Cocktail: How Do You Like Dem Apples

This just might be the ultimate apple cocktail. It doesn't just have apple cider or apple brandy but also features an apple-based spirit, Half Moon Orchard Gin, which is made from wheat and apples by Tuthilltown Spirits in New York.

Bartender Frank Mills at Roofers Union in Adams-Morgan created this drink for a recent D.C. food bloggers happy hour, a really fun evening featuring a number of apple dishes created by chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley. Frank served the drink as a punch, but the recipe below, which he was kind enough to share with me, is scaled for a single serving. Feel free to scale up if you're having a party--this would make a great fall event cocktail, including a pre-Thanksgiving dinner drink.

How Do You Like Dem Apples
Created by Roofers Union bartender Frank Mills

2 oz. Red Jacket apple cider
1 oz. Half Moon Orchard Gin (gin made with apples and wheat)
1/2 oz. Laird's Apple Brandy
1/2 oz. Domino light brown sugar (a heaping tablespoon)
1/4 oz. lemon juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin slice of apple.