Description

Indulge in a Caramel Apple Bourbon Flip! This rich, creamy cocktail tastes like a liquid caramel apple. The ultimate cozy fall dessert drink

Ingredients

Precision is key for a flip, as the balance between spirit, sweetness, and acid is crucial for a harmonious result. Using high-quality ingredients will elevate your flip from good to sublime.

The Core Spirits & Liqueurs:

2 oz Bourbon: Choose a bourbon with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. A mid-shelf option like Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, or Woodford Reserve is perfect. Their inherent sweetness and warmth form the ideal base.
1 oz Apple Liqueur or Apple Brandy (Calvados): This is the primary source of the “apple” flavor. A high-quality apple liqueur like Berentzen or Dr. McGillicuddy’s will work well. For a drier, more sophisticated and aromatic apple character, Calvados (French apple brandy) is the gold standard.
0.5 oz Caramel Liqueur or Syrup: Butterscotch schnapps (like DeKuyper) can be used, but for a richer, more authentic flavor, a dedicated caramel liqueur (like Caravella) or even a high-quality, thick caramel coffee syrup (like Monin) is superior.

The “Flip” Components:

1 Whole Large Egg: This is the non-negotiable star of the show. The egg white creates the magnificent foam, while the yolk provides unparalleled richness, color, and a velvety texture. Use the freshest eggs you can find.
0.5 oz Real Maple Syrup (Grade A Dark): This is our sweetener and flavor enhancer. Maple syrup complements the caramel and apple notes beautifully, adding a deep, woody sweetness that white sugar cannot match.
2-3 Dashes of Aromatic Bitters (e.g., Angostura): These are essential for balance. The complex blend of spices and botanicals in the bitters cuts through the richness of the egg and sweetness of the liqueurs, adding a necessary layer of complexity.

The Flavor Enhancers:

A Pinch of Fine Sea Salt: This is the secret weapon. Salt will amplify all the other flavors and prevent the cocktail from tasting one-dimensionally sweet.
A Pinch of Ground Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice: For that essential autumnal warmth.

For the Garnish & Presentation:

Additional Ground Cinnamon or Grated Nutmeg: For dusting on the foam.
A Thin Apple Slice or a Small Twist of Lemon Zest: For a fresh, aromatic garnish.
A Cinnamon Stick: Optional, but makes for a beautiful stirrer and aroma dispenser.

Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the steps for making this delightful Caramel Apple Bourbon Flip. It’s as easy as pie, and I promise you’ll feel like a master mixologist!

Step 1: Prepare Your Glassware
Begin by chilling your preferred glass—a coupe glass is traditional and elegant for a flip, but a sturdy rocks glass also works well. Place it in the freezer while you prepare the cocktail. A frosty glass is crucial for maintaining the drink’s temperature.

Step 2: The “Dry” Shake – Building the Foundation of the Foam
In a Boston shaker (highly recommended for this), combine the 2 oz of bourbon, 1 oz of apple liqueur, 0.5 oz of caramel liqueur, 0.5 oz of maple syrup, the whole egg, the pinch of salt, and the pinch of cinnamon. Do not add ice yet. Secure the lid tightly. Shake this mixture as vigorously as you can for a full 30-45 seconds. This “dry shake” is absolutely critical for emulsifying the egg and creating a stable, voluminous, and silky foam.

Step 3: The Iced Shake for Chill and Dilution
Now, open your shaker and add a generous scoop of fresh, high-quality ice. Secure the lid again. Shake this mixture with the same vigor for another 20-30 seconds. The shaker will become very cold. This second shake chills the drink, provides the necessary dilution from the melting ice to mellow the alcohol, and further aerates the mixture.

Step 4: The Fine Strain and Pour
This step is key for a flawless texture. Remove the lid from your shaker and use a Hawthorne strainer to hold back the ice. Then, use a fine-mesh strainer placed over your chilled glass to perform a “double-strain.” Pour the cocktail through both strainers. This will catch any small ice shards and, most importantly, any little bits of cooked egg or chalazae (the white cord in the egg), resulting in an impeccably smooth and visually perfect pour with a thick head of foam.

Step 5: The Artistic Finish – Garnish
Wait a moment for the dense, creamy foam to rise and settle at the top of the glass. Using a small fine-mesh strainer or tea infuser, gently dust the surface of the foam with a little extra ground cinnamon or nutmeg. For the final touch, place a thin, fresh apple slice on the rim of the glass or rest a cinnamon stick on top.

Step 6: Serve with Instruction
This is a cocktail that benefits from a little guidance. Encourage your guest to first smell the aromatic spices on the foam, then to sip the drink directly through the creamy top layer for the full textural experience.

Notes

Boston Shaker or a very sturdy Cobbler Shaker
Hawthorne Strainer
Fine-Mesh Strainer
Jigger for precise measurement

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Category: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 280
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 4g