Ingredients
- 15 ml Crown Royal whisky
- 15 ml sour apple schnapps DeKuyper Pucker
- 15 ml cranberry juice
Instructions
- Add Crown Royal, sour apple schnapps and cranberry to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 8 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled shot glass.
- Optional garnish: a thin green apple slice on the rim.
- Drink in one go.
Notes
Where it came from
The Washington Apple appeared in late 1990s and early 2000s American bars during the sour apple schnapps boom. DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple was a runaway hit, and bartenders started building shots around its sharp green-apple flavour.
The name is most likely a nod to Washington State, the largest apple-growing region in the US. Some bar lore credits the name to a specific bartender in Washington DC, but the State origin is more widely accepted.
Why three ingredients
Sour apple schnapps on its own is sharp and one-dimensional. Crown Royal adds whisky body and softens the sourness. Cranberry adds depth and the deep red colour. Together the three ingredients build a balanced shot that drinks easier than the sum of its parts.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The Crown Royal
- Use
- Crown Royal Deluxe (the standard purple-bag bottle)
- Try
- Crown Royal Apple for a double-apple version
- Skip
- Bourbon, the corn note clashes with the apple
The sour apple schnapps
- Use
- DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple
- Try
- Apple Schnapps from Berentzen for a more natural apple flavour
- Skip
- Apple liqueur made with brandy, too rich for a shot
The cranberry juice
- Use
- 100 percent cranberry juice
- Try
- Cranberry cocktail for a sweeter version
- Skip
- White cranberry, the colour is wrong
Variations
Other Crown Royal shots and whisky shooters.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Any Canadian whisky (Seagram’s VO, Canadian Club). Avoid heavily smoked whiskies.
Apple liqueur or apple-flavoured vodka. Will be less sharp.
Pomegranate juice for a similar deep red colour and tart profile.
Use Crown Royal 100 Proof. Or skip the cranberry and go all whisky and apple.
Triple measures, serve over ice in a rocks glass. Hello Washington Apple Highball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Washington Apple shot?
Three ingredients: Crown Royal whisky, sour apple schnapps and cranberry juice. Standard build is 15ml of each, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled shot glass.
Why is it called a Washington Apple?
The most accepted theory is the link to Washington State, the largest apple-growing region in the US. Some bar lore credits a bartender in Washington DC. Either way, the name comes from the apple character of the drink.
What does a Washington Apple taste like?
Like a Jolly Rancher meets a Cosmo. Sweet apple up front, tart cranberry in the middle, and a soft Canadian whisky finish. The colour is deep ruby red.
Can I make it as a full cocktail?
Yes. Triple the measures, serve over ice in a rocks glass with an apple slice garnish. Same drink, longer pour.
How strong is a Washington Apple shot?
Around 18 to 22 percent ABV in the shot. The cranberry juice and apple schnapps dilute the whisky, making it easier to drink than a straight whiskey shot.
Should I use Crown Royal or Crown Royal Apple?
Both work. Crown Royal Apple gives a more apple-forward shot. Standard Crown Royal lets the whisky stay in the picture. Use what you have.
Is the Washington Apple a Cosmopolitan?
Same family, different spirit. A Cosmo is vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry. A Washington Apple is whisky, sour apple schnapps and cranberry. Both red, both fruity, different base spirits.
What food goes with a Washington Apple?
American bar food: burgers, sliders, chicken wings, mac and cheese. Also good after a heavy meal as a sweet finish. The apple cuts through richness.
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