When mixing cocktails, you have to be able to weed out the bad apples. But when it comes to using real apples in your drinks, expert Camille Wilson, author of Free Spirit Cocktails: 40 Nonalcoholic Drink Recipes and creator of The Cocktail Snob, has some words of wisdom. She says, “When incorporating real apples into cocktails, I think it’s important to choose the right apple. For a sweeter option, Honeycrisp and Gala apples are great. For a more tart, fresher flavor, Granny Smith works well.”

Apple selection is crucial when it comes to balancing a cocktail’s already complex flavor profile. And with over 7,500 known varieties, you’ve got work to do to select a variety that suits what you’re putting in your glass. Soil type, climate and even harvest time can affect the flavor of the fruit. While a Gala may have a mild, sweet note, a Baldwin has a slight spice and a Granny Smith is more tart. A spritz or cider-based drink will suit the acidity of a green apple, while a dry martini can benefit from the balancing sweetness of a red variety. The key question, as Wilson suggests, is whether your fruit is sweet or tart. You have to play matchmaker.

If you’ve chosen an apple to pair with, say, your next fruity bourbon cocktail, you’ll want to learn how to dress it. Alcohol lovers have been using apples in drinks since colonial times. The abundance of orchards ensured an abundance of fruit, and the invention of apple brandy in the 18th century is considered a milestone in cocktail history. Since then, creative ways to add apples to drinks have evolved rapidly over the centuries.

Carefully arranged slices are fantastic for a rustic aesthetic, while thinner slices are a more refined and elegant option, especially when arranged in a fan-like fashion and pinned in place with a cocktail skewer. Twisted decorations are also one of the best ways to use up apple peels. One aspect to consider when garnishing with fresh fruit is browning, for which dried apples are a smart solution as they have a longer shelf life. Alternatively, adding preservative lemon juice will keep the colour fresh, but first consider whether the citrus note will spoil the cocktail you’re creating. If you want flavour and not just a visual flourish, apple butter – essentially super-strong apple sauce – adds a special touch to an autumnal cocktail.

Apple-based soft drinks are also not to be missed. Whether you’re eschewing alcoholic cocktails in favor of a mocktail or creating a soft drink that would make Starbucks green with envy, apples are still the versatile ingredients and garnishes to choose.