Applejack Rabbit

A renowned American cocktail that combines a myriad of autumnal flavours, Applejack Rabbit is underscored by the juiciness of freshly pressed orange juice. This drink was originally curated from the North American potable Applejack - a specific kind of apple brandy, aged for two years in wood.

Applejack gets its name from apples, of course, but also due to the 'jacking process', which simply means freeze distillation. This involves freezing the hard cider and emptying the ice from the mixture, which leads to an increase in the content of alcohol.

First featured in Here's How, authored by Norman Hume Anthony in 1927, Applejack Rabbit is an icon of the Prohibition Era in America. Further, this simple yet iconic cocktail appeared in Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930 and David A Embury's The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, in 1948.

Bordering on the lines of being omitted, Applejack Rabbit was given a facelift in the early 2000s by the legendary Jim Meehan—a pioneering personality in the craft-cocktail revival affair. Meehan assembled the drink with Laird & Company's Bonded Apple Brandy, zesty lemon juice, fresh orange juice and Grade B maple syrup. His recipe involves a generous squeeze of lemon juice, unlike the original one, which propels the notes of the brandy and maple syrup into prominence.

Essentially, Applejack Rabbit delivers warm apple notes decadent with maple syrup, and the citrusy juices further add to the drink's taste. This crisp drink is also labelled as 'Applejack Dynamite', and when concocted with a gin base with a dash of Angostura bitters, it is called the 'Old Vermont'.

The best part about this cocktail is the simplicity that it is laced with. All ingredients combined, the cocktail is shaken with ice and then intricately strained into a chilled coupe glass. Garnished with a lemon wedge, some may use apple sugar instead of the recommended maple syrup. However, it has the same disadvantage that regular sugar offers, compared to sugar syrup.

In all, whipping up an Applejack Rabbit introduces the palate with a refreshing and stimulating cocktail experience, braided with flavours straight out of an apple orchard. This drink proposes an unexampled flavour profile, which has stood the test of time and how! Applejack Rabbit is relished throughout the year but the fall and spring seasons are deemed best for its consumption by cocktail connoisseurs.