On September 22, Meherwan's debut cookbook hit shelves, and the launch party landed at Chai Pani Asheville. A party needs a drink. And that job went to Sarah Adams, who runs the bar there and last brought us the MSG Tomato Martini.

One of her answers for launch night was the Masala Apple Collins 🍎

A Collins is a bar classic with a plain frame: spirit, lemon, sugar, soda, served tall. Sarah kept the frame and rebuilt the sugar. Her syrup starts with fresh-pressed apple cider and jaggery, the unrefined cane sugar used all over India, which gives it a darker, almost caramel depth that white sugar can't match. Whole Cinnamon Sticks and Chai Masala simmer in with the cider, followed by fresh minced ginger.

The syrup recipe below keeps for 7 to 10 days in the fridge! Want the food to go with it? Meherwan put that in No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World.

Recipe by Chai Pani Asheville's Bar Manager, Sarah Adams