Apple Brandy

Before Prohibition nearly killed it off, apple brandy was America’s most popular spirit — Laird’s has been making it in New Jersey since 1698. It brings a rich, cooked-apple warmth to cocktails like the Jack Rose and the Widow’s Kiss. Calvados, the French version, tends to be more refined and floral. In an Old Fashioned, swap bourbon for apple brandy and you’ve got a completely different drink that still feels classic. Great in fall and winter, but honestly drinkable year-round.

Last modified on September 24, 2026