Moment of Silence

From the excellent RogueBeta Cocktail book. A modern classic.

1 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey
1 oz Apricot Liqueur
1/2 oz Averna
1/2 oz Angostura
1/4 oz Applejack

Rinse a down glass with Campari. Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled glass and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into the rinsed glass and garnish with an orange peel.

Pink Lady

For people who have never had a drink with egg, I think this (or the Pisco Sour) is the best introduction. This recipe comes from the lovely Little Black Book of Cocktails by LUPEC Boston.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Applejack
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Grenadine
1 Egg White

Add ingredients to an empty shaker, shake for 5 seconds to emulsify ingredients. Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 20-25 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass or small wine glass.

Because the proportion of grenadine is pretty big, only use a good homemade version. You should use homemade for all recipes calling for grenadine, but it is particularly important here.

Enjoy.

Diamondback

Like its deadly namesake, this drink is very potent. If properly made, however, the result is quite smooth.

1 1/2 oz Rye
3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
3/4 oz Applejack

Combine ingredients in an ice-filled glass and stir for 20-25 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy.

Widow's Touch

Invented by John Gertsen, now the head bartender at Drink in Boston, this drink is a riff on the classic Widow's Kiss. It's also one of the best cocktails to feature the excellent St-Germain elderflower liqueur.

1 1/4 oz Applejack
3/4 oz St-Germain
1/4 oz Bénédictine
1 dash Angostura

Combine in an ice-filled glass and stir for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy.

Widow's Kiss

This is a classic fall/winter drink, over 100 years old, that combines two of the great monk-made liqueurs, Bénédictine and Chartreuse. A little on the sweeter side.

1 1/2 oz Calvados (or other apple brandy)
3/4 oz Bénédictine
3/4 oz Yellow Chartreuse
2 dashes Angostura

Combine in an ice-filled glass and stir for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy.

Jack Rose

The quintessential applejack drink, this is also one of the best uses of homemade grenadine.

1 1/2 oz Applejack
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1 Bar Spoon Homemade Grenadine

Combine in an ice-filled glass and shake for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a lime or lemon peel.

Enjoy.