One of the most refreshing before dinner drinks I know is based on a relatively little known but readily available distilled spirit. Apple Jack is the oldest known continuously distilled beverage in the US; Laird’s, who gave George Washington the recipe to make his own, is still in business today. Apple Jack was originally developed as a means to do something with all those apples that would otherwise go bad in the days before food processing moved off the farm.
Traditional Apple Jack is made by cold distillation of hard cider during which the cider is chilled to near freezing. The first ice crystals to form are composed mostly of water; once removed the remaining alcohol and apple flavors are concentrated. Cold distillation was known as “jacking” the cider. Most modern Apple Jack is made from apple brandy diluted with grain spirits or water until the desired alcohol level is reached.
The original Apple Jack Rabbit is known to sweet to the point of discomfort. Over the years, it has been modified to the version outlined below. Real maple syrup, while not a traditional cocktail ingredient, is absolutely required and makes the drink. Any other kind of syrup or sweetener will not do.
WARNING - All who have tried this drink tend to let it get away from them the first time out. It is that good and that smooth. Plan on no more than one or two, unless you have a personal crisis to deal with. Those with a tendency towards fruity drinks, may reduce the amount of apple jack ever so slightly.
Apple Jack Rabbit
1 1/2 ounce applejack or apple brandy (Laird’s Old Brandy preferred)
1/4 ounce fresh orange juice (out of the carton will do but why stop short?)
1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice (out of a lemon, not a bottle, no matter what)
1/4 ounce maple syrup (real maple syrup, got it?)
2 maraschino cherries
Procedure
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake well until the shaker is too cold to handle; strain into martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (required).
PS - The best gear for your cocktail bar and where to get it will soon appear in the proper kit area of the site.
PSS - Commercial maraschino cherries are an abomination. They actual soak the things in lye during the process. When cherries are back in season this summer, we’ll show you how to make your own for a lot more money and effort than it takes to buy them - but you’ll never go back once you try these.
Ummm. I don’t drink.
So …I give it a pass.
Ok, I’ll take an occasional port in winter time to warm up the body plus get some iron to boost up my red blood cell….
I’m not even a social drinker.
John Ho
Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (WordPress)
Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (Vox Blog)
Christian:
thanks for the recipe, I will try it. I usually use Apple Jack in cooking and, while I have drank it, never made cocktails from it.
I AM looking forward to your Maraschino Cherry recipe.
Steve
Sounds great, I used to love Hard Cider and had some fantastic stuff on the Normany Coast near Mont St. Michel… (where the omelette was invented)…
Seize the Day,
Rob
Personal Asset Protection For Small Business Owners
Have You Covered Your Assets?
Oohhh - This sounds delightful! Thanks for the recipe and look forward to the Maraschino Cherry recipe, too.
Christian, just fyi - I’ve been trying to blog on your sight for several days and I keep getting an 404 Error Message. Any thoughts?
Pam
Hmm… This sounds awesome. It’s on my list for my next trip to the US.
All the best,
Yann
Christian,
Just checking in to say hello!
kevin hogan
Sounds fantastic too me. My grandmother used to make Maraschino cherries and my grandfather made hard cider. When i was six i ate a whole jar of the cherries. bad idea.
Don Shepherd
oregon or bust
That sounds great, I’ll give it a try. I know what you mean though, there is no substitute for real maple syrup. My camp in the UPSTATE NY is located in one of the largest producing counties in the north country.
Thanks
JC JC
Mmmm…. Yum!
Now we could have a helluva party with this!
This made me laugh out loud:
“Plan on no more than one or two, unless you have a personal crisis to deal with.”
Always a pleasure Christian!
JJ Jalopy
Life Coaching and Home Business Advice with JJ Jalopy
OOOOOOOOH! Salt, Drinks. I love this diet so far. You and I are going to be FRIENDS!!! and I don’t have any trouble posting on your site. Whatever the problem with my site on vox was, must have made me compatible with your blog!!!!
SunnyMarie
Glamour and Glitz
http://www.sunnymarie.wordpress.com
I do drink and it sounds good.
Thanks
Bob Kaufer
If you MOVE like the Tin Man, you will THINK like the Scarecrow and FEEL like the Lion
Hey Christian,
I’m trying out commenting on your blog myself, since many folks are having problems doing so.
Good job with the blogging so far!
Craig
Boy does that sound good. Thanks for the recipe. Mark
Marketingscoops
Glacier Ice Cream
I never even heard of apple jack. I thought that was a cereal! I’ll have to give it a try sometime. Thanks
Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert - Babysitters, Nannies, and Au-pairs
Sounds good! As soon as I am done with nursing, I will give it a try…although Alessandra might sleep through the night!
Just kidding Lisa…please don’t write about me on the next blog.
Cheers,
Jen B
The Harwood Center – Tinnitus, Chronic Illness, Fers, Phobias, and Anxiety
Hey Christian,
sounds sensational for those who are drinkers but like John don’t but do know a few people that I will be passing on this info to as well as your blog address!!
Keep it coming
Duane
Learn Winning Persuasion
Techniques that Work Like Magic by Tapping Into the Psychology of
the Mind with Persuasion Expert Duane Cunningham!
Christian,
Sounds like a great recipe.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Apple Jack to a new level of sophistication. Thanks for the recipe. Will have to try it sometime soon.
-Pat
Business Owners Fast Track to Internet Profits
My late father told us tails of making this in college or grad school because the university was in such a snow cold environment that putting the beverage outdoors would freeze the water and alcohol strengthen the drink.
sounds yummy!
All the best,
April Braswell
Dating Expert and Relationship Coach
Online Dating Sites Review, Internet Dating Sites Guide
Greatings, Super post, Need to mark it on Digg
Zoran
Thats sounds so wonderful…your such an expert!!
Expert in Medical Hypnosis,Success Thinking and Practical Parenting
David Power’s Hour
Hi, good post. I have been thinking about this topic,so thanks for posting. I will definitely be subscribing to your site.
Hi, interesting post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for writing. I’ll definitely be subscribing to your posts. Keep up the good work