10 Twin Cities Apple Dishes and Drinks to Try Right Now

Stacy Spensley

Good food is all about the present. Spend all your time geeking out about the MN55, the lovechild of a Honeycrisp and a MonArk and the next big thing coming from the poindexters at the University of Minnesota apple research lab, and you'll miss the seasonal flavors sweetening up menus across the Twin Cities right this very minute.

We've got a list of 10 nibbles and tipples to get you started on this quest for that teacher's-favorite, doctor's-worst-nightmare, doesn't-fall-far-from-the-tree kind of autumnal fruit that makes Minnesotans go wild.

See also:
Dessert Wines to Try and Where to Buy in the Twin Cities

Hannah Sayle

A cheffed-up version of your basic apple and cheese snack, this hot pressed sandwich served in a tidy paper pouch is equal parts tart apple, melted brie, and chewy grilled sourdough. Grab one at the skyway quick-service arm of Russell and Desta Klein's empire in the Soo Line Building in downtown Minneapolis. Cafe Zentral is just upstairs from the continental finery of Brasserie Zentral and the sophisticated Foreign Legion Wine Bar, a name that will make you feel the most important you've ever felt getting slightly sloppy on fancy pours.

Hannah Sayle

Remember when it looked like this outside?

Apple sparklers don't have to be so tart they set one's teeth on edge, nor do they need to be palate-numbingly sweet. Nightingale's Teacher's Pet, made with Cedar Ridge apple brandy, cava, and house-made apple bitters, is a balanced fall cocktail, crisp like the first hint of frost, but mellow enough for a lazy afternoon.

Hannah Sayle

The crunch of a fresh apple makes it an ideal addition to any maki, so it's beyond us why this fruit doesn't crop up on more sushi menus. Even this Big Apple-themed roll is only available at Origami's downtown location (sorry Uptowners). Make the trek for a sweet and spicy roll-up of crab and Granny Smith apples, topped with tempura flakes and unagi sauce.

Hannah Sayle

We draw a straight line from the moment Eve took a bite of that apple to the moment we put a spoonful of Caramel Apple Cider Crisp to our lips. Totally worth it, Eve. Apple cider ice cream cloaks ribbons of caramel and bits of streusel for a one-two punch that's almost like our favorite Sweet Science flavors combined (salted caramel and berry crumble). It's a limited edition flavor, so get it at Verdant Tea while supplies last. Come next year, you might even find it at a stand-alone Sweet Science scoop shop. Though owner Ashlee Olds isn't making any promises yet, she's hinted at the possibility and suggests St. Paul would be the spot.

Hannah Sayle

The flavors will change at this weekly pop-up throughout November and December, but the Salty Tart quality that baker Michelle Gayer brings to the table won't waver a bit. The caramel apple pie from the pop-up's first run is a classic, more of a straightforward apple pie than a caramel apple version. This round of butter, love, and sweet baked apples belies the pop-up's sinister name. On second thought, what's more American than power, corruption, and apple pie?