E&J Apple Brandy for Winter Treats - by Matt Lawler

This winter, a crackling fire calls for a cocktail that’s just as warming

There’s a few things that’re distinct winter-time staples. Big coats, orange leaves, snowball fights.(Not so much in Mississippi, but we can dream - Pete) One ingredient that remains near-and-dear during the coldest time of the year, though, is apples – and adults have found a way to make them into a delicious and gut-warming ingredient in a number of cocktails. If you’re entertaining company, a perfect bet to make them feel at home after hanging up the coat involves brandy. The distilled-wine is the definition of coziness, and is best enjoyed fireside. Apple brandy is an increasingly popular way to change up traditional cocktails, as well. It allows you to inject that distinct apple flavor into drinks without sacrificing what makes brandy so desirable.

So without further adieu, to get your fruit fix in a classy way, give some of these recipes a shot (or two): 

●     The Honeymoon

○     2 oz. E&J Apple Brandy

○     ½ oz. Orange Curaçao

○     ½ oz. Benedictine

○     Splash of lemon juice 

Simply combine all the ingredients and shake with ice before pouring into a chilled glass, preferable a coupe. The acidity of the apple brandy, the curaçao and lemon is balanced well with the more refined notes of the brandy and benedictine, making for a altogether pleasant beverage.

●     Hard Apple Slammer

○     4 ½  oz. of your preferred hard cider

○     1 ½  oz. E&J Apple Brandy 

Just pour both ingredients into a glass over ice and give it a gentle stir. It’s incredibly easy to make but refreshing, making it a perfect mixed drink to make if you’re entertaining a small crowd. It’s effervescent and ice-cold, but it’ll make great party-fare if you’re not trying to schmooze the crowd with a five-star meal.

●     Apple-brandy Hot Toddies

○     1 ½ cups water

○     2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons honey

○     2 cups E&J Apple Brandy

○     ½ cup lemon juice

○     8 cinnamon sticks 

This one is going to take bit more time than the previous recipes, but it’ll yield eight servings of warm and delicious twist on the hot toddy. Bring the water to a boil in a small pot, then remove it from the heat and stir in the honey until dissolved. Then stir in your apple brandy and lemon juice before pouring into mugs. Garnish with the cinnamon sticks. This is a quintessential cold-weather drink to lube up a small party for a social occasion after they’ve dragged themselves through the blistering cold. Serve with ginger snaps and expect to become the place-to-be for the season.

●     Apple Sidecar

○     1 ½ oz. E&J Apple Brandy

○     1 ¼ oz. Cointreau or other orange liqueur

○     Juice from a halved lemon

○     Dash of allspice

○     Apple slice 

Ah, the sidecar. There’s no better way to showcase a good brandy (although traditionally we’re talking Cognac) than with this ever-popular cocktail that’s remained largely unchanged since its birth in Europe shortly after the first World War. This spin on the acidic cocktail calls for apple brandy, along with a sprinkle of allspice and and an apple slice garnish. Simply shake your liquids with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with your garnishes and enjoy a drink even Hemingway himself couldn’t turn down.