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SPARKLING APPLE PIE COCKTAIL

SPARKLING APPLE PIE COCKTAIL
Loaded with the wonderful flavors of apples, cinnamon, and the sweetness of honey, this Sparkling Apple Pie Cocktail is just perfect for Fall sipping.
For those who know me well, you know I love my bubbles! 
When looking through the cocktails I've shared on The Kitchen is My Playground, I realized I hadn't yet shared a sparkling cocktail for Fall. Sure, I've shared Champagne Margaritas ... and a perfect-for-summer Sparkling Limoncello Cooler ... and even Sparkling Mint Juleps. But nothing just perfect for Fall.
Well, that of course, just had to change. And so I bring you this Sparkling Apple Pie Cocktail. Loaded with the wonderful flavors of apples, cinnamon, and the sweetness of honey, it's just perfect for Fall sipping.
When working on this Sparkling Apple Pie Cocktail, I did run into one little problem though.
The honey!
Loaded with the wonderful flavors of apples, cinnamon, and the sweetness of honey, it's just perfect for Fall sipping.
Now, those of you who know me well also know I'm assistant beekeeper to my beekeeper husband. We adore honey ... in everything. And I adore the hint of honey included in this cocktail.
But do you know what happens when you put honey in a cocktail shaker filled with ice? 
The honey glops up in a big ol' lump on the freezing cold ice, with only about half of it actually dissolving into the cocktail itself. 
And after pouring the cocktail? 
A ribbon of honey sludge is left behind in the cocktail shaker, like it's clinging for dear life to the cocktail shaker sides and ice cubes ... afraid to dive on in to the deliciousness.
But it's actually quite easy to fix this problem.
All you have to do to avoid "honey glop" is make an easy honey simple syrup. Just combine equal parts honey and hot water {hot from the tap ... it doesn't even have to be boiling} and stir until the honey is dissolved. Then let the mixture cool before preparing cocktail.
All you have to do to avoid "honey glop" is make an easy honey simple syrup.
With this quick honey simple syrup solution, it's easy to keep the wonderfully delicious honey sweetness in this cocktail without the trouble of the honey freezing up on the ice cubes. Or glopping up in my cocktail. Or worse yet, getting totally left behind in the cocktail shaker.
I love that.
Another touch I love in this Sparkling Apple Pie Cocktail is one that puts this already-fantastic Fall drink over the top ~ the cinnamon-sugared rim.
I tell ya, when you take a sip of this Sparkling Apple Pie, the cinnamon-sugar rim just adds an extra little jolt of cinnamon and sugar-sweetness that will make you think of a delicious slice of Grandma's apple pie.
A delicious slice of Grandma's apple pie with a drizzle of honey and a sidekick of bubbles, that is. Which, in my book, makes it simply perfect for Fall sipping!
Sparkling Apple Pie Cocktail
Ingredients
For each cocktail:
  • 3 oz. apple juice or apple cider
  • 3/4 oz. cinnamon schnapps
  • 1/2 T. honey
  • 1/2 T. hot water
  • 3 oz. champagne or sparkling wine
  • cinnamon & sugar for rim
  • apple slice for garnish
Directions
  1. Combine honey with hot water; stir until honey is dissolved. Allow to cool before preparing cocktail.
  2. Combine a bit of cinnamon and granulated sugar in a shallow dish. Wet the rim of each glass, all the way around, with water. Dip each rim into cinnamon sugar to coat. Set aside.
  3. Place apple juice, cinnamon schnapps, and cooled honey/water mixture in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for about 20 to 30 seconds until well combined. Strain into prepared glass.
  4. Add champagne and gently stir to combine. Garnish glass with an apple slice.
  5. Enjoy!
Please enjoy these other sparkling cocktails from The Kitchen is My Playground ...