If you’re looking for a simple, yet festive and delicious cocktail for fall or Thanksgiving entertaining, look no further than the Crownberry apple! This easy mixed drink has just two ingredients: Crown apple whisky and cranberry juice for a sweet tart sip you’ll love!
What is a Crownberry Apple?
The Crownberry apple is a simple cocktail made with Crown Royal Regal apple whisky and cranberry juice.
It’s served in a rocks glass over ice for a crisp and refreshing cocktail! You can garnish it with an apple slice or some cranberries (or both) for a fun and festive drink.
Apple and cranberry is such a delicious flavor combination, and one that’s perfect for fall. Since it’s just 2 ingredients, this cocktail comes together incredibly quickly, making it ideal for low stress entertaining for Thanksgiving and other autumn occasions.
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Crownberry Apple Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces Crown Royal apple whisky
- 4 ounces cranberry juice (I use unsweetened)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use another brand of apple whiskey or brandy if preferred. Bird Dog, Jim Beam, and Jack Daniels are other popular brands besides Crown that make one
- For a stronger drink, increase the whiskey to 2 ounces
- The cranberry juice can be either unsweetened 100% juice, or you can use a sweetened cranberry cocktail, depending how sweet you want your drink. I like using unsweetened, as you can always add a little simple syrup or maple syrup for sweetness to give yourself more control
- Feel free to add a dusting of cinnamon or apple pie spice on top for more fall flavor!
How to Make a Crownberry Apple Cocktail
- Fill a lowball glass with ice
- Add in the apple whiskey
- Top with cranberry juice and give it a stir
- Garnish with fresh apple slices or cranberries if desired, and enjoy!
More Crown Apple Cocktails
- Crown Apple Mule
- Washington Apple Cocktail
- Crown Apple Sangria
- Apple Pie Cocktail
What to Serve With a Crownberry Apple
A Crownberry apple cocktail pairs well with a variety of foods that complement the apple and cranberry flavors, whether for the holidays or fall occasions. Here are some of my favorite pairing ideas:
Cheese and Charcuterie Board
The cocktail’s fruitiness balances well with a spread of cheeses like brie, sharp cheddar, or gouda, alongside meats such as prosciutto or salami.
Add apple slices, dried cranberries, and nuts for extra flavor harmony!
Spiced Nuts
Candied or spiced nuts, such as cinnamon almonds or honey roasted pecans, offer a sweet, crunchy contrast that brings out the warmth of the apple whisky in the drink.
Roasted Turkey or Ham Sliders
Mini roasted turkey sliders or ham and cheese sliders are savory pairings that match the cocktail’s fall feel, and a cranberry sauce topping mirrors the cranberry juice in the drink!
Apple Pie or Cranberry Desserts
For dessert, try creative options like apple pie tacos, crustless cranberry tarts, or spiced cookies to enhance the apple and cranberry notes of the cocktail and provide a sweet finish.
Autumn Salads
A salad with arugula, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and a light vinaigrette adds a fresh contrast, while complementing the cocktail’s fruity flavors!
Recipe FAQs
How Do You Serve a Crownberry Apple Cocktail?
Serve this cocktail in a rocks glass filled with ice.
After adding the whisky and cranberry juice, stir gently and garnish with a slice of apple to enhance the drink’s appearance and flavor.
Can You Make a Non-Alcoholic Version of the Crownberry Apple?
Yes, for a non-alcoholic mocktail version, replace the whisky with apple juice and mix it with the cranberry juice.
This option keeps the cocktail’s fruity profile while making it a good option for underage and non-drinkers.
Is the Crownberry Apple Cocktail Seasonal?
While this cocktail can be enjoyed year-round, the apple and cranberry flavors make it especially popular in fall and winter.
Crown apple is available year round, so you can enjoy this mixed drink any time you like!
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Crownberry Apple
- You can add some frozen cranberries instead of some of the ice to minimize dilution while adding flavor and a fun touch!
- This drink is fairly low strength as written, but you can always add more whiskey if desired. When made with 100% cranberry juice, it’s just lightly sweet, but you can use sweetened juice to make it sweeter if you like
- Feel free to scale this recipe for parties, and mix it together in a pitcher up to 24 hours in advance. Just store in the refrigerator until ready to serve!
Serving Tips
- Serve this cranberry apple cocktail in a lowball glass, like a whiskey, rocks, or old fashioned glass. A juice glass is another great choice!
- Garnishes for a Crownberry apple are entirely optional, but can include a slice of fresh apple, or cranberries on a skewer or simply floated on top of the drink
- Cranberry Lemon Drop Martini
Final Thoughts
This Crownberry apple cocktail is so simple with just 2 ingredients, yet also delicious and refreshing! It’s one of my favorites for entertaining because it’s low stress and easy to make, but crowd pleasing too.
The apple and cranberry flavor combination is perfect for fall occasions, whether it’s Thanksgiving, game day, or just a casual get together.
Looking for more great mixed drinks to make with your bottle of whiskey? Check out all of my amazing Crown Apple Drink Recipes for more inspiration!
Crownberry Apple (Easy Cocktail Recipe)
Equipment
- Whiskey glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces Crown Royal apple whisky
- 4 ounces cranberry juice (I use 100% unsweetened)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass with iceIce cubes
- Add in the apple whiskey1 ½ ounces Crown Royal apple whisky
- Top with cranberry juice and give it a stir4 ounces cranberry juice
- Garnish with fresh apple slices or cranberries if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use another brand of apple whiskey or brandy if preferred. Bird Dog, Jim Beam, and Jack Daniels are other popular brands besides Crown that make one
- For a stronger drink, increase the whiskey to 2 ounces
- The cranberry juice can be either unsweetened 100% juice, or you can use a sweetened cranberry cocktail, depending how sweet you want your drink. I like using unsweetened, as you can always add a little simple syrup or maple syrup for sweetness to give yourself more control
- Feel free to add a dusting of cinnamon or apple pie spice on top for more fall flavor!
- Feel free to scale this recipe for parties, and mix it together in a pitcher up to 24 hours in advance. Just store in the refrigerator until ready to serve!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
