Paul Kushner
The Applejack Old Fashioned is a seasonal twist on the timeless Old Fashioned, perfect for autumn or winter evenings. This cocktail highlights the smooth, fruity depth of apple brandy, giving the drink a rich base with hints of orchard sweetness. Maple syrup replaces the traditional sugar, adding warmth and a subtle, earthy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spirit. Aromatic bitters and baking spice bitters bring layers of flavor, tying in notes of cinnamon and clove for extra comfort. Finished with an orange peel garnish, this drink is cozy, flavorful, and sophisticated, making it ideal for sipping on cool nights.
Tasting Notes
The Applejack Old Fashioned is a seasonal twist on a classic cocktail, bringing together rich, warming flavors with refined balance. Apple brandy serves as the foundation, offering crisp orchard fruit notes alongside smooth depth. Maple syrup replaces the traditional sugar cube, adding earthy sweetness with a hint of caramel richness. Angostura bitters contribute herbal and spiced complexity, while baking spice bitters introduce a warm blend of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. The garnish of orange peel or cinnamon stick enhances aroma and presentation, rounding out the drink with citrus brightness or cozy spice for a polished, autumn-ready cocktail.
Equipment and Glassware
This Applejack Old Fashioned is simple in technique but benefits from precise bar tools. A mixing glass and bar spoon are essential for stirring the drink to proper dilution and chill. A jigger ensures accurate measurements, balancing sweetness, bitterness, and spirit. A strainer allows a clean pour into the serving glass. For presentation, a rocks glass is ideal, especially with a large-format ice cube that chills without quickly diluting the flavors. A sharp peeler or channel knife is useful for preparing the orange peel garnish. If desired, a cinnamon stick doubles as both a garnish and aromatic stirrer.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces apple brandy
- 0.5 ounce maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 dash baking spice bitters
- Orange peel or cinnamon stick optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a chilled mixing glass, combine the apple brandy, maple syrup, Angostura bitters, and baking spice bitters.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube, if available.
- Express the oils from an orange peel by gently squeezing it over the glass, then drop the peel into the drink.
- Optionally, garnish with a cinnamon stick for an extra touch of warmth and spice.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, spiced flavors of this Applejack Old Fashioned.
Pro Tips
- Use a quality apple brandy for depth and complexity.
- Stir gently but long enough for proper dilution and chill.
- Large ice cubes are best to prevent over-dilution.
- Warm the orange peel slightly before expressing for stronger oils.
- Choose maple syrup with a robust flavor grade for richer sweetness.
- Baking spice bitters can be swapped for chocolate or cardamom bitters.
- Double strain to remove small ice shards for a smoother finish.
- Adjust syrup quantity to your preferred sweetness level.
When to Serve
The Applejack Old Fashioned is perfectly suited for autumn and winter occasions, offering a cozy yet classic feel. It’s an ideal pre-dinner cocktail for holiday gatherings, pairing beautifully with hearty dishes and seasonal menus. Its warming flavors also make it a fitting fireside drink on cold evenings, whether shared with guests or enjoyed solo. Because it has the familiar structure of a traditional Old Fashioned, it appeals to cocktail enthusiasts while offering something new and seasonal. Its balance of fruit, spice, and richness makes it versatile, celebratory, and a thoughtful choice for both casual and formal settings.
Which Liquor Brands to Choose
- Apple Brandy: Laird’s Applejack, Christian Drouin, Copper & Kings
- Bitters: Angostura, Fee Brothers, Bitter Truth
- Maple Syrup: Crown Maple, Coombs Family Farms, Butternut Mountain Farm
Similar Cocktails
- Caramel Apple Manhattan
- The Woodsman Cocktail
- Sir Isaac Newton Cocktail
- Apple Brandy Negroni
- Applejack Rabbit Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces apple brandy
- 0.5 ounce maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 dash baking spice bitters
- Orange peel or cinnamon stick optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a chilled mixing glass, combine the apple brandy, maple syrup, Angostura bitters, and baking spice bitters.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube, if available.
- Express the oils from an orange peel by gently squeezing it over the glass, then drop the peel into the drink.
- Optionally, garnish with a cinnamon stick for an extra touch of warmth and spice.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, spiced flavors of this Applejack Old Fashioned.
Notes
- For an extra burst of flavor, lightly flame the orange peel before expressing the oils.
- Use a high-quality apple brandy for the best balance of fruity and rich notes.
- If you prefer a stronger spice profile, add an extra dash of baking spice bitters.
I was looking for a way to use the Lairds I just bought since it was awful to me on its own. I love a good old fashioned and found this recipe was perfect. I used Runamok pumpkin spice infused maple syrup in place of baking spice bitters since I didn’t have that on hand. Thank you for helping me be able to enjoy my Laird’s applejack!