Red and powerful, the sour, sweet and strong Jack Rose cocktail will put a relaxed spring in your step.
When you see the name of tonight’s drink, the Jack Rose cocktail, what comes to mind? I’m a fella of a certain age, with memories of specific movies that took the world by storm. This isn’t an out-of-the-ordinary experience, as anyone with a pulse can say the same thing, but anyway, I digress. When I saw our recipe’s handle, my brain immediately was whisked back to the characters of Jack and Rose, saying their goodbyes in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic as tragedy unfolded all around them in James Cameron’s monster success Titanic, from 1997. If you thought that too, hooray, I’m not alone. But this drink has nothing to do with that movie.
The Jack Rose is a powerful, punchy mixture of applejack and grenadine, served straight up in a long-stemmed cocktail coupe. Its origins are contested, with a few different stories attached to its creation. Some legends tell of a 1900s gangster named Bald Jack Rose, whose exploits helped inspire the cocktail’s creation. Others say that a bartender in New Jersey, Frank J. Way, who went by the nickname Jack Rose, was the father of the drink.
But many still think this delectable tipple was christened the Jack Rose because of the use of applejack as the base spirit, and the resulting rose-colored look that it has. Whatever the official history may be, it is hidden somewhere deep in every sip.
What Is Applejack?
Applejack is a type of apple brandy that has its roots going all the way back to Colonial times in the United States. It is named as such because of a process called “jacking”, where fermented apple cider is frozen, then the ice is removed, resulting in a very potent spirit, featuring a higher and stronger alcohol content. Laird’s Straight Applejack 86 is a popular brand that is also easily found at most liquor stores.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces applejack
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the applejack, fresh lemon juice, and grenadine.
- Add ice cubes and shake well.
- Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass. Twist a lemon peel over the drink to release its oils, then use it as garnish.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Chill a coupe in your freezer for up to 30 minutes before serving your drink. Express the oils from a lemon peel over your cocktail, then garnish the glass with it.
WHAT ELSE CAN BE USED INSTEAD OF APPLEJACK?
If you don’t have any applejack available, apple brandy is a wonderful alternative. The French version, calvados, is also a good choice.
Similar Drinks To The Jack Rose Cocktail
Cranberry is a fantastic, and robust mixer. Whether you’re swirling it with some vodka, or applejack, the juice from the tart and red little fruit matches perfectly with just about anything. If you crave a few drinks that feature the full-bodied berry, look no further than Twist & Toast.
- Vampire’s Kiss – Spooky and sweet, with a bite, of course.
- Pink Lemonade Vodka – A great treat for a hot day on the patio.
- Cranberry Whiskey Sour – A classic with cranberry, not to be missed.
- Cranberry Margarita – Enjoy this iconic summertime treat with a little tanginess.
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