The Woodsman – Brandy Cocktail

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Last Updated on November 2, 2023 by Leah Hall

Perfectly compromised of fall flavors, this maple and brandy cocktail is perfect for sipping on those cool autumn nights.

During the long winter evenings we like to find cocktails that are good for sipping on. Especially while enjoying a good book and a roaring fire. While a good hot toddy or a classic Tom and Jerry are delicious hot cocktails in the winter, we still enjoy some chilled sippers. We love those that can bring a warm glow to you thanks to their big boozy punch. This brandy cocktail uses the classic mixing technique of a mixing glass.

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Apple Brandy and Maple

Today’s cocktail, The Woodsman fits into the big bold boozy category as it uses classic winter spirits of applejack and ginger liqueur to really bring the flavor!

Not the same coupes, ours are vintage, but these are cute! Bar Spoon

Applejack is a classically American spirit dating back to the colonial days. It was an extremely popular spirit thanks to plentiful apple orchards and the fact it didn’t require expensive and rare equipment like stills to make. Instead of distilling using a still, Applejack was made using the freeze distilling method. This also makes applejack a perfect winter spirit, as the cold winter temps were perfect for freeze distilling.

Mixing Glass /  Jigger

What is Applejack?

These days, Applejack is made using stills and distilling like many other high proof spirits. We chose to use a locally distilled apple brandy from Cedar Ridge Distillery in Iowa. Cedar Ridge uses fresh fermented apple cider to make their brandy, and then distilling it to punch up the proof.

Cedar Ridge then ages them in oak casks which imparts a rich spicy note to the spirit. It makes the apple brandy a nice warming spirit perfect for winter drinks.

For The Woodsman, we used the apple brandy as our base spirit, the sweet and spicy notes of the brandy bringing a nice boozy foundation for the drink. The apple brandy has hints of the oak it was aged in, bringing a richness to the drink.

Since this is a winter cocktail, we wanted something that would bring more of the spices that really work with winter flavors. Nothing says winter more than ginger, so we added in a little splash of ginger liqueur as well.

What other Flavors did we Use in the Brandy Cocktail?

The ginger liqueur brings more spice and warmth to the cocktail, but doesn’t bring any sweetness. Needing to bring it into balance, we added in another great winter flavor, maple syrup. The maple syrup adds a rich nutty sweetness to the drink while pulling out some of the hints of vanilla and apple sweetness of the apple brandy and the spice of the ginger liqueur. Maple and apple work really well together, and when the ginger is added in, a definite winter flavor appears.

What Ingredients are Needed for the Woodsman Cocktail?

• Ginger Liqueur
• Maple Syrup
• Applejack
• Angostura Bitters

To finish the brandy cocktail, we added in a few dashes of aromatic bitters. The aromatic bitters brings a nice mix of herbal and baking spices that really layers on some flavors to the drink. Once the bitters are added in, the Woodsman rounds itself into a nice manly drink, full of complex spices, strong boozy notes and plenty of bold flavors.

If You Are Looking for More Recipes with Liqueur, Try These!

• Banana Liqueur
• Lumiere
• Ginger Snap
• Allspice Dram
• Cargo Cult
• Salted Butterscotch Bourbon White Russian
• Cherry Amaretto Boozy Marshmallows
• Cherry Blossom
• Blood Orange Sidecar
• Pimm’s Cup

A garnish of a fresh orange peel adds a bright citrus perfume that opens up your sense of smell. Likewise it lets you inhale all the rich spicy scents of the bitters. You might just find yourself sipping this brandy cocktail by the fire with a good book if you aren’t careful!

If You Are Looking for More Ginger Cocktails, Try These!

• For Goodness Sake
• Ginger Cherry Smash
• Carrot Ginger Mimosa
• Caramel Apple Moscow Mule
• Bourbon Sweetheart
• Ginger Clementine Old Fashioned
• Holiday Ginger Flip
• Rosemary’s Pear

Cheers!

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Maple Old Fashioned

Maple and Cider Kentucky Mule

Other Applejack Cocktails

• Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktails – Garnish with Lemon
• Applejack and Ginger – Baked In

Other Maple Cocktails

• Ginger Maple Bourbon – Lemons for Lulu
• Maple Bourbon – Jelly Toast
• Maple Old Fashioned

Continue to Content

Yield: 1

The Woodsman - An Applejack and Maple Cocktail

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

A lovely fall cocktail with applejack and maple syrup, with a dash of ginger.

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Ingredients

Woodsman Cocktail

• 2 ounces applejack or apple brandy
• .50 ounce ginger liqueur
• .75 ounce maple syrup
• 4 dashes Angostura bitters
• orange twist for garnish

Instructions

Add all liquids into a mixing glass.

Add ice and stir to chill.

Strain into a coupe.

Garnish with orange twist.

Cheers!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer for Cocktails
• 
  Hiware LZS13B 12 Inches Stainless Steel Mixing Spoon, Spiral Pattern Bar Cocktail Shaker Spoon
• 
  Butternut Mountain Farm, 100% Pure Maple Syrup
• 
  Angostura Bitters Set
• 
  Hiware Mixing Glass
• 
  Luminarc Barcraft Coupe

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 321Total Fat: 17.3gSaturated Fat: 10.8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 307mgCarbohydrates: 20.4gFiber: 0gSugar: 18.5gProtein: 13.9g

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