The Harlem Apple Cocktail Recipe
Friday night is NYC's annual Change Maker's Ball, a benefit for Self Help Africa, where the most popular invitee will surely be the Harlem Apple, the event's signature cocktail. It's for a great cause: SHA is one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to empowering rural Africa to achieve economic independence. Renowned chef Nils Noren, working alongside the evening's honoree, Red Rooster chef Marcus Samuelsson, created this year's drink with fall in mind.
Says Noren:
"I have had the honor of working with Self-Help Africa for the last few years and their hard work has provided invaluable help and long-term support to many in rural Africa. This cocktail I created for this year's Change Maker's Ball uses one of my absolute favorite fall ingredients: apples.
"The sweet apple juice combined with the spice of the ginger and coriander and the light smokiness and citrus notes of the Ambessa Earl of Harlem tea, really brings this cocktail together. It feels very NYC autumn with a nod to Africa, all in one drink."
- 2 ounces fresh apple juice
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces Ambessa Earl of Harlem syrup (below)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 Ambessa Earl of Harlem teabags
- 10 coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Bring syrup ingredients to a boil, strain and cool completely.
- Combine cocktail ingredients in a shaker with ice, then strain into a rocks glass with new ice.
- Garnish with an apple slice and serve.
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