Triple A – An Apple Cider, Applejack, and Angostura Bitters Cocktail

After looking around at many of the great cocktail and mixology sites online, I started to get a little self-conscious about posting my own drink recipes. When I decided to make this drink, I didn’t want to just re-hash seasonal Apple Cider cocktails. Instead, I wanted to try something original. I have no idea if this drink is actually all that original, but I haven’t really found anything exactly like it after doing some minimal research. I also didn’t find anything with the same name.

All in all, the drink actually came out pretty well. I made it cold instead of hot, but you can also make it as a hot drink (see below). I had never had Applejack before, but I saw it used in a couple of drinks made by Putney Farm and The Liquid Culture Project, so I knew I should try it out. It’s actually made from apples, tastes like the love child of bourbon and apples, and is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) American-made liquors. I’m really glad that I had the chance to mess around with it for this drink. I questioned whether or not the orange would work with the Apple cider, but I really think it did. The bitters (which I am not always a fan of) actually added a really interesting flavor to the drink that wasn’t overpowering. The orange probably helped to offset the bitters a bit, which created a milder flavor. I definitely couldn’t have more than one or two of these drinks because it’s really sweet, but it was fun to make, festive, and pretty tasty overall.

Makes one serving with about 196 calories.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Applejack (about 104 cal.)
• 6 oz. Cold/Hot Apple Cider (about 90 cal.)
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters (about 2 cal.)
• 1 orange slice as garnish
• 1 cinnamon stick as garnish

Equipment:

• Ounce measurement tool or jigger
• Cocktail shaker or other shakeable container
• Rocks glass or wine glass for a cold beverage or a mug for a hot beverage
• If making a hot version, then a small sauce pot

Directions for a Cold Triple A:

1. Measure out 1.5 oz. of Applejack and add to cocktail shaker.
2. Measure out 6 oz. of apple cider and add this to the cocktail shaker.
3. Add in two small dashes of Angostura bitters. You can use orange bitters instead, which might actually be better, but that ruins my cool “Triple A” name concept.
4. Shake the ingredients thoroughly and then pour them out in a rocks glass (over ice if you like) or into a wine glass for a classier presentation.
5. Cut a half-ring slice of an orange and float it on the top of the drink.
6. Add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer and serve.

Directions for a Hot Triple A:

1. Measure out 6 oz. of apple cider, add this to a small pot, and set it on the stove to medium-low heat.
2. Add in the cinnamon stick and bring the apple cider to a low simmer.
3. Measure out 1.5 oz. of Applejack and add to a mug.
4. Pour the hot cider into the mug over the apple jack with the cinnamon stick.
5. Add in two small dashes of Angostura bitters.
6. Stir the ingredients thoroughly.
7. Cut a half-ring slice of an orange and float it on the top of the drink.
8. Serve while still hot.