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.
This pairs well with almost any fall meal, but (spoiler alert), quite spectacularly with my rosemary and thyme whole roasted chicken. I had it for lunch today. And dinner. And am going back for more, with a cocktail in hand.
APPLEJACK SOUR
makes one cocktail
1 ounce Applejack
1 ounce Becherovka*
1/2 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 Bevmo)
Dahlia Kitchen 
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