This Plum Cider Smash is the perfect fall cocktail! Cozy up with hard cider, whiskey, and plums in this perfectly spiced autumn drink.
About a year ago, my husband Jon started getting into making cocktails. We always love getting fun drinks when we go out, so it’s a natural extension to want to make them at home. Over the summer we were on a spicy margarita kick, but this fall I’m using in-season fruits to make drinks. Enter this Plum Cider Smash. A smash cocktail gets its name from the process of muddling fruit and herbs together in the drink (traditionally mint and citrus). But why not use that method for other flavors? Plums are naturally juicy, so they’re a perfect fit for this type of cocktail. Paired with cozy autumn spices and whiskey, it’s a match made in heaven!
The apple cider smash is a classic iteration of smash, but there were some plums at the farmer’s market that were just calling my name. But plums and apple cider pair beautifully together, as you will see when you make this cocktail! I hope you love it as much as I do! :)
Plum Cider Smash FAQs
What makes a cocktail a Smash?
A smash gets its name from the process of muddling, or smashing, ingredients together like citrus and mint. In this recipe, we use plums to create the smashed fruit flavor!
What is the best alcohol to mix with apple cider?
Whiskey or bourbon are classic pairings with apple cider. Because whiskey can have notes of vanilla, caramel, or honey, the flavor goes extremely well with sweet and tart apple cider.
Is this the same thing as a bourbon cider smash cocktail?
Technically no, because whiskey and bourbon aren’t the same thing. But you can absolutely use bourbon instead of whiskey in this recipe!
What is the difference between whiskey and bourbon?
Whiskey is an alcohol made from grains, such as corn, barley, and wheat. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that must be made from at least 51% percent corn grains in order to be called bourbon. So, all bourbons are whiskeys, but not all whiskeys are bourbon.
What’s the difference between whiskey and whisky?
These two spellings are used differently in various countries. For example, in America, we usually use the spelling “whiskey”. Ireland also uses this version. Whisky, on the other hand, is how people from Scotland or Canada usually spell the word.
What is apple cider and whiskey called?
When cocktails are made from apple cider and whiskey, it’s usually in the form of a smash. However, you can just add in a shot of whiskey into your glass of apple cider for a simple, tasty drink!
Is this a hard cider cocktail?
This comes down to a difference in syntax. This cocktail is made from hard liquor (aka whiskey). But I do not use hard cider itself, like Angry Orchard, in the recipe. So technically, this is not a hard cider cocktail.
Do hard cider and whiskey go together?
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this pairing because with a hard cider that already contains alcohol + whiskey, you’d be making a very alcoholic drink!! But hey, to each their own!
Plum Cider Smash
Ingredients
- 2 Plums
- 3 oz Gin
- 4 oz Apple Cider
- 1/2 oz Freshly-Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
- Pinch Cinnamon
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks for garnish, optional
- Ice Cubes
Instructions
- Cut up your plums, reserving 4-5 slices for garnish later on in your finished cocktails.
- Add the cut up plum to a cocktail shaker, then muddle with a muddler or sturdy wooden spoon. Muddle the plums until they're totally mushed up.
- Then, add the gin, apple cider, simple syrup, lemon juice, and a pinch of cinnamon to the cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes. Shake vigorously for at least 30-40 seconds, until cocktail shaker is ice cold.
- Prep two cocktail classes by filling them to the brim with ice. Pour the gin smash over a strainer into the glasses so that they're evenly filled. Use a spoon to press any liquid out from the plum pulp.
- Garnish your drinks with cinnamon sticks and plum slices, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
P.S.
For more plant-forward recipes and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
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