The Orchard Old Fashioned | DJ Liquor Cocktail Recipes

There's a moment every fall when the air turns crisp, the leaves start crunching under your boots, and suddenly all you want is something warm in your hands and good people around you.

Maybe it's a Friday night bonfire with the neighbors. Maybe it's a Saturday tailgate where everyone's bundled up and arguing about the refs. Or maybe it's just you on the porch, watching the sun go down a little earlier than it did last week.

This cocktail was made for those moments! Meet the Orchard Old Fashioned, a fall cocktail you can make with a quick stop at DJ Liquor in Hutchinson, KS. It's apple cider, a splash of lemon, a little maple, and your pick of whiskey or vodka. It's simple enough to make for a crowd, cozy enough to sip by yourself, and it tastes exactly like fall feels. Serve it over ice or warm it up in your favorite mug. Either way, you can't go wrong!

The Recipe

Makes 1 drink

• 1.5 oz whiskey or vodka

• 4 oz apple cider

• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

• 1/4 oz maple syrup (optional, for a little extra sweetness)

• Dash of cinnamon

• Garnish: apple slice and a cinnamon stick

Served cold: Add everything to a shaker with ice. Shake for about 10 seconds, strain over fresh ice, and garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.

Served hot: Warm the cider and maple syrup in a small pot over medium heat until steaming, but don't let it boil. Pour into a mug, stir in your spirit and lemon juice, and top with a cinnamon stick.

Making it for a crowd? Multiply by eight and you've got a pitcher (or a slow cooker for the hot version) ready for the whole party: 12 oz spirit, 32 oz cider, 4 oz lemon juice, and 2 oz maple syrup. If you're serving it warm, add the spirit right before guests arrive so it doesn't cook off.

A Few Tips Before You Pour

• Use real apple cider. The cloudy, unfiltered kind from the fall aisle has more flavor than clear apple juice.

• Rim it. Mix a little cinnamon and sugar on a plate and dip the rim of your glass for an extra cozy touch.

• Taste as you go. Ciders vary in sweetness, so you might want more lemon or less maple depending on your bottle.

Grab Your Bottle at DJ's

Fall is short here in Hutchinson, so make the most of every crisp night while it lasts. Stop by DJ Liquor, your neighborhood liquor store in Hutchinson, Kansas, to pick up your whiskey, vodka, and apple cider cocktail essentials, and our team will happily point you toward a favorite. For the record, Tini has already picked her team (vodka, obviously). Which side are you on?

High in Spirits, Low in Prices.

Please enjoy responsibly, 21+ only!