Rye-Napple Express Cocktail from Shaker & Spoon
- May 21, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 29
About the Cocktail from Shaker & Spoon
Source: Shaker & Spoon Brochure
Bright fruit flavor, a sturdy spirit, and warming spice makes for a blast of beach air no matter when, where, or how it's enjoyed. And though "easygoing" might not be the first word that comes to mind when ru- minating on a steadfast grain and spirit like rye, leave it to pineapple, lime, and ripples of apple cider, cinnamon, and star anise to turn even the most hardy into a party. Yep—it’s a rollicking rye stunner from Sother Teague, complete with some ever-on-trend pumpkin spice!
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
The Cocktail Recipe
Source: Shaker & Spoon Brochure
INCREDIENTS
Sother's pumpkin spice
1 1/2 oz Canadian rye whisky
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz spiced cider lime cordial
3 dashes (not drops) star anise bitters
INSTRUCTIONS
Spread some pumpkin spice out on a plate. Wet a small piece of a paper towel and run it around the rim of the glass to wet it (same as you would with a squeezed citrus rind). Drag and twist the glass across the plate so that the rim gets coated in spice.
Add the liquid ingredients to a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously until it is ice-cold and shows frost on the outside (15–30 seconds).
Strain into your rimmed glass—either a rocks glass over fresh cubed ice or a chilled coupe glass (without ice).
BONUS: Build it as a blended cocktail! Combine the liquid ingredients plus a generous pinch of Sother's pumpkin spice in a blender with the amount of ice that fits in your serving glass (use the glass to measure out your ice). Blend until smooth. OR mix it up as a hot cocktail! Stir the liquid ingredients plus a generous pinch of Sother's pumpkin spice in a warmed mug with 2 oz hot water.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
How We Feel About the Cocktail
Rye‑Napple Express: A Tropical Rye Escape in a Glass
Some cocktails arrive with a wink, others with a swagger—but the Rye‑Napple Express shows up like a burst of sunshine through the kitchen window. The moment we opened the Shaker & Spoon kit, with its bright pineapple juice, aromatic bitters, and that little packet of pumpkin spice waiting to rim the glass, we knew this one was going to be playful. And swapping in Lot No. 40 Canadian Rye Whisky gave the whole experience a deeper, richer backbone that made the drink feel both tropical and grounded.
This cocktail promises a “blast of beach air,” and honestly, that’s exactly what it delivered—just with a rye‑forward grin.
Our Experience
🌬️ On the Nose
Before the first sip, the aroma alone set the tone. The pumpkin‑spice rim lifted warm cinnamon and clove into the air, meeting the rye’s natural grainy spice. Lot 40 added its signature herbal brightness, and the pineapple juice brought a soft, sweet tang that hovered just beneath the surface. Together, it smelled like autumn wandered into a tiki bar—unexpected, but completely charming.
🍍 On the Palate
The first sip was a little celebration.
The pineapple juice opened with juicy sweetness, quickly balanced by the spiced cider lime cordial’s tart, cozy warmth. Lot 40’s rye character—peppery, slightly earthy, and confidently structured—cut through the fruit in the best way, keeping the drink from ever feeling sugary or simple.
The star anise bitters added a subtle licorice‑like lift, almost like a cool breeze across the top of the drink. And that pumpkin‑spice rim? It didn’t just decorate the glass—it framed every sip with a soft, sweet dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg that made the whole cocktail feel layered and intentional.
🔥 The Finish
The finish lingered longer than we expected for such a bright cocktail.
The rye’s warmth carried through, leaving a gentle peppery glow. The pineapple faded into a mellow tropical softness, while the spice rim left a whisper of cinnamon and clove on the lips. It was the kind of finish that makes you pause—not because it’s heavy, but because it’s interesting. A little fruity, a little spicy, a little cozy.
⭐ Overall
The Rye‑Napple Express is one of those cocktails that shouldn’t work as well as it does—and yet it absolutely does.
It’s tropical without being sugary. Spiced without being heavy. Rye‑forward without being aggressive. And using Lot 40 gave it a beautiful depth that played perfectly with the pineapple and warm spices.
This is the kind of drink you could serve in July or November and it would feel right either way. It’s a beach vacation wrapped in a fall sweater—unexpected, fun, and surprisingly elegant.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Disclaimer: Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age. Life’s Rants promotes the responsible and legal enjoyment of premium cigars and alcohol by individuals of legal age. We do not endorse or encourage smoking or drinking among minors.
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