Grave Digger Cocktail

A Grave Digger Cocktail will add a delicious little spookiness to your Halloween party this year. This easy-to-make seasonal drink is quick to prepare and tasty – you and your guests will love it!

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What’s a Halloween party without a spooky cocktail for the adults?

This Grave Digger cocktail is everything you’re grown up Halloween gathering needs. It’s apple-ginger flavor topped with whiskey appeals to both men and women alike.

Serve this beverage in creepy glasses to make the cocktail even more perfect!

Why This Recipe Works

This is a quick and easy cocktail to whip up. You need just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to make it.

It’s a very tasty drink with many possible variations. You can find some of our recommendations further down.

This is the perfect cocktail to serve at grown up halloween parties and social gatherings.

Step By Step Instructions

Ingredients

• 3 ounce hard cider
• 1 ounce whiskey: since the whiskey is a significant component of this cocktail, consider using a higher-quality whiskey to enhance the overall taste and experience.
• Ginger ale: you can use regular ginger ale for a milder ginger flavor or opt for a spicy ginger ale or ginger beer to add more kick to your cocktail. Choose the one that complements your taste preferences.
• Ice
• Rosemary Springs (garnish)

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

There is no prep work for this recipe.

Create!

Fill a glass with ice and add the whiskey and hard cider. Stir to combine.

Top with ginger ale.

Garnish with rosemary sprigs.

Chef’s Tip: for a smoky effect, carefully use a blow torch to light the edges of the rosemary sprigs.

Present!

Serve immediately.

Variations

Spiced Cider Variation: Instead of plain hard cider, use spiced cider for an extra festive touch. Spiced cider usually contains warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which pair wonderfully with whiskey.

Maple Syrup Sweetener: If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, replace the ginger ale with ginger beer and add a splash of maple syrup to the mix. The maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and autumnal flavor to the drink.

Smoky Whiskey Twist: Use a smoky whiskey variety like Islay Scotch to give the cocktail a rich, smoky flavor. This adds complexity and depth to the drink, making it perfect for those who enjoy smokier spirits.

Apple Slice Garnish: Slice a thin piece of apple and float it on top of the cocktail as a garnish. The apple slice not only looks impressive but also adds a fruity and crisp element to the drink.

Cinnamon Stick Stirrer: Use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer instead of a regular spoon. This not only adds a touch of fall spice to the cocktail but also enhances the visual appeal of your Grave Digger.

Mocktail Variation: If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute the whiskey with apple juice or apple cider and use ginger ale as the base. The rosemary garnish will still provide a lovely aroma.

Tips and Techniques

• Adjust Whiskey to Cider Ratio: The recipe calls for a 3:1 ratio of hard cider to whiskey. If you prefer a stronger whiskey flavor, increase the whiskey amount. Conversely, if you prefer a milder taste, you can reduce the whiskey and add more cider.
• Chill Your Ingredients: To ensure a refreshing cocktail, make sure your hard cider and ginger ale are chilled before mixing. You can also pre-chill the glass to keep your drink cold for longer.
• Muddle the Rosemary: For a more pronounced rosemary flavor, gently muddle the rosemary sprigs at the bottom of the glass before adding the ice and other ingredients. This will release the aromatic oils and infuse the drink with a delightful herbal essence.

More Seasonal Cocktail Recipes

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