Du Nord Craft Spirits co-owner and head distiller Chris Montana pours The A La Mode // Photo by Aaron Davidson
The very thought of Thanksgiving is enough to evoke aromas of turkey, stuffing, and, of course, freshly baked pies. Every year, while my cousins and grandparents devour the pumpkin pie, I always find myself taking a piece from the apple pie. The simple dessert hits all the right notes: sweet and tart, flaky crust and gooey filling, and ice cream slowly melting against the warm apple slices.
Chris and Shanelle Montana must be apple pie people, too. The founders of Du Nord Craft Spirits released their Apple Du Nord liqueur this October just in time for fall cocktail season.
“We’re using Pepin Heights apples,” says Shanelle. Chris adds, “This is their late-season blend, so it’s a point higher in sugar than their mid-season, but a little less tart.”
The addition of bitter orange in the liqueur brings a welcomed acidity that lifts up the apple flavor. When used in the distillery’s creamy fall cocktail, the A La Mode, Apple Du Nord turns purely decadent—a drinkable version of the classic American dessert. The bright apple flavor mixes with the mellow sweetness from the cream like the last bite of pie in a pool of melted ice cream.
A La Mode
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Apple Du Nord liqueur
- 1½ ounces heavy cream
- Drop or two of vanilla extract
- Nutmeg
Method
1. Pour the apple liqueur into a shaker along with the heavy cream and drop of vanilla extract.
Photo by Aaron Davidson
2. Shake well over ice and pour into a wide champagne glass.
Photo by Aaron Davidson
3. Top with freshly ground nutmeg.
Photo by Aaron Davidson
4. Enjoy!
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