Making a spiced punch that contains hard cider, & applejack..?

Question

Hi,
I'm making a Spiced Hard Cider Punch for my guests for Thanksgiving, but I'm not sure what exactly hard cider is, & applejack? I've never heard of it. Plus, this is my first time cooking dinner for guests at my home this year. Any advice would be so great.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hard cider is alcoholic, apple jack is too. Sounds like a fun gathering! Happy Thanksgiving. Check out the info on both products in the links I've provided you with.

Answer 2

Actually John is incorrect. While they might have called the result "applejack" it's far from the actual applejack from colonial times. The term "jacking" meant to distill it by the freeze distillation method which meant freezing the cider. Then removing the frozen water portion and leaving the stronger alcohol behind. While this was the traditional method to make applejack, it's no longer used to make it and now they do the evaporation distillation method. Now, you can probably find some ways to do this online but check with your region to see what the laws are concerning this. If you can legally distill alcohol in small amounts then give it a try. If it's illegal then you run the risk of a fine or even a jail term.

Answer 3

Hard cider is great!!! It's my beverage of choice. Fizzy and refreshing like beer, fruity and dry or off-dry like wine. Some of it packs a fair punch too (4.9% to 6.9% alcohol).

My favorite hard cider brand is K (yeah, just the letter, a big red K on a black label). It is an English import. Woodchuck is excellent (made in Vermont by Green Mountain Cidery). Woodpecker however, is vile - what the fourteen year olds drink in Wales. Hornsby is OK (made by Gallo). Cider Jack is very good. Hard Core is excellent, made by the Boston Brewery (Sam Adams beer). Spanish Peaks cider is pretty good (from the Black Dog Ale people).