Stone Fence

The Stone Fence is a historic American drink, with roots tracing back to the colonial era. It's a wonderfully simple highball that pairs a spirit—traditionally applejack, but also commonly rum or whiskey—with hard apple cider. The combination creates a crisp, fruity, and effervescent drink that is both warming and refreshing. It is a perfect autumnal cocktail that showcases the simple beauty of its core ingredients.
Stone Fence

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Stone Fence is categorized as a classic cocktail due to its historical origins in colonial America. It is structurally a highball, which is a type of long drink consisting of a base spirit topped with a larger portion of a non-alcoholic (or in this case, low-alcohol) mixer. Its simple, two-ingredient nature makes it a quintessential example of this style.

Serving

The Stone Fence is served cold over ice in a tall Highball or Collins glass. It is a moderately alcoholic and refreshing long drink.
Serving size
180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
10-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

As one of America's oldest mixed drinks, the Stone Fence was reportedly popular during the Revolutionary War. Legend holds that Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys fortified themselves with this cocktail before their successful raid on Fort Ticonderoga in 1775. The name is thought to be a reference to the ubiquitous stone walls of the New England countryside, the drink's birthplace.
Origin
The Stone Fence originated in Colonial America during the 18th century, particularly in the New England region where apples and cider were abundant.

Stone Fence

The drink is most commonly known as the Stone Fence. An alternative, though less frequent, name for this classic cocktail is the Stone Wall. Both names evoke the imagery of the New England landscape where the drink is said to have originated.
Original name
Stone Fence
Alternative name
Stone Wall

Characteristics overview

This is a crisp, effervescent highball with a dominant apple flavor from the cider, complemented by the warmth and spice of the base spirit. The aroma is full of fresh apple, and it finishes cleanly, making it a perfectly refreshing autumnal drink.
Flavor
Apple, crisp, refreshing, fruity, slightly spicy (from spirit)
Aroma
Fresh apple, vanilla, caramel, baking spice (depending on spirit)
Taste balance
Semi-sweet, tart
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, apple finish
Fizziness
Lightly carbonated, effervescent
Color appearance
Pale gold to light amber, clear
Texture
Light, crisp, bubbly
Seasonality
Refreshing, autumnal, crisp

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is led by a bright fruitiness and gentle sweetness from the cider, balanced by a moderate alcohol presence and light carbonation. The overall intensity is refreshing and approachable rather than overpowering.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This is a simple build requiring only a base spirit like rye whiskey, rum, or applejack, and a bottle of chilled hard apple cider. A dash of Angostura bitters is an optional but recommended addition to enhance the flavors.
  • Rye Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    Traditionally made with Applejack. Rum or Bourbon are also excellent choices.
  • Hard Apple Cider120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
    Chilled. A dry or off-dry cider works best to avoid making the drink too sweet.
  • Angostura Bitters2 dashes(optional)
    Adds aromatic complexity and depth.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed as this drink is built directly in the serving glass. A jigger helps with accurate measurement and a bar spoon is useful for a gentle stir.
  • Jigger for measuring spirits.
  • Bar spoon for a gentle stir.

Instructions

Preparation is simple: build the drink directly in an ice-filled highball glass by adding the spirit, optional bitters, and topping with chilled cider. Finish with a gentle stir and a garnish.
1. Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice cubes to the top.
2. Pour the rye whiskey (or your chosen spirit) over the ice.
3. Add a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters, if you are using them.
4. Slowly top the glass with chilled hard apple cider.
5. Give the drink a very gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
6. Garnish with a fresh apple slice or a lemon twist before serving.

Garnishing

A simple garnish like a thin slice of apple or a fragrant lemon twist complements the drink's flavors and adds visual appeal. The garnish should be fresh and simple.
  • Apple slice or wedge, placed on the rim or in the drink.
  • Lemon twist, expressed over the drink and dropped in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. Most distilled spirits and hard ciders are gluten-free and vegan, but it is always best to check the specific brand's labels to confirm.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is moderately low in calories, with most of its carbohydrates and sugar coming from the hard cider. The exact nutritional values will vary depending on the spirit and cider used.
Calories
Averagely 150-200 kcal / 627-837 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-12 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfectly suited for casual gatherings, especially during the autumn months when apples are in season. Its refreshing nature makes it an excellent choice for happy hour, and its historical roots make it a fun addition to Thanksgiving or other fall festivities.
  • Autumn gatherings
  • Casual drinks
  • Happy hour
  • Thanksgiving

Pairing suggestions

The Stone Fence's crisp apple profile pairs beautifully with savory and rich foods. It's an excellent companion to roasted meats like pork and chicken, and its slight sweetness contrasts nicely with sharp cheeses. It also works well with simple, salty snacks and autumnal appetizers.
  • Roasted pork or chicken
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Salty snacks like pretzels or nuts
  • Autumn-themed appetizers

The Stone Fence: A Refreshing Taste of American History

The Stone Fence is a historically significant American cocktail that offers a delightful blend of simplicity and flavor. It combines a base spirit like whiskey, rum, or the traditional applejack with the crisp, effervescent character of hard apple cider. This easy-to-make highball is wonderfully refreshing, making it an excellent choice for casual gatherings, especially during the autumn months. Its colonial roots also add a fascinating layer of American history to every sip.

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