Applejack Rabbit

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Cocktail History

The Applejack Rabbit is a vintage cocktail that was originally created in 1927 by Judge Jr but was reintroduced in the mid-2000s when bartender Jim Meehan revamped the recipe and started serving it at Gramercy Tavern in New York City, New York. His modern version uses Laird’s apple brandy as the primary spirit, giving the drink its signature autumnal flavor, and balances it with the sweetness of maple syrup and the tartness of lemon and orange juices. This harmonious mix of ingredients makes the cocktail a timeless, refreshing cocktail with a cozy, seasonal twist.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Apple Brandy: This is a type of brandy made with fermented apple juice and yeast, which is distilled and aged to develop a smooth, fruity flavor.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.

Orange Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe oranges that has a light, sweet citrus flavor and pale orange color.

Maple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with concentrated maple tree sap, which is boiled down into a rich, caramelized syrup.

Lemon Twist: This is the peel of a lemon that has been twisted into a corkscrew shape.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Laird’s Straight Apple Brandy Bottled In Bond
• 🔗 Hamel Pure Maple Syrup

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Peeler: This is a handheld kitchen tool with a sharp blade that’s used for removing thin strips of peel from fruits and vegetables.

Coupe Glass: This is a stemmed glass with a shallow, wide bowl that’s used for serving shaken cocktails and sparkling drinks without ice.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Piece Peeler Set

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Golden orange color

• Aroma: Lemon and apple

• Taste: Bright fruity flavor of apple and citrus with notes of the barrel-aged spirit

• Finish: Apple and orange tinge

Kendall’s Take
“This recipe opens with a bright pop of citrus, but stick with it and you’ll find beautiful layers unfolding underneath. The brandy, maple, and baking spices build warmth through the middle and finish, creating a drink that feels both lively and cozy at the same time. The Applejack Rabbit is a lovely balance of tangy and autumnal, in my opinion, and a refreshing addition to any fall cocktail lineup.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Liquor.com.