Washington Apple Shot
A fruity, bubbly and refreshing whiskey cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 13.1% ABV ∙
The Washington Apple Shot is a stirred shot of Canadian whisky, sour apple liqueur, and cranberry juice, topped with a splash of soda.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir the first 3 ingredients with ice: Canadian blended whisky 20 mlSour apple liqueur 15 mlCranberry juice 20 ml
- Strain into the chilled glass
- Top with Soda water
Tips
- Stir only the whisky, apple liqueur, and cranberry juice with ice; add the soda after straining so it keeps its fizz.
History
The Washington Apple is a shot or short cocktail of Canadian whisky, sour apple liqueur, and cranberry juice that became popular in the United States in the 1990s and early 2000s. A widely repeated origin story credits a Washington state carpenter named Christof Guycoogan, who supposedly stumbled into a pile of rotten apples after a pest outbreak in the state's orchards in the late 1980s. He then, the tale goes, splashed the juice into his usual whisky and cranberry and later fermented the fruit into an apple liqueur.
That story traces to a self-published 2021 e-book by a Seattle-area writer named Randy Woodward and has been repeated across recipe sites without independent verification. Journalists who investigated it found no evidence for Guycoogan's existence or the orchard-pest incident. A separate, likewise unverified theory credits a New York City bartender, as a nod to the "Big Apple." No verifiable creator or origin has been established.
FAQ
What is a Washington Apple shot?
A stirred shot of Canadian whisky, sour apple liqueur, and cranberry juice, topped with a splash of soda water. It tastes tart and sweet.
How do you make a Washington Apple shot?
Stir 20 ml Canadian whisky, 15 ml sour apple liqueur, and 20 ml cranberry juice with ice. Strain into a chilled shot glass and top with 10 ml soda water.
How strong is a Washington Apple shot?
It comes in at about 13.1% ABV, milder than a straight whisky shot because it is stretched with apple liqueur, cranberry juice, and a soda top.
How do I make a Washington Apple with Crown Royal?
Use it as the whisky. Crown Royal is a Canadian blended whisky, which is what the recipe calls for, so the amounts and method stay the same; only the whisky's flavor changes.
