Newton's Gravity Apple

 

This is a funny and sublime name for a cocktail made with applejack. I can just see it now. A physics major drinking at a bar asks for some kind of a cocktail that he can name after Issac Newton. Afterward there is some confusion among the laity as to why applejack is an important ingredient. The bartender explains that its the "gravity apple guy's drink!"

Even so, this simple cocktail suffices. I'm really enjoying Laird's Applejack 86. This is the third bottle I've purchased and I like it better than their 80-proof for its strength and flavor and I'm not sure I'll bother buying aged apple brandy again.

• 1 1/2 oz. apple brandy (Laird's Applejack 86 used--as it is actually apple brandy)
• 1/2 oz. curacao or triple sec (Leroux triple sec used)
• several dashes Angostura bitters
• apple slice (optional garnish)

Combine spirits in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. The apple slice is not required but it is a nice touch.

Apple Brandy Cocktail

Sometimes a weird cocktail is exactly what is needed to transport you from the ordinary. That is the case with the Apple Brandy cocktail, at least it was when I made it. I wish I could make it again, but I had a small jar of homemade apple brandy aged in white oak. This had all the funkiness of a craft cider in whiskey form. The flavors were strong and I had to break out a fresh slice of apple as a tasty garnish to pair with the drink.

• 2 oz. apple brandy
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. grenadine
•  apple slice (optional)

Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple slice if you are so moved.

Frozen Apple

It's nearly a dessert drink with its egg white foam whipped up into lime juice and apple brandy. I used some bootleg apple brandy that has been infused with actual winesap apples. It was really fruity and rich. The texture was perfect, like a foam, not a slushy, so this is definitely a good cocktail to do. I recommend using apple brandy, not calvados or applejack. You want that rich apple flavor to come through since it is the only source.

• 2 oz. apple brandy
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 egg white
• 1 tsp. sugar
• apple slice

Combine all ingredients except the apple slice in a blender with cracked ice. Blend until smooth and pour into a chilled Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with the apple slice. 

Apple Pie

Unusually, I made this entire cocktail with bootleg moonshine. I can't tell you where I got the stuff, but it is a very small amount, as you can see in the jars in the photo above. Vanilla infused vodka is a major part of the flavor of this drink. I made it by dropping a vanilla bean in a jar of vodka and let it infuse for several days.

The apple brandy I used is actually an infusion of winesap apples in apple brandy (moonshine). I used this in place of Calvados, which also has a strong apple flavor. Either of these spirits is preferable to applejack, which doesn't have much flavor.

As it was, this moonshine cocktail was too strong to enjoy. I recommend adding a touch of simple syrup or even a splash of water to make it more refreshing.

• 3 oz. vanilla flavored vodka (vanilla infused vodka used)
• 1/2 oz. Calvados (apple infused apple brandy used)
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• apple slice

Combine liquid ingredients in a Collins glass full of ice. Stir and garnish with the apple slice.