Noble, Rotating Cider Recipe

Chill glass

Place a highball or large rocks glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes while you assemble ingredients so the drink stays brisk and lively.

Combine non-carbonated ingredients

In a cocktail shaker (no need to shake the cider), add the fresh apple cider (2 oz), Calvados or apple brandy (1 oz), maple syrup (0.5 tbs), and fresh lemon juice (0.5 oz). Add the Angostura bitters (2 dashes).

Shake with ice

Add 4 ice cubes to the shaker, cap, and shake vigorously for 8–10 seconds to chill and dilute lightly and to incorporate the maple syrup smoothly.

Prepare glass and add ice

Remove the chilled glass from the freezer and add 2 fresh ice cubes (reserve 2 cubes for the shaker if you used extra).

Strain and top with hard cider

Double-strain the shaken mixture into the prepared glass over the ice. Immediately top with 12 oz hard apple cider poured gently down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation.

Garnish and rotate

Carefully cut a thin apple slice and make a single small slit from the edge to the center so it can sit on the rim. Slide the apple slice onto the rim as a wheel. Add a cinnamon stick standing in the glass (it will slowly infuse). Express a little orange zest over the top (optional) then rub it around the rim and drop it in.

Final touch — create the 'rotating' element

To create the rotated aroma and ceremony: hold the glass by the base and lightly rotate it 1–2 full turns so the cinnamon stick and apple wheel move gently and release scents. Serve immediately and advise sipping slowly to enjoy the layered aromas.