Stone Fence Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Sip on the fall-like flavors of the Stone Fence cocktail as you watch the leaves change color.

Tonight’s cocktail reminds me of all the best things about the autumn season. The foliage changing color, a crisp briskness creeping into the air, the houses in the neighborhood beginning to put up their Halloween decorations, and spooky movies popping up on television. The name of today’s drink, along with its strong and tart bite, also makes me think of a specific place I’ve been during that season.

One October Saturday morning, while I was in college in New York, a lady friend of mine invited me to go apple picking at a local orchard with a number of her lady friends, all dancers. Being a gentleman, how could I say no? We all had a wonderful time. The day was perfect, in fact, with an overcast sky and the weather being just the right amount of cool. At the end, we discovered a long, stone fence that separated the apple trees from a rolling field. It was almost like something out of a storybook. We all squeezed together and took a bunch of photos with someone’s Instamatic camera. This being the mid-1990s, the film had to be developed at a lab. I’ve never seen those pictures.

Today’s cocktail is called the Stone Fence, a mixture of apple cider and whiskey that is said to have been enjoyed by soldiers during the Revolutionary War, according to legend. When I sip on this tangy, spiced and potent beverage, it makes me think back to that ancient stone fence at that apple orchard, somewhere in the countryside of the Excelsior State. Perhaps a few of those troops sat upon it as we did, hundreds of years apart.

What is the best alcohol to use in a Stone Fence cocktail?

There are many well-known hard apple cider brands to choose from, such as Angry Orchard, Strongbow and Blackthorn, but many local companies produce their own as well, so when you go to pick the cider you want for this cocktail, the sky is the limit just about. For the spirit, you can go with either a spiced and warm rye whiskey or an aged, smooth and sweet bourbon.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Fill a tall glass, like a highball or collins glass, with ice and gently stir your drink together within. Garnish the rim with a fresh apple slice.

Can you use non-alcoholic apple cider?

Yes. If you’d like a lighter drink, in terms of the boozy content, you can substitute the hard cider for a sparkling alcohol-free one, like Martinelli’s.

Similar drinks to the Stone Fence cocktail

After watching the sun go down and the fall night rise, whilst sipping on a few Stone Fences, your mind might begin to wander and think about other apple-tinged tipples that you could sip on this upcoming sweater season. Twist & Toast can point you in the right direction with a number of delicious and easy-to-make cocktails. Try these out to begin with.

• Apple Cider Punch – Ginger ale, spiced rum and apple cider make this potent potion come alive.
• Appletini – This popular party libation is sour, sweet and bright green.
• Washington Apple Cocktail – Canadian whiskey and sour apple schnapps combine with cranberry juice in this red concoction.
• Apple Pie Shot – Have a few slices of dessert in shooter form with this decadent little treat.