Alcohol evaporates at a lower temperature than water. As opposed to freeze distillation, steam distillation is done by heating apple cider.

Steam distillation: Many modern distilleries use stills and the process of steam distillation to produce Applejacks. All you need is access to a large freezer. Due to our modern technological advancements in freezing, you can produce Applejacks all year round without a still. The more ice they took out, the higher the alcohol content. The colder the apple cider got, the more it would freeze. Every morning they would go out and wipe off all the ice that had accumulated. During the colonial period producers would leave Apple cider out in the cold. Historically Applejacks could only be made during the winter (for obvious reasons). The word “jack” derives from the process of freeze distillation, which has historically been called “jacking.” Applejack was/is commonly distilled from apple cider.įreeze distillation: As you probably well know, alcohol freezes at a lower temperature than water. Applejack gets its name from the process and ingredients that are used in its production.

As with whiskey, Applejack was used as currency during America’s colonial period. George Washing who owned one of the largest distilleries in America made Applejack. In my opinion, Applejack is one of the most under rated spirits in the world, which is sad since it has had such a long and storied history. Applejack is a liquor that is freeze distilled, as opposed to steam distillation.

Homemade applejack moonshine