Winter Orchard

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:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake without ice.
2. Add ice, shake again for 10–12 seconds until well chilled.
3. 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:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, cover and let steep for at least 30 minutes (ideally a few hours).
3. Strain out solids, bottle and refrigerate. Shelf life: up to 2 weeks.