Winter Orchard Cocktail Recipe

A festive twist on a sour, built around our Hiker's Hut Apple and Honey Gin, spiced apple syrup, and vermouth, shaken to a velvety foam and finished with warm spice garnish.
Ingredients (2 serves):
- 80ml Hiker's Hut Apple and Honey Gin
- 20ml Sweet Vermouth
- 50ml spiced apple syrup (recipe below)
- 30ml fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 20ml Egg white (1 small egg white) or 30ml Aquafaba (chickpea brine)
- Ice
- Ground cinnamon, edible gold powder or a dehydrated apple wheel to garnish
Preparation Method:
- Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake without ice.
- Add ice, shake again for 10–12 seconds until well chilled.
- Fine strain evenly into two chilled cocktail glasses and garnish.
Spiced Apple Syrup (~250ml, enough for ~10 serves)
- 165ml Cloudy apple juice
- 130g Sugar (white, or 50:50 white/brown)
- 2 small cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- Peel of ¼ large orange (no pith)
Method:
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cover and let steep for at least 30 minutes (ideally a few hours).
- Strain out solids, bottle and refrigerate. Shelf life: up to 2 weeks.