Applejack

A strong alcoholic beverage made from apples is called applejack. The beverage was common throughout the American colonial era but fell out of favor as other spirits gained ground on it in the 19th and 20th centuries. Several cocktails, including the Jack Rose, contain applejack. It is a specific kind of fruit brandy. The traditional method of making the beverage, known as "jacking," involves freezing fermented cider and then removing the ice to increase the alcohol concentration.

American colonists discovered how to "jack" their homemade hard apple cider in the 17th century, which is the process of letting the liquid freeze outside and then separating it from the ice. The end product, known as "applejack," was essentially an apple brandy that was sweeter and less polished than French calvados. William Laird of New Jersey started making his own applejack in 1698, and after it became popular (George Washington even requested the recipe), Laird & Company went on to become the country's first legally recognized commercial distillery. Despite modifying its methods, the company is still operating today.

Origin: America