The applejack rabbit is a marvelous cocktail. Simple, sumptuous, and incredibly well-balanced, it also makes a perfect drink for celebrating the autumn harvest season. It starts with an ambrosial base of applejack or Calvados and then combines the lively tartness of fresh citrus with the rich sweetness of maple syrup. The original recipe dates back nearly a century, and its longevity is a testament to the fact that the best cocktails are often both surprisingly easy to prepare and luxurious to sip.

Applejack rabbit served in a coupe glass garnished with a thin slice of apple sitting on a worn wooden outdoor table strewn with a few yellow fallen leaves.

If you're in the market for more easy cocktails to celebrate autumn and all things apple, you may also enjoy a simple Calvados & Tonic.

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Ingredients for an Applejack Rabbit
Instructions for an Applejack Rabbit
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Pairing
📖 Recipe

Ingredients for an Applejack Rabbit

applejack or Calvados
fresh orange juice
fresh lemon juice
maple syrup
apple slice or lemon twist (optional, to garnish)
ground cinnamon (optional, to garnish)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions for an Applejack Rabbit

Orange half being squeezed on a yellow plastic juicer next to two lemon halves and another orange half sitting on a cutting board.

Begin by juicing the orange and the lemon.

Ice being dropped into a cocktail shaker sitting in front of an ice cube tray with a blue lid.

Add plenty of ice to a cocktail shaker.

Pale amber liquid being tipped from a steel measuring jigger into a cocktail shaker full of ice next to a bottle of Calvados.

Pour in the applejack or Calvados.

Orange liquid being tipped from a steel measuring jigger into a cocktail shaker.

Then add the fresh orange juice and the fresh lemon juice.

Amber liquid being tipped from a steel measuring jigger into a cocktail shaker next to a bottle of maple syrup.

Finally, add the maple syrup.

Straw colored liquid being poured from a steel cocktail shaker into a coupe glass.

Shake until well-chilled, about 30 seconds, and strain into a coupe glass.

Applejack rabbit served in a coupe glass and garnished with a thin slice of apple.

Garnish with a thin slice of apple or lemon twist and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.

Top tip

An applejack rabbit can be made with either American applejack brandy or French Calvados. Feel free to use whichever you prefer...this cocktail is equally delicious either way!

Looking for more cocktails to enjoy when the autumn leaves begin to fall? Try these:

Pairing

These are a few of my favorite dishes to serve after kicking off the meal with an applejack rabbit:

📖 Recipe

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Applejack Rabbit

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword apple, autumn, cocktail, easy, fall, quick, Thanksgiving

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 1 drink

Equipment

cocktail shaker

Ingredients

2 ounces applejack or Calvados
¾ ounce fresh orange juice
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
½ ounce maple syrup
thin slice of apple or lemon twist (to garnish)
sprinkle ground cinnamon (optional, to garnish)

Instructions

Combine the applejack or Calvados with the orange juice, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a cocktail shaker along with plenty of ice.
Shake until well-chilled, about 30 seconds.
Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a thin slice of apple or lemon twist and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.