Jack Rose
The Jack Rose is a delightfully tart cocktail perfect for sipping as the seasons change from summer to autumn. Consisting of only three ingredients, this combination of applejack, lemon juice, and grenadine delivers a delicious flavor without being overly complex. For those who may be wondering, applejack is a type of apple brandy that was originally made through process called “jacking.” Although now applejack is distilled using more contemporary methods, this process entailed freezing apple cider and removing the ice as a means to concentrate its alcohol content. I highly recommend using Laird & Company’s “bottled-in-bond” or “bonded” 100 proof bottle as this is its purest form and not blended with neutral grain spirits. Foregoing the typical sweetening agents, the Jack Rose relies on the pomegranate syrup, grenadine, for both flavor and color. Although you can make your grenadine from scratch using just a few household ingredients, if you opt to purchase the syrup, avoid any bright vibrant red color — it’s a clear indicator of both taste and quality. When it comes to preparation, this cocktail is shaken and served “up” in a chilled coupe glass. I like to garnish the Jack Rose with a fan of apple slices on a cocktail skewer, however, a citrus peel or wheel is more commonplace. That being said, there does not appear to be a consensus between which citrus (lemon or lime) as both seem to be generally acceptable depending upon which juice you use in the cocktail itself. But don’t take my word for it, make one and try it for yourself!
Jack Rose
In your shaker, combine the grenadine, lemon juice, and applejack.
0.75 oz of Grenadine
1 oz of Lemon Juice
2 oz of Applejack
Add ice to your shaker and shake until it develops a frost. Double-strain contents (by pouring the contents from the shaker through a fine mesh strainer) into your chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a fan of apple slices.
TIP(S):
Chill your cocktail coupe — to extend the life of your Jack Rose, place your cocktail coupe in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can place ice water in your cocktail coupe cocktail glass during the preparation.
