When we spend an evening doing a martini crawl, we always stop to visit our favorite bartender, Jared. As we love all of the concoctions he makes, we always are willing to sample something new. One of Jared’s classic drinks is the Apple Picker.

Like all of his beverages, Jared uses only the best ingredients and makes the drink as appealing visually as it is in flavor. Between excellent presentation, delicious tastes, and exceptional conversation, you are assured of a great time.

When trying the Apple Picker, we were curious as to what inspired this drink. Jared shared the following story with us, “When I was a young boy, it was a family (and neighborhood) ritual to go to ‘Pick your own Apples’ during the late summer at one of our town’s local farms.The ingredients for ‘The Apple Picker’ reflect my mom’s homemade apple crisp and apple pie made from those apples.”

To enjoy your own crisp, fresh-picked apple in grown-up fashion, try this recipe

Apple Picker Martini

2 oz. Sour Apple Pucker

2 oz. General John Stark Vodka

1 oz. caramel/honey simple syrup (see recipe below)

ice

Grade A maple syrup

cinnamon sugar

Rim inside of 6 ounce chilled martini glass with maple syrup. Tip glass over a dish filled with cinnamon sugar and rotate glass until coated with a generous amount.

Pour Sour Apple Pucker and vodka into a martini shaker filled with ice. Add simple syrup. Secure cover and shake diligently for 10 seconds. Pour into martini glass. The drink should be a soft caramel green and should be about 1/8 inch below the rim, so the liquid does not touch the cinnamon sugar.

Using a maple twig as a skewer, punch it through an apple wedge with skin side facing up. Place garnish into drink and serve.

Notes:

Maple syrup should be grade A, as it’s thicker and will not drip as easily into the glass. The chilled glass also will help prevent dripping.

Vox Green Apple is a suitable replacement if General John Stark Vodka is not available.

Caramel/Honey Simple Syrup

1 liter water

1 cup sugar

1 cup prepared caramel syrup

1/2 cup honey

Pour water into stock pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high, add sugar, and stir. Add caramel and stir. Then add honey and stir. Continue to stir for 1 minute, then allow to simmer for a few minutes.

The syrup’s consistency should be on the thin side, so you are able to dispense the syrup from a squirt bottle.

Makes about 1 quart of caramel/honey simple syrup.