When the hell did Autumn get switched on? Just last week it was 80 degrees and now it’s (literally) freezing outside. I sure as shit didn’t ask for this rapid seasonal transition, but such is the the way it is. Given that it’s now officially sweater weather, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to make a drink called Autumn Sweater. Especially since it calls for Laird’s Applejack, a brandy that I haven’t tried using before, and it gives me a perfect excuse to grab a bottle and experiment with it.

Autumn Sweater

2 tsp hot water
2 tsp maple syrup
1.5 oz. applejack (80 proof), such as Laird’s
.25 tsp Angostura bitters (about 2 dashes)
Ice
1 long strip fresh orange peel

Place 2 teaspoons hot water and 2 teaspoons maple syrup in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker and stir until well combined. Add 1 1/2 ounces applejack and 1/4 teaspoon Angostura bitters. Add enough ice to fill the mixing glass about half-full. Stir until the cocktail is very chilled, about 30 seconds. Pour the cocktail through a strainer into a 4-ounce or larger coupe glass, or strain into an old-fashioned glass (filled with ice if desired). Twist the orange peel directly over the cocktail’s surface, then garnish with the peel.

The aromas here are very strong on the orange initially.  No doubt due to the oversize peel garnish. I don’t get much more than that though. I thought I would get some of the brandy, but not so much.

Now the sip. Oh. This is…interesting. I get a lot of sweetness to start, before any of the apple brandy really starts to come through. But it does come through fairly quickly, and when it does, the apple is unmissable. Speaking of the Lairds, this is the first time I’ve used it before so I was not sure what to expect here, and I must say, I do enjoy how much apple really comes through here. Anyway the apple mixes well with the melted down maple syrup, adding a nice background flavor that works really well and comes together to balance this out.

The finish is rather nice, if just a touch sweet for my liking. The syrup adds a little thicker mouth feel at the end as well, and it hangs around for a bit once you’ve finished taking a sip. Though thankfully it quickly dissipates.

I’m not gonna lie, when I read the name and the description of this drink, I thought it was going to be a warm drink, especially since the first ingredient calls for hot water. So I was a little disappointed when I discovered it wasn’t a hot drink. However, I think it would still work here. Warm brandy is always a good decision in the cooler fall weather. I imagine the maple syrup would be toned down a bit if it was warmer, since I imagine the syrup would still stay diluted a little longer, rather than have it cold stirred and/or served over ice in a rocks glass. I think I need to try this sometime soon.

(Banner image courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)