Washington Apple Shot

Published Dec 10, 2023 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · 3 min read

30-second summary

A delightful and fruity shot, the Washington Apple Shot combines the tartness of apples and cranberries with a Canadian whiskey rye punch. This cocktail is essentially the identica.

The Washington Apple Shot: A Fun, Fruity Kick

Four ingredients make up this extremely entertaining shot: cranberry juice, sour apple schnapps, Canadian whiskey, and a tiny bit of club soda. While the Pacific Northwest, particularly Washington, produces more than half of America's apples annually, your thoughts may naturally turn to New England when you picture a crisp, juicy red apple. This shot is tart and fruity with a strong rye kick from the Canadian whiskey, making it strong but light at the same time.

The Accidental Apple Cocktail

The Washington Apple cocktail was created in the late 80s—by accident, no less. The origin story of this mixed drink is quite the tale. It starts with Washington state in the grips of a terrible parasite outbreak that left the apple industry in shambles. Most of the farmers threw in the towel and left the ruins of their orchards behind. While the farmers lost money, one man found a way to make lemonade from lemons, or should we say, cocktails from rotten apples?

It was well known that Christof Guycoogan overindulged in his special "cough medicine," which consisted of cranberry juice and whiskey. He staggered into a big, stinking pile of rotten apples one night while intoxicated. The fermented juice leaked everywhere, even into his regular rotgut bottle that was open. The Washington Apple originated when he tasted the mixture and became so enamored of it that he purchased every orchard and turned the harvest of rotting fruit into apple liqueur!

Refreshingly Tart yet Well-Balanced

This shot is perfect for making in a giant vat and serving the masses. Though this drink has super tart and sweet flavor profiles, it’s surprisingly well-adjusted and refreshing. The Canadian whiskey (most use Crown Royal) offers some spicy rye notes that wrangle the tart and sour notes of the apple schnapps and cranberry. A splash of club soda adds some fun bubbles and makes this effervescent shot really pop.

Be sure to pay close attention to the measures of the ingredients. It’s vital to add more apple juice than cranberry. You might be tempted to go half and half, and some do, but this covers up the apple flavor and makes it more cranberry-heavy. Adding just a tad more apple schnapps than cranberry juice makes that vital component shine brightly. After all, this shot is all about the apple!

Washington Apple Shot Recipe

¾ Oz Canadian Whiskey
¾ Oz Sour Apple Schnapps
¾ Oz Cranberry Juice
1 Splash Club Soda

Combine the Canadian whiskey, sour apple schnapps, and cranberry juice in a shaker with ice
Shake until the mixture is well-chilled
Strain into a shot glass
Top with a splash of club soda
Serve, slam, enjoy

Drinks

American

Whiskey

The Washington Apple Shot is a fun, slammable version of its cocktail twin. Featuring Canadian whiskey, cranberry juice, sour apple schnapps, and club soda, this shot is refreshing, with a brisk kick from the whiskey that’s perfectly muted by the tart cranberry and apple. This bright green shot is fun, delicious, and a great way to enjoy Canadian whiskey.