Applejack Rabbit

A good cocktail for the fall is the applejack-based APPLEJACK RABBIT. This full-flavored, multi-layered recipe is a dive into an orchard of fruits covered in a dash of maple syrup. It’s mixed with two common citrus ingredients, orange & lemon juice, making it simple to make at home. It dates back more than a century ago. If jackrabbits drank instead of invading gardens or orchards, they’d likely find this to be quite the treat and spend the day lounging happily on the prairie.

Requirements: Laird’s bonded apple brandy (Applejack), lemon juice, orange juice, maple syrup (grade B preferred), lemon twist optional

• 2 oz. Laird’s Applejack
• 3/4 oz. lemon juice
• 3/4 oz. orange juice
• 1/4 – 1/2 oz. maple syrup
• 1 lemon twist garnish (optional)

Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled (or frozen) coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist if desired.

History: Applejack is one of the oldest spirits in the U.S. The Laird family began producing Applejack as early as 1698 in New Jersey. It was popular during colonial times, but later lost popularity in bars with the increased popularity of other spirits available in the U.S. The recipe for the Applejack Rabbit was first published in 1927. It wasn’t ordered in bars much, but gained popularity when slightly modified (above) in the early 2000’s by bartender Jim Meehan at the Gramercy Tavern, NYC.

Comments: My preference is to do less maple syrup than the 1/2 ounce as published. Also, the Applejack Rabbit is a simplified version of the Applejack Sour (below) which adds aromatic bitters and nutmeg, also worth considering for a fall treat.

Similar Cocktails:

Applejack No.1 & 2 — https://keetscocktails.com/applejack-no-1/

Applejack Sour — https://keetscocktails.com/applejack-sour/

Jack Rose — https://keetscocktails.com/jack-rose-2/

North Garden — https://keetscocktails.com/north-garden-2/

Golden Dawn — https://keetscocktails.com/golden-dawn/