Poisoned Orchard Cocktail Recipe
We're getting spooky around here with this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail. Bursting with apple flavor, this signature Halloween cocktail is perfect for your upcoming costume party or a night curled up on the couch watching scary movies with a few friends.
How to Make the Best Poisoned Orchard Cocktail
This Poisoned Orchard Cocktail is the perfect drink to serve at your Halloween party or fall gathering. With its deep amber color and spicy-sweet apple flavor, it’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. The signature dry ice effect makes it a showstopper that’ll have your guests talking all night.
The star of this cocktail is the homemade apple spice simple syrup—it’s what gives this drink its distinctive flavor and sophisticated depth. By steeping apple slices with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, you create a fragrant syrup that plays beautifully with the dark rum and apple brandy. The cran-apple juice adds tartness and that festive crimson hue.
Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail enthusiast or just looking for something special to serve at your next gathering, this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail delivers elegant flavor and theatrical presentation. Make the syrup ahead of time, and you’ll have an impressive drink ready to shake up in minutes.
Poisoned Orchard Cocktail
We're getting spooky around here with this Poisoned Orchard Cocktail. Bursting with apple flavor, this signature Halloween cocktail is perfect for your upcoming costume party or a night curled up on the couch watching scary movies with a few friends.
Ingredients
Apple Spice Simple Syrup
Cocktail
Instructions
Apple Spice Simple Syrup
- Add the sugar, water, apple slices and spices to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a low boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- When the sugar dissolves, let the simple syrup steep for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes to an hour for deeper flavor.
- Strain and chill. If you'd like a rimmed glass for serving, reserve an apple slice or two. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Cocktail
- Add cran-apple juice, dark rum, apple brandy, apple spice simple syrup, lemon juice and regular ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Pop on the top and shake vigorously for about 15-30 seconds.
- Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on a small plate and stir to combine. Take one of the reserved apple slices, cut it in the middle and run it along the rim of your glass. Dip the glass in the cinnamon and sugar mixture (optional).
- Add regular ice to your glass if not using dry ice. Strain in the drink from the cocktail shaker.
- Top with ginger beer and gently stir. If using dry ice, add a small piece to the bottom of your glass using tongs (not bare hands). Let guests know not to swallow the dry ice—sip from the top until it stops steaming or wait about five minutes before drinking.
Notes
- If making for a crowd, scale up the proportions accordingly.
- The apple spice simple syrup can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Never touch dry ice with bare hands—always use tongs.