Applejack Rabbit Long
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 13.6% ABV ∙
The Applejack Rabbit Long is a shaken Calvados sour lengthened with orange and lemon juice and sweetened with maple syrup, served over ice. Apple brandy warmth meets bright citrus and a rounding maple sweetness, finishing with a dusting of cinnamon spice — an easy, autumnal sipper.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a jar
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Calvados 45 mlMaple syrup 15 mlOrange juice 30 mlLemon juice 20 ml and strain into the ice-filled jar
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and dust with freshly grated cinnamon
Tips
- Let cold maple syrup come up to room temperature before measuring — straight from the fridge it clings to the jigger and under-sweetens the shake.
- Warm the maple syrup slightly or stir it into the citrus juices before adding to the shaker so it doesn't clump or sink undissolved to the bottom.
- Strain over fresh cubed ice into the jar rather than the shaker ice, keeping the drink colder longer without over-diluting the Calvados base.
- Grate the cinnamon directly over the drink just before serving so the aromatic oils hit the nose first, complementing the cinnamon stick garnish.
History
The Applejack Rabbit Long is a lengthened, on-the-rocks take on the Applejack Rabbit, a Prohibition-era cocktail first published in Judge Jr.'s 1927 book Here's How. This long, jarred serve stretches the original short cocktail into a taller, more diluted format, adapted from a 2009 build by bartender Dino Koletsas at Bourne & Hollingsworth in London.
FAQ
What is in an Applejack Rabbit Long?
Calvados, maple syrup, fresh orange juice, and fresh lemon juice, shaken and poured over ice in a jar. The Calvados leads, with the orange and lemon giving it length and the maple rounding out the tartness.
Is an Applejack Rabbit Long shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The citrus and maple syrup need the aeration and quick chill of a hard shake to blend properly; stirring would leave the maple syrup separated and the drink flat.
What glass is an Applejack Rabbit Long served in?
A jar, filled with ice, and finished with a cinnamon stick and freshly grated cinnamon on top.
Can I use apple brandy instead of Calvados?
Yes, a similar apple brandy can stand in, though Calvados specifically is apple brandy from Normandy and gives this drink its characteristic depth. A different apple brandy will shift the flavor slightly but keeps the drink's structure intact.
