Stone Fence Cocktail

November 19, 2021 by Jennifer

Since Thanksgiving is next week, I wanted to bring you one more cocktail that’s not only perfect for the upcoming holiday, but has all those fall flavors we love so much this time of year. It’s the Stone Fence.

If you are looking for a cocktail that epitomizes autumn, the Stone Fence would be it. Comprised of apple cider, Angostura bitters and rum, it’s everything you think of when you think of fall. Sure, a great glass of spiced apple cider is the classic autumn beverage for anyone from 2 to 93, but add a shot of liquor and you have an adult bevie that will take you all the way through the holidays and beyond.

This apple cocktail dates back to the early days of the Revolutionary War. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys were drinking at the Remington Tavern in Castleton. They felt they needed some liquid courage before storming the British controlled Fort Ticonderoga, so they started drinking. After downing a few glasses of rum and apple cider, they were ready. Finding only a few guards, they stormed the fort and took it back from the English. The Stone Fence has been a popular cocktail ever since.

While Allen and his Boys originally imbibed this cocktail with rum, today, there are several options. You could absolutely go with the classic by using an aged rum that’s full of vanilla and caramel notes. But you could also swap out the rum for a nice rye or higher proof bourbon. The rye will bring a little more spice where as the higher proof bourbon will bring those sweeter caramel and vanilla flavors. I went with Broken Barrel’s California Oak Whiskey which has some vanilla notes and hints of fruit thanks to the cabernet sauvignon barrels used in the aging process. Like so many cocktails, it’s really about what you prefer. So, maybe tonight go with the rum, and then on Thanksgiving up the ABV and go with a nice, smooth bourbon. It’s totally up to you. (And if you go for the higher proof on turkey day, I won’t judge. I mean, it is family, after all.)