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Cocktail History
The Humble Pie is an autumn cocktail that was created by bartender Sean Hoard in Portland and was first published in a 2021 issue of Imbibe magazine. Meant to be an interpretation of the ingredients used to make filling for the classic apple pie usually served around the holidays, the recipe mixes equal-parts apple brandy and Scotch whisky with ginger and brown sugar syrups, allspice liqueur, aromatic bitters, and pepper to amazing effect.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Apple Brandy: This is a type of brandy made with apples, pears, spices, sugar, and alcohol. We used Calvados because it’s a high-quality apple-flavored brandy with notes of pear, apricot, and baking spices. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative and apple cider in place of the apple brandy.
Blended Scotch: This is a type of Scotch whisky that combines multiple single malt whiskies made with malted barley, yeast, and water. We used The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky because its smoky and sweet flavor works well in cocktails. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Escape Mocktails Green Label Single Malt Whiskey Non-Alcoholic Alternative in place of the whisky.
Ginger Syrup: This is a sweetener made with ginger, white sugar, gum Arabic powder, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s sous vide recipe.
Demerara Syrup: This is a sweetener made with Demerara sugar and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Allspice Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with allspice berries, spices, sugar, and rum. We used St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram. For a mocktail version of this drink, try homemade allspice Demerara syrup in place of the allspice liqueur.
Aromatic Bitters: This is a food product made with botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Angostura Aromatic Bitters. For a mocktail version of this drink, try All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters.
Black Pepper: This is a seasoning. We used Simply Organic Whole Black Peppercorns.
Candied Ginger: This is a slice of dried ginger root that has been rolled in sugar.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. We used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. We used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Tasting Notes
The Humble Pie has light aromas of fruit, a sugary sweet taste of malty Scotch at first followed by sweet apple and spicy ginger, and a finish with the lingering and pleasant burn of allspice, ginger, brandy, and slight pepper.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We both found ourselves loving the delicious combination of flavors in the Humble Pie, and we also completely agreed that it really is reminiscent of a warm, spicy, and nostalgic apple pie.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I found this on Imbibe several years ago and had to try it, and I’m so glad I did. This take on the Old Fashioned takes a ton of disparate flavors and makes them work together to create something that’s bigger than the sum of its parts. Although plenty spicy, this cocktail is still balanced and palatable, and it’s definitely reminiscent of the orange-tinged holidays to come.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a drink that mimicked the flavor of a pie filling quite as well as this one does. I’m actually not big on apple pie because I don’t care for the texture of warm apples, but I would absolutely consume it in cocktail form. I think there might have been a touch too much ginger burn in this one, but that aside, the Humble Pie is a really great recipe. I can see why Alex wanted us both to try it this year.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from an issue of Imbibe magazine.
Add apple brandy, whisky, ginger syrup, demerara syrup, allspice liqueur, bitters, black pepper, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cubed ice.
Garnish with candied ginger.
Ingredients
Directions
Add apple brandy, whisky, ginger syrup, demerara syrup, allspice liqueur, bitters, black pepper, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cubed ice.
Garnish with candied ginger.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative and apple cider in place of the apple brandy, Escape Mocktails Green Label Single Malt Whiskey Non-Alcoholic Alternative in place of the whisky, homemade allspice Demerara syrup in place of the allspice liqueur, and All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Autumn Cocktails
If you like this autumn-inspired cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Pumpkin Spiked Horchata: A bourbon cocktail made with horchata, coffee liqueur, pumpkin spice syrup, cardamom and caramelized raisin bitters, a cinnamon stick, and pumpkin pie spice
Spiced Pumpkin Punch: A gin cocktail made with apple cider, pumpkin purée, honey syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon sticks
Falling Leaves: A rye cocktail made with Amaro Montenegro, toasted fig syrup, chocolate bitters, and an orange slice
Pumpkin Spiced Russian: A vodka cocktail made with coffee liqueur, milk, caramel sauce, pumpkin spice syrup, and a cinnamon stick
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