2 oz rye or bourbon
3/4 oz apple cider gastrique
1 tablespoon smoked apple puree*
1 dash Angostura bitters
Shake all ingredients with ice and fine-strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Optionally garnish with a slice of pickled crab apple.
This contemporary take on the Stone Fence is a cocktail I came up with for the 2009 Great American Distillers Festival cocktail competition.
*To make the smoked apple puree, peel a few apples (I use Jonagolds) and slice into wedges. Smoke at a low temperature for several hours until they have absorbed smoke flavor. Puree in a blender, using fresh, unfiltered apple cider to add liquid as necessary. You’ll end up with what’s essentially very aromatic, smoky apple sauce.
[Photo by Paul Willenberg.]
