Ingredients
- 1 oz Apple Brandy
- 0.5 oz Gin
- 2 oz Cider Beer
- 1 tsp Grenadine Syrup
Instructions
- Pour ingredients into an old-fashioned glass half-filled with broken ice. Garnish with a cherry. and serve.
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The exact origin of the Devon Air is unclear, but the name strongly suggests a connection to Devon, a county in southwest England known for its cider production. Its construction a simple build over ice, combining spirits with a beer or cider base points to a more modern, perhaps pub or home bartending creation from the late 20th or early 21st century. It’s a drink that feels regionally inspired, celebrating local produce like apples and cider.
This drink sits in the broad category of spirit and beer cocktails, a cousin to the Shandy or even some gin and juice variations, but the specific combination of apple brandy and cider beer sets it apart. While a Snakebite combines cider and lager, the Devon Air adds a layer of botanical complexity from gin and the distinct character of apple brandy, moving it beyond a simple mixed beer drink into cocktail territory.
You’d typically find a Devon Air served in a casual setting. Think gastropubs with a decent cocktail list, craft beer bars that experiment with mixed drinks, or during a relaxed brunch. It’s also a perfect backyard barbecue or picnic drink, offering something refreshing and sessionable that’s a step up from a standard beer or cider, without being overly boozy or complicated.
What it tastes like
On the first sip, the Devon Air delivers a bright, sweet apple note from the brandy, quickly followed by the distinct juniper and botanical presence of gin. The mid palate introduces the tart, refreshing qualities of the cider beer, balancing the initial sweetness and adding a pleasant effervescence. The finish is clean and crisp, leaving a lingering taste of apple and a subtle dry botanical note, making it remarkably refreshing.
Calculating the ABV for the Devon Air gives us roughly 0.4 oz of pure alcohol from the apple brandy, 0.2 oz from the gin, and approximately 0.1 oz from the cider beer, assuming standard strengths. This puts the total pure alcohol content at about 0.7 oz in a drink of roughly 3.5 oz liquid volume. This results in an ABV of around 20%, making it significantly stronger than most beers (typically 5-7%) but considerably lighter than many spirit-forward cocktails, which often range from 25% to 35% ABV or higher. It’s a comfortable session drink.
The technique
Building a Devon Air is straightforward. Start with an old-fashioned glass and fill it generously with broken ice. This isn’t a drink for perfectly clear cubes. First, pour in your apple brandy, then the gin. Next, add the cider beer, topping it off. Finally, drizzle in the grenadine. The grenadine’s density will cause it to sink and create a subtle color gradient if left unstirred, but a quick gentle stir before serving will integrate it fully.
The most important technique for the Devon Air is using broken ice, not large cubes. Broken ice provides more surface area for chilling and offers quicker dilution. This is crucial for a built drink like this, ensuring it gets cold fast and the flavors meld without becoming watered down too quickly. Skipping this means a less chilled drink that takes longer to mellow, and you end up with a weaker flavor profile as the ice melts unevenly.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Apple Brandy
- Use
- Opt for a quality apple brandy like Laird’s Applejack or an authentic Calvados. These offer a genuine apple character, whether aged or unaged, providing the drink’s foundational fruit notes and a respectable spirit base, typically around 40% ABV.
- Skip
- Avoid apple schnapps or apple-flavored vodka. These are often overly sweet, artificially flavored, and lack the depth and complexity that true apple brandy brings. They will make the drink cloying and unbalanced.
- Why
- Apple brandy is the hero here, delivering the core apple flavor that defines the ‘Devon’ aspect of the drink. It provides a warm, fruity spirit backbone that marries well with both the gin and the cider beer, without being too heavy.
Gin
- Use
- A classic London Dry Gin with a prominent juniper profile works best. Brands like Beefeater, Tanqueray, or Gordon’s provide the necessary botanical complexity and a dry counterpoint without overpowering the apple notes.
- Skip
- Heavily floral or overly citrus-forward gins can clash with the apple and cider, creating an unbalanced flavor profile. Avoid anything too experimental unless you know it pairs well with apple.
- Why
- Gin adds a layer of sophisticated botanical complexity and a crucial dry element to the Devon Air. It prevents the drink from becoming one-dimensionally fruity or too sweet, providing a counterpoint that keeps it interesting and adult.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Pear Air
- A fruity swap for a different orchard spirit.
- Substitute the apple brandy with an equal measure of pear brandy or eau de vie. This shifts the fruit profile to a softer, slightly sweeter pear note while maintaining the spirit base.
Devon Dry
- For those who prefer less sweetness and more bite.
- Use a dry cider instead of cider beer, and reduce the grenadine to a scant dash or omit it entirely. This version highlights the crispness of the gin and the tartness of the cider.
Spiced Air
- A warmer take for cooler weather.
- Add a dash or two of Angostura bitters or a small amount of spiced apple liqueur. This introduces warm baking spice notes that complement the apple brandy beautifully.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a good quality pear brandy for a similar fruit profile, or even a decent cognac or calvados if you want to lean into the spirit without the specific apple note.
White rum can offer a lighter, sweeter spirit base, or a neutral vodka will let the apple and cider flavors shine more prominently, albeit with less botanical complexity.
A good quality hard cider mixed with a splash of light lager will approximate the profile. If you only have hard cider, use that, but it will be a bit less effervescent and potentially sweeter.
Any sturdy rocks glass or even a small tumbler will work just fine. The key is a wide mouth for ice and easy drinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Devon Air?
A Devon Air cocktail contains 1 oz Apple Brandy, 0.5 oz Gin, 2 oz Cider Beer, and 1 tsp Grenadine Syrup, served over broken ice.
Is Devon Air a strong drink?
The Devon Air is a moderately strong drink, with an ABV of about 20%. It’s stronger than a typical beer but generally lighter than most spirit-forward cocktails, making it a good sessionable option.
What kind of apple brandy should I use?
For the best result, use a quality apple brandy like Laird’s Applejack or an authentic Calvados. These provide genuine apple flavor and a good spirit base.
Can I use hard cider instead of cider beer?
Yes, you can use hard cider. If you do, consider adding a splash of light lager to mimic the ‘cider beer’ profile, or just use the hard cider on its own for a slightly different, likely less effervescent, drink.
What kind of gin works best?
A classic London Dry Gin with a prominent juniper character is ideal. Brands like Beefeater or Tanqueray provide the necessary botanical complexity without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Why is it called Devon Air?
While its exact origin is unknown, the name ‘Devon Air’ likely refers to Devon, a county in England known for its cider production. The ‘Air’ part could imply its light, refreshing nature.
Can I make a big batch?
Yes, you can easily scale up the recipe to make a batch. Combine the apple brandy, gin, and grenadine in a pitcher, then add the cider beer and broken ice just before serving to maintain fizz and chill.
Is it sweet?
The Devon Air has a balanced sweetness, primarily from the apple brandy and the small amount of grenadine. The dry gin and tart cider beer prevent it from being overly sweet, making it refreshing rather than cloying.
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