Apricot Twist

Apricot twist

by Chris Lehault

Cider makes for an excellent cocktail ingredient. It lightens drinks while adding both depth and character. Perfect for highballs, coolers, and even fluted drinks, the cider’s diversity as a cocktail mixer makes it one of the most overlooked ingredients behind the bar today. For these recipes I want to stay close to the cocktail tradition but also create drinks that reflected Washington’s revival of small-batch distilling. Each recipe is a variation on a classic.

The combination of apricot and thyme is one of favorites. At New York’s The Spotted Pig you can get a fantastic cocktail called the Apricot Rhyme that combines thyme-infused simple syrup with apricotinfused rye. But who has time to plan their cocktails ahead of time like that? This is is a punchy highball where luscious apricot notes, spicy ginger liqueur, and a whisper of citrus all elevate Tieton’s Apricot Cider. Is it faithful to the Rhyme? Not at all. Is it delicious? Absolutely.

2 oz Oola Vodka

1.5oz Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot Liqueur

1 oz Canton Ginger Liqueur

1 oz lime juice

4 oz Tieton Apricot

1 dash Bitterman’s hopped grapefruit bitters (sub Orange bitters)

Garnish with a sprig of thyme Instructions: Shake the gin, liqueurs, lime juice, and bitters in a chilled cocktails shaker with ice. Strain into a highball glass and top with Tieton Apricot Cider.

Gently stir to combine and garnish with a sprig of thyme.