Stone Fence recipe
A historic American highball combining whiskey and dry hard cider over ice.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Highball glass ·
Time: 2 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye whiskey (or bourbon)
- 4 oz Hard cider (dry, chilled)
- 1 dash Angostura bitters (optional)
How to make a Stone Fence
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes to chill.
- Add the rye whiskey and dash of Angostura bitters directly into the glass.
- Top with chilled dry hard cider.
- Stir gently once or twice from bottom to top to combine ingredients without losing carbonation.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and serve immediately.
Garnish
Fresh mint sprig
Pro tip
Use a genuinely dry, crisp hard cider rather than a sweet commercial cider to keep the drink balanced and refreshing.
History of the Stone Fence
Dating back to the Revolutionary War era, the Stone Fence is one of America's earliest recorded mixed drinks, originally pairing rum or whiskey with hard cider. It was famously documented by Jerry Thomas in his 1862 bartending guide.
Flavour profile
Crisp, Tart, Spicy, Effervescent
Variations
- Colonial Rum Stone Fence — Substitute aged dark rum for the rye whiskey.
- Applejack Stone Fence — Use apple brandy or applejack for a richer orchard fruit profile.
- Autumn Spice Stone Fence — Add a quarter ounce of cinnamon syrup and use orange bitters.
Practise making the Stone Fence in the free Virtual Bar game.