This is what you wish your apple juice tasted like. Boozy with a hint of lemon and spice. Or, think of it as drinking an apple pie! The recipe is from a fall cocktail party that Patrick and I hosted last year with one of my best friends and bartender, Max. It was one of the cocktails on the menu and, if I recall correctly, was the first cocktail to run out (gasp!), though the pumpkin old fashioned and the s’more-gasm were a close second and third.
In case you looked at the ingredient list and thought I sneezed while typing it up, Becherovka is an herbal liquor/bitters originally from the Czech Republic and it transforms this cocktail into something delectable. Apparently it is made from a secret recipe (probably invented by wizards) and no one really knows what’s in it (other than magic and likely ginger, cinnamon, or herbs). Basically, it is a fancy, adult version of fireball. Not that I know what fireball tastes like. Ahem. And no, you cannot substitute fireball for Becherovka in this cocktail. I would disown you.
This pairs well with almost any fall meal, but (spoiler alert), quite spectacularly with my rosemary and thyme whole roasted chicken. Check back for the roasted chicken recipe, which is coming next to the blog! I had it for lunch today. And dinner. And am going back for more, with a cocktail in hand.
APPLE BRANDY SOUR
makes one cocktail
1 ounce Applejack
1 ounce Becherovka*
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 to 1 tablespoons pure maple syrup (I recommend starting with 1/2 T and adding more if desired)
1 cinnamon stick, for grating
In a cocktail shaker or pint glass, stir all ingredients together with crushed ice. Strain into a coupe
*Becherovka can be found at most liquor stores, I found some at our local Bevmo
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