Best Spirits for a Holiday Party: Why Applejack Belongs on Your Bar

The holidays are all about gathering, celebrating, and raising a glass with friends and family. What turns a good party into a great one is not only the food and music, but the bar you set up for your guests. The right mix of familiar favorites and one or two surprising bottles can spark conversation, keep the energy up, and give everyone a drink that feels made for the season.

This is where Applejack comes in. Laird’s Applejack is a classic American spirit with baked apple, spice, and oak notes that feel tailor made for winter. In this guide, we will walk through the best spirits for a holiday party, how to shape a crowd friendly cocktail menu, and why Applejack should be the quiet star of your bar.

Here's what makes a holiday bar truly memorable

A holiday bar is not just a row of random bottles on a counter. It is a small, curated experience that helps your guests relax, feel taken care of, and lean into the season.

A memorable holiday bar usually hits three marks:

1. Familiar favorites for comfort People like seeing a solid bourbon, a dependable vodka, and maybe a gin they recognize. These “anchors” make guests feel at ease, since they know they can order something simple and safe.

2. Seasonal flavors that feel like the holidays Apple, spice, vanilla, citrus, and a bit of richness all signal “holiday” in a glass. Spirits and mixers that lean into those flavors make even a basic highball feel festive. Think apple and cinnamon, orange and clove, ginger and baking spice.

3. One signature spirit to tie it all together A single bottle that gives your party a unique identity does more than any complicated bar setup. When guests ask, “What should I try?” you can point them to your signature pour or cocktail. Applejack fills that role beautifully, since most people have heard of it, but many have never tried it, especially in a modern holiday drink.

With this foundation, you are not just pouring drinks. You are creating a small ritual that your guests will remember, and Applejack is the perfect bridge between tradition and something new.

Why does Applejack stand out for festive gatherings?

Applejack is one of America’s original spirits. Laird & Company has been producing Applejack and apple brandy since the late 1700s, building a legacy that predates many of the whiskies people reach for today. That history alone makes Applejack feel right at home in a holiday setting that already leans on tradition.

Beyond the story, the liquid itself is ideal for winter and holiday parties:

• Flavor that feels like the season Laird’s Applejack brings notes of baked apple, gentle spice, caramel, and oak. Those flavors echo the desserts on the table, the pies in the oven, and the cozy aromas in the kitchen. It tastes like a holiday without being sugary or heavy.

• Versatility behind the bar Applejack behaves a bit like a cross between bourbon and apple brandy. It has enough structure to replace whiskey in Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, or sours, but it also shines in long drinks with ginger beer, cider, or sparkling wine. One bottle can cover a surprising amount of your menu.

• Approachable for a wide range of guests Applejack is bold enough for whiskey fans and smooth enough for people who usually prefer lighter spirits. The fruit driven profile makes it less intimidating for guests who do not drink a lot of dark spirits.

• Great on its own or in cocktails You can pour Applejack neat, over a cube, or build a simple Applejack Old Fashioned with just a little syrup and bitters. You can also lean more playful and mix it with cranberry, cinnamon, or cider for punch bowls and batched cocktails.

In a season filled with nostalgic flavors and family stories, Applejack feels completely at home. It is classic, American, and instantly seasonal, which is exactly what you want in a holiday party spirit.

What other spirits should you consider for your party?

A strong holiday bar offers options without becoming overwhelming. Think in categories, then decide where Applejack will sit as your signature.

Here are the core spirits that cover most tastes:

• Vodka The neutral, mix with anything option. Great for guests who like simple highballs, vodka sodas, or light, citrusy drinks.

• Whiskey or bourbon Warm, rich, and familiar. Perfect for Old Fashioneds, whiskey sours, or neat pours by the fire.

• Gin For guests who love botanical flavors. Ideal for gin and tonics or martini style drinks before or after dinner.

• Tequila (blanco or reposado) Very popular, especially with younger guests. Works well in margaritas, Palomas, or simple tequila sodas.

• Rum (light or aged, plus spiced if you like) Useful for tropical twists, simple rum and cola, or dessert leaning drinks.

Then comes Applejack, which you can treat as your “featured spirit” for holiday specific cocktails and seasonal serves.

