Refresh to Impress

After a grand opening in October 2023, the Radical Hotel’s edgy, boutique-style fixtures and upscale dining and drinking establishments quickly put it on the map; in fact, 10Best ranked it second on their list of top ten hotels in the nation for 2024. However, just days before the River Arts District hotel’s one-year anniversary, Hurricane Helene brought the French Broad’s historic high floodwaters to its doors. After some restoration, it has reopened for overnight guests and is welcoming hungry and thirsty patrons back at After/Glow, Golden Hour, and the Roof bar. 

Anderson Riddle, bar manager at The Radical Hotel, shares a recipe for a refreshing, sweet, and light homemade Tom Collins, a gin-based sparkling mixed drink. “A Collins is a classic,” he explains. “It’s a refreshing, easy drinking cocktail. It’s a nice transition from winter to spring.”

While this drink  traditionally features lemon, Riddle’s recipe showcases Western North Carolina’s locally grown fruit by including a homemade apple shrub (a sweet and sour mixer made with vinegar, sugar, and fruit). The shrub takes two days to marinate properly, and while Riddle ensures that the flavors are worth it, a storebought substitute also works. “Using a combination of apples—like overripe apples and underripe apples—really adds to the flavor,” Riddle says. There are many local apple orchards that offer pick-your-own options, or check out one of the many local farmers markets for a purveyor. 

Bring Me . . . A Shrubbery
Courtesy of Anderson Riddle, The Radical Hotel
(Yields 1 drink)

For the shrub
3 ripe green apples (or approx. 4 cups)
2 ½ cups cane sugar
1 ½ cup Champagne vinegar
1/2 cup almonds, unsalted
3 sprigs fresh basil
Water, as needed

For the drink
1 ½ oz London Dry Gin
2 oz Local Apple Shrub
1/2 oz Dry Curaçao
Soda water, as needed
Apple slice

Cut apples into thin slices and discard core. Add to a large jar or mixing bowl. Toss apple slices with cane sugar until evenly coated. Add Champagne vinegar and toss to coat evenly. Add unsalted almonds and basil. Add a small amount of water to ensure the apples are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 days. When ready to use, shake vigorously, fine strain, and store.  

Combine ingredients into cocktail shaker. Shake and strain over ice in a tall glass. Top with soda and garnish with fresh apple slice.

Tip: “The longer the ingredients infuse, the more complex the flavor. Adjust sugar (for sweetness), basil (for freshness), almonds (for nuttiness), or vinegar (for tartness) to taste,” Riddle says.

The Radical Hotel
95 Roberts St., Asheville
(828) 412-0200; theradicalavl.com