The Perfect Fall Cocktail
Arguably, our most favorite southern past-time in the fall is sitting around a bonfire, listening to music, and enjoying the company of friends with a fall cocktail. Bourbon is the spirit of the South, but some find it too strong on its own. For those people, I say, “Look alive out there. Get in the game. Drink the bourbon.” But if bourbon served neat is too much or just not your style, maybe try a bourbon fall cocktail.
Coach is a big bourbon fan, and really enjoys a spirit-forward cocktail, but for guests who like a more subtle drink, the Fox Hollow is a perfect choice.
The warm flavors of spiced apple butter, ginger syrup, and bourbon are as quintessentially fall as you can get. Seriously, I’m pretty sure it’s a crime to drink one of these without wearing a scarf. It’s a great introduction to bourbon and to fall in the South. Forget pumpkin spice. This is what you want for fall.
Make a Signature Cocktail for Book Club
The great thing about this cocktail is that it is versatile and enjoyed by most. It’s not too sweet, it’s not too strong, it’s just right for any fall get-together you might have.
I added a marshmallow ghost on a straw for a whimsical book club cocktail. You could garnish with clove-studded orange peels, and apple slice and cinnamon stick.
What Kind of Bourbon?
Let’s talk about bourbon for a minute. You won’t be around bourbon people for long before stories of Pappy and Weller and E.H. Taylor start floating around. If you have a nice bottle of bourbon, DO NOT USE IT FOR COCKTAILS. Don’t do it. Do. Not.
Listen, expensive bourbon is not making the drink any better, and you’re watering down a spirit meant for sipping and enjoying. NEAT. Find a moderately priced, high proof bourbon.
For this cocktail, we use Evan Williams Bottled in Bond (white label) or Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond. They are both 100 proof, so they hold up well in the apple butter and ginger syrup. Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond is only sold in Kentucky, and it has been recently discontinued, so unless you already have it, chances are you won’t get it, but any high proof bourbon will work.
The Fox Hollow
Ingredients are key here. There aren’t a lot of components to this drink. Again, get a high-proof bourbon. Make your own ginger syrup. Find good apple butter. I make ours. Maybe your mom or grandmother makes it. If not, check Farmer’s Markets and specialty stores. Or make your own. It isn’t difficult. Maybe I’ll teach you someday…
This is Coach’s version of a drink we had at Gray’s on Main in Franklin, TN. They used Armagnac, a brandy from the southwest region of France. Coach uses bourbon from the southern region of the United States. Kentucky, specifically. I might be biased, but get your bourbon from Kentucky. They know what they’re doing.
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The Fox Hollow
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: Cocktail
Description
The warm flavors of spiced apple butter, ginger syrup, and bourbon are as quintessentially fall as you can get. Seriously, I’m pretty sure it’s a crime to drink one of these without wearing a scarf. It’s a great introduction to bourbon and to fall in the South. Forget pumpkin spice. This is what you want for fall.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Evan Williams Bottled in Bond 100 proof Bourbon (You need a high proof bourbon. Regardless of the brand, look for bottled in bond bourbon)
- 1 ounce apple butter
- 3/4 ounce ginger syrup
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 2 dashes of Old Fashioned Bitters
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients. Add ice to a shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Pour into an old fashioned glass over a large sphere of ice.
- Garnish with an apple slice.
- You can add decorative garnishes for holidays. Holly…. Ghost peeps… Rosemary sprigs…
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 262
- Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Protein: 0
Keywords: bourbon, fall cocktail, cocktail