All Quiet On The Western Front: The Sidewalker Cocktail

A delicious and refreshing Apple Jack and beer flavored cocktail recipe you need to make for family and friends.

If you’re joining me here for the “Bon Appeteach Book Club” (the only book club where we never read the books, I just make cocktails named after them) then welcome to another delicious cocktail recipe you know you’re going to need to make!

This recipe was inspired by the book, All Quiet on the Western Front. This drink is a great one to serve to a group of people and it truly fits any season (thirst quenching for a hot summer and perfect for fall or tailgating season too). I also love the idea of a beer cocktail, because it’s a great way to enjoy a effervescent German beer while adding other flavors and richer notes with spirits and liqueurs.

With the distinct flavor of apples paired with a light, yet bold Hefeweizen style beer, this drink is slightly tangy and acidic and goes down nice and easy. Grab all the cocktail making details below and be sure to read through the notes to guide you through. Let’s dive in!

What is Apple Jack Brandy?

Apple Jack brandy is an apple flavored brandy liqueur that’s made strictly from apples. It’s pressed, fermented and distilled into a drinkable liqueur and therefore, it does have a fairly distinct apple flavor to it. While there are a handful of varieties of apple brandies on the market, this cocktail specfically uses Apple Jack. You can use any apple brandy to make this recipe.

Ingredients For A Sidewalker Cocktail:

• 3/4 cup Applejack (or other apple brandy)
• 3/4 cup Lemon Juice
• 1/4  cup Maple Syrup (use a good quality syrup)
• 2 tbsp.  Apple Cider Vinegar (or apple cider)
• 1 Hefeweizen beer
• Lemon Wedges to garnish

How To Make And Serve A Sidewalker:

I like to both shake and stir this cocktail to ensure everything is equally mixed. You can make this all with a cocktail shaker and a large pitcher or divide the base of the drink up and top with beer in individual glasses. Here is what you’ll need to do:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the apple brandy, lemon juice, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar. Dry shake it (shaking without ice) to first let the maple syrup become mixed and diluted.
2. Shake for a second time with ice to chill the mixture, about 10-15 seconds. Either pour this mixture directly into a pitcher for serving or divide it into two glasses.
3. Next, pour your Hefeweizen style beer into the pitcher or divided between the two glasses. Use a long bar spoon and gently stir. You can serve with large chunks of ice to keep cool if desired and top with a lemon wedge or peel as well.

Love apple flavored cocktails? Me too! Check out this delicious Apple Cider Whiskey Smash recipe as well and more with my weekly book themed cocktails on Instagram. Cheers!