The Jersey Lighthouse
So, I’ve been reading and hearing about the El Nino and how it’s coming to Southern California. Well, it’s the second week of December and we still have yet to see a drop of rain. The rest of the country is having horrible rain storms and tornados, but here in Los Angeles, we’re still living with 80 degree temperatures. I know, I know. I shouldn’t be complaining. But damnit, I want some cold weather. I want to put on my boots and my heavy jacket and maybe even some mittens. I want to sip hot spiced cider by the fire and cook stews.
Well, I’m not doing any of those things. Instead I’m wearing capris and sandals and making chicken cutlets. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I am making some more filling comfort foods like short ribs and pork loin (those recipes will be appearing later). So, I decided to hell with the warm weather, I wanted a hot cocktail. I mean, it’s December. It’s time to sip hot chocolate or mulled wine. Luckily Charles H. Baker came to my rescue once again.
Tucked away nicely in Baker’s Gentleman’s Companion under the header “Hot Helpers” was a wonderfully cozy cocktail that uses, you guessed it, Applejack. Now I know I’ve been addicted to Applejack lately, but it’s just soooooo good. It also happens to be perfect for the season where every party and family dinner seems to have something apple based. Yes, Applejack is made from fermented apple cider. But unlike the past cocktails you’ve seen here recently, this one as I said, is hot. It also only contains one liquor. That’s right, the Applejack. So, yes, this cocktail packs a serious punch. But it’s a punch worth taking, trust me.
The reason this cocktail is called the Jersey Lighthouse is because when Applejack was first created in the 1700’s it was made in New Jersey and it was so strong this liquor often went by the nickname Jersey Lightning. Baker first tasted the Lighthouse while “sitting in the back room of a small New Jersey inn one horrid winter night” with a few friends including famed author, William Faulkner. So, while I don’t know who created the cocktail or when, the fact that it’s in Baker’s 1939 cocktail manual makes it a classic. And this hot classic is definitely worth a sip. Even if it is 80 degrees and sunny.
Jersey Lighthouse
Ingredients:
- 2 sugar cubes
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- 3 – 4 whole cloves
- a spiral of lemon peel
- 3 oz. + 1 tablespoon Applejack, divided
- 4 oz. boiling water
Directions:
- Place the sugar cubes in a tall mug. Add the bitters and muddle. Add the cloves and lemon peel.
- Pour in 3 ounces of Applejack. Add boiling water, float the remaining Applejack on top and serve.
