Fall Apple & Herb Smash
Prep: 10 minutes • Serves: 2
Apple-Herb Shrub
4 thyme sprigs
1 cinnamon stick
1 medium Honeycrisp apple, grated
1/3 cup PICS granulated sugar
1/3 cup PICS apple cider vinegar
Fall Apple & Herb Smash
1 fluid ounce (2 tablespoons) simple syrup
4 thin slices Honeycrisp apple plus additional for garnish
3 thin slices fresh ginger
1/4 lemon, cut into wedges
Ice
2 fluid ounces (1/4 cup) lemon sparkling seltzer water
Sage leaves for garnish
1. Apple-Herb Shrub: Toss sage, thyme, cinnamon, apple and sugar in medium bowl; cover and refrigerate at least 2 or up to 6 days. Strain herb mixture through fine-mesh strainer into small bowl, pressing on solids to extract liquid; whisk in vinegar. Transfer to an airtight container; refrigerate up to 3 months. Makes about 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup).
2. Fall Apple & Herb Smash: In cocktail shaker, muddle bourbon, simple syrup, apple, ginger and lemon with muddler or wooden spoon handle; add 2 fluid ounces (1/4 cup) Apple-Herb Shrub. Fill shaker halfway with ice; cover and shake vigorously.
3. Fill 2 (12-ounce) highball glasses with ice; strain bourbon mixture into glasses. Top with seltzer; garnish with apple slices and/or sage leaves.
Approximate nutritional values per serving:
254 Calories, 0g Fat (0g Saturated), 0mg Cholesterol,
3mg Sodium, 40g Carbohydrates, 2g Fiber, 0g Protein
Chef Tip:
To make simple syrup: Stir a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water in a small saucepan (i.e., 1 cup sugar to 1 cup water), and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture is clear; do not stir. Similar to a pestle, a muddler is a long stick used to mash fruits, herbs and spices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker or glass.