Apple Rum Rickey

A Rickey is a Rickey--unless it is this apple rum thing. First of all, what is apple rum. It's not a thing, actually. Or maybe it is no different from apple whiskey, which is also known as apple brandy. So that still doesn't make it a thing. What you can do to make this drink is use a rum with some real sugar flavors as sweetener (Rickeys have no added sugar) to the apple brandy like mine that is made with winesap apples.

This Rickey is strange in that you are supposed to taste the brandy and rum and not lime juice. The twist is there as only a suggestion of lime. The drink is dry and doesn't mess around despite it's lower alcohol content. Very good on a hot day.

• 1 oz. apple brandy
• 1/2 oz. light rum (Vitae Platinum Used)
• sparkling water (Perrier used)
• lime twist

Combine rum and apple brandy in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled highball glass full of fresh ice cubes. Top with sparkling water and stir gently. Garnish with the lime twist. 

Floradora

Floradora is a nice gin long drink that is similar to a Rickey but sweetened with grenadine. That accounts for the pretty pink color that is rightly described by its name. I was saddened to see that no garnish was suggested for a drink that just asks to be dressed up. I went with mint, but a flower or fruit slices would be acceptable as well.

• 2 oz. gin
• 2 oz. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. grenadine
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• sparkling water
• Optional garnish of mint sprigs or a flower recommended.

Combine all ingredients except for garnish and sparkling water in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled highball glass full of fresh ice. Top with sparkling water and stir gently. Garnish at will.

Billy Taylor

The Billy Taylor is named after the jazz pianist and composer and shares a strong resemblance with the Gin Rickey with one exception--there's a little sugar added to warm things up. It's good, still tart and strong, but good for winter as well as summer drinking.

• 2 oz. gin
• 1 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• sparkling water

Combine all ingredients except sparkling water with ice in a shaker. Shake and strain over fresh ice in a Collins glass. Stir gently.