It’s the holiday time, and we have found ourselves with more than the usual amount of Laird’s Applejack Brandy lying about (long story), so here’s my first and obvious cocktail thereby: the Apple Pie, Jack . It truly tastes like an apple pie.
The Apple Pie, Jack
2 oz Applejack brandy
1 oz vanilla vodka, preferably homemade
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/4 oz cinnamon syrup
Shake with ice, pour, garnish
Vanilla vodka
2–3 vanilla beans, split
750 ml vodka
1/4 cup simple syrup
Add the vanilla beans to the vodka. Let soak in a cool, dark place for 2–3 days or until desired vanilla taste is reached. Add the 1/4 cup simple syrup.
Cinnamon syrup
2–3 cinnamon sticks
1 cup demerara sugar or Sugar in the Raw™
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vodka
Combine all ingredients in a pan. Bring to a boil and boil until all sugar is dissolved. Cool, cover, and allow to come to room temperature. Add vodka (for preservative), store.
I have not tried this with store-bought vanilla vodka; I expect it might have a harsher taste.