Quick comparison: core spirits vs Applejack

Spirit category	Flavor profile	Best holiday uses	How Applejack complements it
Vodka	Neutral, clean	Easy highballs, light mixed drinks	Applejack adds flavor where vodka is neutral
Whiskey / bourbon	Vanilla, caramel, oak, spice	Old Fashioneds, sours, neat pours	Applejack offers similar warmth with apple notes
Gin	Botanical, juniper, citrus	Gin and tonics, martinis, spritzes	Applejack covers guests who dislike juniper
Tequila	Agave, pepper, citrus	Margaritas, Palomas, tequila sodas	Applejack fills the “cozy” lane tequila does not
Rum	Molasses, caramel, tropical fruit	Punches, eggnog, rum and cola	Applejack gives a drier, apple focused alternative
Applejack	Baked apple, caramel, gentle spice, oak	Signature holiday cocktails, punches, warm drinks, neat	Seasonal centerpiece that ties the menu together

When guests approach your bar, they should see both what they expect and something they are curious about. Applejack is that bottle.

Here's how to build a crowd-pleasing holiday cocktail menu

Once you have your spirits set, the next step is planning what you will actually serve. A smart holiday cocktail menu does three things:

1. Offers 1 or 2 signature cocktails that feature Applejack.

2. Includes 1 batched or punch style drink so you are not shaking every drink to order.

3. Leaves room for simple classics like gin and tonics or whiskey and ginger for guests who prefer minimal fuss.

Below are three Applejack forward recipes you can feature, plus ideas for batching.

Applejack Old Fashioned

A cozy, spirit forward holiday riff on the classic.

Ingredients (per drink):

• 2 oz Laird’s Straight Applejack 86

• 0.25 oz rich simple syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water) or a barspoon of brown sugar

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• Orange peel and optional brandied cherry for garnish

Method:

1. Add Applejack, syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until chilled and slightly diluted.

3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.

4. Express an orange peel over the glass, then garnish with the peel and a cherry if you like.

Holiday Apple Punch (perfect for batching)

Bright, festive, and easy to ladle from a bowl or dispense from a drink dispenser.

Batch for 8 to 10 servings:

• 2 cups Laird’s Blended Applejack

• 2 cups apple cider

• 1 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweet)

• 0.5 cup fresh lemon juice

• 0.5 cup simple syrup or maple syrup, to taste

• 2 cups ginger ale or ginger beer, added just before serving

• Apple slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Method:

1. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine Applejack, cider, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and syrup.

2. Chill for at least 2 hours.

3. Right before guests arrive, add ginger ale or ginger beer.

4. Add ice block or large cubes to the bowl and garnish with apple slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks.

Applejack Sour

A fresh, citrusy option that still tastes like the holidays.

Ingredients (per drink):

• 2 oz Laird’s Blended Applejack or Straight Applejack 86

• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice

• 0.5 oz simple syrup

• Optional: 0.25 oz orange liqueur

• Optional: 1 egg white for a silky texture

• Lemon wheel or dehydrated citrus for garnish

Method:

1. If using egg white, dry shake all ingredients first (without ice) for 10 seconds.

2. Add ice and shake again until chilled and frothy.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass over fresh ice.

4. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Easy ready to drink options

To give yourself a break behind the bar, you can also stock Laird’s ready to drink options:

• Laird’s Old Fashioned RTD for instant classic style cocktails.

• Laird’s American Mule for guests who love ginger and citrus flavors.

Pour these over ice in a rocks or mule mug, garnish with citrus, and you have a professional looking drink with almost no effort.

Let's talk about Laird’s Applejack: Tasting notes and perfect pairings

Now that we have covered the broader strategy, let’s zoom in on specific Laird’s bottles that shine at holiday parties. You can mix and match these depending on how “serious” or playful you want your bar to feel.

Laird’s Blended Applejack

A classic and versatile choice that works in almost any cocktail.

• Tasting notes: Smooth, approachable apple flavor with soft caramel and gentle oak in the background.

• Best uses:

  • Highballs with ginger ale or club soda

  • Applejack Sours and Holiday Apple Punch

  • Guests who are new to Applejack and prefer lighter drinks

• Food pairings: Cheese boards, charcuterie, roast turkey, stuffing, and savory appetizers.

Link this bottle to a “Buy Now” or “Find a Bottle” button so party planners can grab it as their main mixer.

Laird’s Straight Applejack 86

A step up in proof and intensity for guests who love whiskey.

• Tasting notes: Bolder baked apple notes, caramel, toasted wood, and a warm finish. Made from 17 pounds of apples per bottle.

