Cocktail of the Month: Salted Caramel Apple
There’s something magical about autumn. The air turns crisp, the leaves put on their fiery display, and the first sip of warm cider at the orchard feels like a homecoming. For many of us, fall tastes like apples, caramel, and just a hint of salt on the breeze. That memory is exactly what inspired this month’s featured cocktail: The Salted Caramel Apple.
This drink is a nod to two seasonal classics—the caramel apple and the timeless tradition of sipping cider on a cool evening. The story of the caramel apple goes back to the 1950s, when a Kraft employee experimented with leftover Halloween candy by dipping tart apples into melted caramel. The sweet-and-sour combination quickly became a staple at carnivals and county fairs, bringing sticky smiles to kids and adults alike.
The Salted Caramel Apple takes that nostalgic treat and elevates it for the season—no sticks or sticky fingers required. Instead, you’ll enjoy all those flavors wrapped up neatly in a glass, layered with the rich depth of Eight Oaks’ Aged Applejack.
The Recipe
Ingredients
- Course sea salt (for rim)
- Caramel sauce (for drizzle)
- 2 oz Eight Oaks Aged Applejack
- Fresh apple cider (to fill glass)
Instructions
- Rim your glass with coarse sea salt, echoing the satisfying contrast of sweet and savory.
- Drizzle caramel inside the glass—the golden ribbon that sets the stage for indulgence.
- Pour in 2 oz of Aged Applejack, the spirit born from apples harvested right here in Pennsylvania soil.
- Fill to the top with fresh apple cider, stirred just enough to bring it all together.
A Toast to Fall Traditions
The Salted Caramel Apple is more than a cocktail—it’s the taste of harvest season captured in a glass.
The oaky, spiced notes of Aged Applejack mingle with the brightness of cider, while caramel adds comfort and nostalgia. The salted rim reminds us of balance: the way fall is equal parts cozy and lively, familiar yet fleeting.
Whether you’re gathered around a fire pit, hosting friends after a day at the orchard, or simply savoring a quiet evening at home, this cocktail turns any moment into a seasonal celebration.
So raise your glass, breathe in the scent of apples and caramel, and toast to autumn’s sweetest traditions.
