For this production I decided that all of the drinks would be based on songs, and the most appropriate way to start was with the title song.

Wild, Wild Party #1

• 1.0 oz. Applejack
• 0.75 oz. King’s Ginger Liqueur
• 5 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• pinch of sea salt

Stir with ice and pour into cocktail glass. Top with 2.0 oz. Original Sin Cider.

As the song begins with the story of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit, using Original Sin Cider just seemed a natural choice. I immediately gravitated towards Applejack, and to spice things up I added both the ginger liqueur and a healthy dose of Peychaud’s which also contributed greatly to the color. I liked it, but it was tamer than I thought it should be. Thus:

Wild, Wild Party #2

• 1.0 oz. Rittenhouse Rye
• 1.0 oz. Aperol
• 3 dashes cayenne hot sauce
• pinch of sea salt

Stir with ice and pour into cocktail glass. Top with 2.0 oz. Original Sin Cider.

I liked the rye base much more as it stood out against the cider, yet worked well with it. The Aperol gave some great color and a little sweet and bitterness, and the necessary sinful bite was added using the hot sauce. A much more wild variation.

But the party’s just getting started.