• Best uses:

  • Applejack Old Fashioneds

  • Stirred, spirit forward cocktails that usually call for bourbon

  • Neat pours for whiskey drinkers who want to try something new

• Food pairings: Glazed ham, roast beef, smoked meats, and dark chocolate desserts.

This is an ideal “signature cocktail” bottle for your menu.

Laird’s 7 ½ Year Old Apple Brandy

A refined option that doubles as a sipping spirit and a luxurious cocktail base.

• Tasting notes: Rich baked apple, cedar, pear, and oak from extended time in charred barrels. Smooth and complex without being heavy.

• Best uses:

  • Neat pours and slow sippers at the end of the night

  • Premium twists on classic cocktails for smaller, more intimate gatherings

• Food pairings: Apple pie, pecan pie, sharp cheddar, blue cheese, and walnut based desserts.

On your site, you can spotlight each bottle with product photography, a short paragraph like the ones above, and a clear call to “Find a Bottle” or “Shop Laird’s Applejack.”

What should you stock up on for a stress-free celebration?

Even the best cocktail menu falls apart if you run out of ice, citrus, or your star spirit halfway through the night. A simple inventory plan keeps you out of the kitchen and with your guests.

How much to buy

As a rough guide, for a 3 to 4 hour party:

• Plan on 2 to 3 drinks per guest.

• One 750 ml bottle of spirits gives you about 16 to 17 standard drinks.

Here is a simple estimate:

• 10 guests

  • 1 bottle Laird’s Blended Applejack

  • 1 bottle Laird’s Straight Applejack 86

  • 2 to 3 additional bottles of other spirits (vodka, whiskey, gin or tequila)

  • 2 bottles of wine and 1 bottle of sparkling wine

• 20 guests

  • 2 bottles Laird’s Blended Applejack

  • 1 bottle Laird’s Straight Applejack 86

  • 4 to 5 additional bottles of other spirits

  • 4 bottles of wine and 2 bottles of sparkling wine

• 30 guests

  • 3 bottles Laird’s Blended Applejack

  • 2 bottles Laird’s Straight Applejack 86

  • 6 to 7 additional bottles of other spirits

  • 6 bottles of wine and 3 bottles of sparkling wine

Adjust based on your crowd. If your menu leans heavily on Applejack cocktails, increase those bottles and decrease others.

Mixers and garnishes checklist

Here is a core shopping list you can also offer as a downloadable PDF checklist on your site:

Mixers

• Club soda and tonic water

• Ginger ale and ginger beer

• Apple cider

• Cranberry juice

• Orange juice

• Simple syrup or ingredients to make it (sugar and water)

Citrus and garnishes

• Fresh lemons and limes

• Oranges (for wheels and peels)

• Fresh apples (for slices in punch and garnishes)

• Cinnamon sticks and whole cloves

• Fresh cranberries (for punch and garnish)

• Cocktail cherries

Other essentials

• Plenty of ice (aim for at least 1 to 1.5 pounds per guest)

• A large bowl or dispenser for punch

• A jigger or measuring tool

• A mixing glass and bar spoon or a simple mixing pitcher

• Napkins and glassware appropriate to your drinks

Having this list downloadable as a branded “Holiday Bar Checklist” keeps your party planners engaged with Laird’s even before they get to the store.

Here's how to make your party unforgettable with Laird’s

At the end of the day, the best spirits for a holiday party are the ones that bring people together, feel seasonal, and are easy to work with. Applejack checks every one of those boxes. It offers cozy apple and spice flavors that fit right in with holiday food, it can stand shoulder to shoulder with bourbon and rum, and it gives you a signature spirit that guests will remember.

To put this into action:

• Choose Laird’s Blended Applejack and Straight Applejack 86 as your core Applejack bottles.

• Build a simple menu with one or two Applejack signatures, one punch, and a few classic backups.

• Stock the mixers and garnishes that highlight apple, spice, and citrus.

From there, you can point guests toward your Applejack Old Fashioned, ladle them a cup of Holiday Apple Punch, or pour them a neat nightcap of aged apple brandy as the evening winds down.

On your site, close the loop with clear calls to action: link to Laird’s Applejack product pages, feature holiday cocktail recipes, and invite readers to share their favorite party photos or toasts with a hashtag such as #LairdsHolidayCheers.

With a little planning and a few well chosen bottles, Laird’s Applejack can turn your holiday bar into the part of the party everyone remembers.