The Barton Special Cocktail Recipe: Apple Schnapps, Gin & Whisky in One Bold Mix
September 14, 2022 2025-06-01 23:36The Barton Special Cocktail Recipe: Apple Schnapps, Gin & Whisky in One Bold Mix
The Barton Special Cocktail Recipe: Apple Schnapps, Gin & Whisky in One Bold Mix
If you’re into spirit-forward cocktails with a twist, meet the Barton Special.
This bold mix of apple schnapps, gin, and whisky has just the right balance of punch and smoothness.
It’s a slightly unconventional take on a forgotten classic — and once you try it, it might just become a new favorite.
" Barton Special "
What’s the story behind the Barton Special?
To uncover the name, you’ll have to travel back to the early 1900s. This cocktail is believed to be named after Bruce Fairchild Barton, an advertising legend and political publicist of his time.
Originally, the Barton Special combined gin, Scotch whisky, and apple brandy — a combination designed for depth and bite.
Here at Skol, we gave the recipe a small twist by swapping the apple brandy for apple schnapps, which adds a fruitier kick and smoother sweetness.
The result? A surprisingly harmonious blend that still honors the strength of the original. It’s ideal for whisky fans looking to branch out, or gin lovers wanting something more daring.
Here's
the equipment we used to make it
Ingredients
45 ml ( 1.5 oz ) Apple Schnapps
22.5 ml ( 0.75 oz ) Gin
22.5 ml ( 0.75 oz ) Whisky
How to do it
- Pour the Gin, Whisky & Apple Schnapps into a Mixing Glass using a Jigger
- Add ice cubes
- Stir the mix very well
- Strain into the glass using a Hawthorne Strainer
Sköl !
How long should you stir spirit-only cocktails?
If your drink is all spirits (no juice, cream, or egg), stirring is the way to go — it blends ingredients smoothly without over-aerating. Want it strong? Stir briefly. Prefer it more mellow? Stir longer to dilute. For the Barton Special, we recommend a longer stir to soften the punch of whisky and balance the schnapps. Try 20–30 seconds and adjust to taste!
