie cocktails and position a coffee filter in the large open end of the funnel as shown in the picture.  Slowly pour the apple pie cocktail mixture through the coffee filter and allow it to drain through the funnel until the mason jar is just about full.  Do this until you have bottled all of the apple pie cocktail and then seal the mason jars with lids and rings.

And that's it, if everything went well you should now have a batch of delicious apple pie cocktails that are sure to wow your friends and family.  These cocktails are great chilled but they really shine when they are just slightly warmed up.

Continue on to the next step to learn how to make a fun apple cup for serving your apple pie cocktails that will definitely impress those who are lucky enjoy to enjoy this cocktail with you.

Step 5: Making the Apple Cup - Ingredients and Tools

Materials and Equipment for Making the Apple Serving Cup

• Apples - Choose a variety of apple that is crisp and fairly large in size, something like red delicious works well.
• Citric Acid - Lemon or grapefruit juice works very well, (citric acid keeps the apple from oxidizing (browning) once it is cut.)
• Paraffin Wax -  This will be used to seal the apple so that the cocktail won't be absorbed through the apple cup  making a mess.
• Cinnamon Stick - Used for garnishing the finished apple cup.
• Tea Spoon
• Knife 

Step 6: Hollowing the Apple

Start by cutting off the top of the apple so that it is parallel to your flat work surface, this will give your cup a nice even rim.  Next use your teaspoon to carve away the inside of the apple working from the center of the apple to the outside until you have reached your desired cup size. My trick for carving these cups is to use a special teaspoon that I sharpened on my belt sander.  If you check the picture you can see the spoon has been sharpened all around the bowl to give it a knife like edge that makes carving a breeze.  (Note that this spoon is also super useful for things like removing the guts from pumpkins and removing watermelon from the rind, just make sure you use an old spoon and not a good one from your wife/mother/grandmother/girlfriend's silverware drawer.)

Step 7: Keeping the Apple Cup From Browning

When you've finished carving your cup you will have to work fast to keep the exposed apple from browning which will make your cup look dingy and less appealing.  Start by coating all of the exposed apple with some form of citric acid i.e. lemon juice or grapefruit juice.  The citric acid slows the oxidization process that makes the apple turn brown giving you more time to do the next step which is to coat the inside of the apple with a thin layer of paraffin wax.

Coating the apple with paraffin wax serves two purposes, first it further helps to keep the apple from turning brown and second it creates a liquid barrier so that your apple pie cocktail won't seep through the glass and make a mess.  To coat your apple simply melt your paraffin wax over a low flame in a heat safe container and once the wax is melted pour it into the hollow you carved in the apple while turning the apple to coat all of the exposed fruit.  Once you're happy with your coating of wax discard any extra wax that is left and you're done.  

Treating your apple cups with citric acid and wax will ensure that they look fantastic until you are ready to use them.  Using this method I have made apple cups that have stayed perfect with no browning for 4 days in my refrigerator. 

Step 8: Serving

With your apple cups all sealed up and looking great the only thing left is to fill them up and serve your lucky guests.  When serving apple pie cocktails in apple cups I like to garnish the cups with half a stick of cinnamon to finish it off.  

Thanks for checking out my Instructable, I hope you enjoyed learning how to make apple pie cocktails and apple cups.  If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comments section and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.