Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Gin is infused with apples and pears for extra fall flavor, then paired with apple cider instead of citrus for a more deeply flavored G&T variation that’s perfect for the autumn season.
We made it to #CocktailFriday again! And what a week it’s been…the temperatures are finally cooling down, and last night there was a Harvest Moon. Which means this Autumn Gin & Tonic is about the most perfect drink for your pandemic happy hour tonight ;). It has easy-to-make-at-home apple and pear infused gin and (you guessed it) APPLE CIDER!
I love the deeper flavors that this G&T brings to the party. You still have the same basic recipe: gin + juice/acid + tonic. But here, you’re replacing what would normally be citrus juice with apple cider, so the drink overall becomes less acidic and a little sweeter. Plus the infused gin pairs perfectly with the cider to create those fall flavors I was looking for.
With a drink like a G&T, you never want to forget the garnishes! Gin is aromatic naturally thanks to all the botanicals used to make it. When you sip, some fresh herbs (and in this case, a cinnamon stick and slice of apple too) really help bring out the full flavors of the drink. Not to mention that you drink with your eyes too!
why you should
Infuse Your Gin
While you could use gin right from the bottle, infusing it with apple and pear yields a deeper, more complex flavor that matches the apple cider no matter the brand of gin you use. Bonus: throw in a cinnamon stick for even more fall flavor!
The infusion bottle you see here has a screw off bottom so you don’t have to try to squeeze anything through the narrow bottle pour spout. Once you add the apple and pear slices (and optional cinnamon stick), seal the bottom back up and use a small kitchen funnel to fill the bottle with gin, completely covering the fruit. Let it rest for 1-2 weeks before straining out the fruit.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this Autumn Gin & Tonic recipe:
- Gin – I went with an award-winning, local Virginia gin for this one (Catoctin Creek) because it’s easy drinking and has notes of cinnamon and citrus. Ford’s Gin would be another good option. See below for more gin recommendations.
- Apple cider – I went with regular apple cider, but spiced will work too!
- Tonic water – If you want more bold fall flavor, swap this out with some ginger beer.
- Apple – This is for infusing the gin, so go with a hardy apple like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. I prefer the sweetness of the Honeycrisp.
- Pear – This is also for infusing the gin, and again a hardy pear like Bosc or Anjou is best.
- Garnishes – Don’t skip out on the fresh herb garnish! A sprig of fresh rosemary and stick of cinnamon are for more than looks. You breathe in those aromatics with every sip, making this an even better fall cocktail experience.
all about spirits
Gin Recommendations
Gin is distilled from grains and primarily flavored with juniper. It’s known for herbal and botanical notes that come from infusions of herbs, spices, flowers, and fruits. The flavors can be incredibly complex (and delicious).
Here are some gins that I’ve tried, enjoyed, and recommend:
- Citadelle Gin – A versatile gin with plenty of flavor and a gorgeous bottle.
- Plymouth Gin – Another versatile gin that you can’t go wrong with. The flavor isn’t overpowering, so it’s great for mixing.
- Barr Hill Gin – Small batch gin that’s slightly sweet thanks to honey. Can get lost if mixing with this one.
- St. George’s Botanivore Gin – Slightly spicy and herbal, this one has stronger, more distinctive flavors than some others on this list.
- Hendrick’s Gin – A benchmark type of gin with traditional herbal flavor that’s also infused with rose and cucumber.
- Ford’s Gin – An easy going gin that’s less expensive and great for mixing.
- Empress 1908 Gin (Indigo) – A milder gin with gorgeous purple color that changes to pink when mixed with acidic ingredients.
- The Botanist Gin – A more robust gin with traditional flavors at a reasonable price.
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Autumn Gin & Tonic
Ingredients
- 8 oz Fever Tree Tonic Water
- 4 oz gin, (plus more for infusing)
- 3 oz apple cider
- 1 Macintosh or other red apple, sliced
- 1 red pear, sliced
Instructions
- Add apple and pear slices to a 32 oz mason jar, then add enough gin to cover the fruit, about 10 oz. Note that you'll only need 2 oz of infused gin per serving.
- Allow the gin to rest for 7 days in a cool, dark spot. Strain fruit from the gin and return to a clean mason jar for storing any that you don't drink right away.
- Add ice to 2 lowball glasses, then divide ingredients evenly between the glasses. Garnish with dried apple, cinnamon stick, and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
Nutrition Information
More Fall Cocktails to Love
Check out some of the original photos for this recipe from 2020!
