Orchard Catch Cooler

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/27/21
Angry Orchard Hard Cider's Orchard Catch Cooler Cocktail Recipe
Angry Orchard
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
240 Calories
0g Fat
35g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 240
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 11mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 64mg 322%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 291mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The orchard catch cooler is an exciting way to enjoy Angry Orchard in a mixed drink. The popular hard cider is a surprisingly good mixer, and this recipe pairs it with fresh strawberries and basil for a crisp drink you'll surely enjoy.

This recipe comes from Angry Orchard and features their original Crisp Apple Cider, though it can work with their other ciders as well. For the drink, you'll start with a muddle of strawberries and basil, add a little lime and vanilla vodka, then finish it off with the cider. It's a delightful and refreshing drink, a nice change from drinking the cider straight from the bottle.

This is a drink that you can easily serve while watching the Super Bowl or other game day parties. It's also perfect for summer when the berries and herbs are at their best.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Quarter 2 of the strawberries and muddle them with 2 julienned basil leaves and the simple syrup in a tall glass.

  3. Squeeze in the juice from 2 of the lime wedges, then drop them into the glass.

  4. Fill with ice and add the vodka and cider.

  5. Stir well.

  6. Garnish with the remaining strawberry and lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Be sure to rinse the basil and strawberries well under water before adding them to the glass. Pat the basil dry before cutting. This will remove any dust and debris so it doesn't end up in your drink.
  • To "julienne" the basil means to cut the leaves into thin strips. This wakes up the herb's essence and makes it more fragrant in the muddle.

Recipe Variations

  • Though vanilla works really well with the apple, strawberry, and basil flavors in this drink, pour another vodka if you prefer. Clear, unflavored vodka is a good option, though you can try it with other flavors as well.
  • You could also pour rum or tequila, both of which will add a little more flavor. Vanilla rum is a great choice if you want to retain that flavor.
  • Keep the vanilla flavor when choosing an unflavored liquor or play up that flavor profile by making a vanilla simple syrup and using that instead of the plain syrup.

How Strong Is an Orchard Catch Cooler?

The vodka gives the hard cider a little boost, resulting in a mixed drink that's just a little stronger than the cider itself. Angry Orchard is 5 percent ABV and Stoli Vanil is 35 percent ABV, combining for a cocktail that's around 8 percent ABV (16 proof). It falls right between beer and wine.