It's peak fall-and that means APPLES!
With the days getting cooler and the leaves starting to turn, I've really been craving this cocktail. Normally I select the cocktail that perfectly complements the mid-century modern story that I want to share, but this time I selected the Beinecke Rare Book Library to accompany the cocktail. (Hey did you miss the post of the Beinecke? Check it out here!) Fall always reminds me of "back to school" and classic red brick college campuses. And of course apples, just now ripe, are peak fall. Do kids still give apples to their teachers? Applejack is a colonial era spirit, which was quite popular until the nineteenth century when production of other spirits began in earnest and gave it some competition. According to Laird's website, Robert Laird fought in the American revolution and provided the revolutionary troops with Applejack brandy! The first distillery in New Jersey was incorporated in 1780; and Applejack was often referred to as New Jersey Lightening. George Washington asked for the recipe around1760 and legend has it Abraham Lincoln served it when he was a tavern bar keep in Springfield Illinois. The distillery was miraculously allowed to re-open at the tail end of prohibition to produce spirits for "medicinal purposes". One can't help but wonder if this had anything to do with the fact that FDR, who had just been elected president, was a fan. Rumor has it the FDR enjoyed Applejack in his Manhattan! The company and distillery has since moved to Virginia, where ninth generation Lisa Laird-Dunn now runs the company. Recipe
2 oz. Applejack brandy
1/2 oz. Cointreau
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice Add the ingredients and ice to a shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into a chilled coupe and garnish with a lemon twist. That's it! Super easy and super delish.
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