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    Bored With Cider? Enjoy a Taste of Classic Americana With Apple Brandy

    Need a mouthwatering pick-me-up to help you survive the frosty season? Give cider a break, and warm up with soothing apple brandy instead. RECIPE: Can't Give Up Cider? Here Are 10 Cider Cocktails You Should Try Right Now While it may sound like a new concept in the cocktail world, apple brandy is steeped in rich American history, with roots that travel back as far as the Colonial days. Notable fans like John Adams reportedly enjoyed it for breakfast, and Abraham Lincoln purveyed the distilled spirit in his Illinois tavern. Today, it’s best recognized as a sophisticated sipper from Normandy, France, where it's known as calvados. But here in America, apple brandy is experiencing its own comeback, especially among mixologists seeking to shake up their seasonal libations. "Until several years ago, there were only a small handful of apple [brandy] producers in the U.S.," explains Yoni Rabino, co-founder and distiller at New York-based distillery Neversink Spirits. "In the past few years, however, apple brandy has had a resurgence in the States. In the parts of the U.S. where we grow a large array of high-quality apples, we’ve seen many craft distilleries turn towards apples as their canvas, producing quality apple brandy using a variety of methods, apple varietals, and styles." "There is now a fantastic array of apple brandies available domestically," adds Rabino. READ: Pisco — The Brandy You're Probably Not Drinking (Yet) While a dram or two of smooth, luscious apple brandy — or its cousin applejack, America’s oldest spirit (which itself always contains at least 20 percent apple brandy) — can easily be savored on its own in a port glass, both aspiring and veteran bartenders are discovering new, delicious ways to enjoy this classic American drink. "For the more adventurous, try substituting it for the liqueurs you might use in your margaritas or cosmopolitans," says Jordan Catapano, mixologist for beverage retailer BevMo! "It pairs well with both clear and brown spirits, adding richness and flavor without stealing the show. You might add a few drops to your gin martini, or your rye on the rocks." Got a bottle of apple brandy at home, and don’t want to (completely) down the rest of it? Rabino shared some recipes that anyone can try for tasty results. Plus, America’s oldest native distillery, Laird & Company, which was favored by George Washington (who requested the Laird family recipe for applejack specifically), also chimes in on how anyone can make luscious cocktails like a pro:

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    Jack Rose Royale Ingredients 1¾ oz. apple brandy (the mixologist used Laird's Bonded 100) ½ oz. lemon juice ½ oz. simple syrup ¼ oz. grenadine 1 oz. Champagne 1 apple slice Preparation Add all ingredients, except for the Champagne and apple slice, in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until well combined. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with Champagne and an apple slice.
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    Created by Kenta Goto of Bar Goto in New York City
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    Three Rings Ingredients 1½ oz. bourbon (mixologist used Old Forrester) ½ oz. apple brandy (mixologist used Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy) ¼ oz. dried cherry syrup 1 barspoon (1 tsp.) dark rum (mixologist used Cruzan Black Strap Rum) 3 dashes bitters 2 drops cider vinegar cherries (for garnish) Preparation Build ingredients in a mixing glass over ice, and stir briefly to chill and dilute. Strain into a glass over fresh ice and garnish with cherries.
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    Created by Porchlight in New York City
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    Apple Crisp Ingredients ½ oz. fresh lemon juice ¾ oz. ginger liqueur (mixologist used Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur) 1½ oz. applejack (mixologist used Laird's Applejack) 2 oz. club soda 1 lemon wheel 1 ginger candy Preparation Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until ingredients are chilled and well incorporated. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon wheel and ginger candy.
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    Created by Christy Pope of Midnight Rambler in Dallas, Texas
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    Alexander Hamilton Ingredients 1½ oz. apple brandy (mixologist used Neversink Clear Apple Brandy) 1½ oz. aged rum ¼ oz. simple syrup dash of Angostura bitters 1 orange twist Preparation Add all ingredients in a rocks glass over ice and stir until chilled and well incorporated. Garnish drink with an orange twist.
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    Courtesy of Skurnik Wines & Spirits
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    Johnny Apple-Soda Ingredients 2 oz. apple brandy (mixologist used Neversink Clear Apple Brandy) ½ oz. lime juice ½ oz. grapefruit liqueur 3 oz. tonic water 1 lemon twist Preparation Add all ingredients in a highball glass with ice and stir until chilled and well incorporated. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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    Courtesy of Skurnik Wines + Spirits
  • Published
    6 Images

    Bored With Cider? Enjoy a Taste of Classic Americana With Apple Brandy

    Need a mouthwatering pick-me-up to help you survive the frosty season? Give cider a break, and warm up with soothing apple brandy instead. RECIPE: Can't Give Up Cider? Here Are 10 Cider Cocktails You Should Try Right Now While it may sound like a new concept in the cocktail world, apple brandy is steeped in rich American history, with roots that travel back as far as the Colonial days. Notable fans like John Adams reportedly enjoyed it for breakfast, and Abraham Lincoln purveyed the distilled spirit in his Illinois tavern. Today, it’s best recognized as a sophisticated sipper from Normandy, France, where it's known as calvados. But here in America, apple brandy is experiencing its own comeback, especially among mixologists seeking to shake up their seasonal libations. "Until several years ago, there were only a small handful of apple [brandy] producers in the U.S.," explains Yoni Rabino, co-founder and distiller at New York-based distillery Neversink Spirits. "In the past few years, however, apple brandy has had a resurgence in the States. In the parts of the U.S. where we grow a large array of high-quality apples, we’ve seen many craft distilleries turn towards apples as their canvas, producing quality apple brandy using a variety of methods, apple varietals, and styles." "There is now a fantastic array of apple brandies available domestically," adds Rabino. READ: Pisco — The Brandy You're Probably Not Drinking (Yet) While a dram or two of smooth, luscious apple brandy — or its cousin applejack, America’s oldest spirit (which itself always contains at least 20 percent apple brandy) — can easily be savored on its own in a port glass, both aspiring and veteran bartenders are discovering new, delicious ways to enjoy this classic American drink. "For the more adventurous, try substituting it for the liqueurs you might use in your margaritas or cosmopolitans," says Jordan Catapano, mixologist for beverage retailer BevMo! "It pairs well with both clear and brown spirits, adding richness and flavor without stealing the show. You might add a few drops to your gin martini, or your rye on the rocks." Got a bottle of apple brandy at home, and don’t want to (completely) down the rest of it? Rabino shared some recipes that anyone can try for tasty results. Plus, America’s oldest native distillery, Laird & Company, which was favored by George Washington (who requested the Laird family recipe for applejack specifically), also chimes in on how anyone can make luscious cocktails like a pro:

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