For those living in the subtropics, the change of seasons is marked by a shift in flavors. With both cooler weather and Thanksgiving on the way, now is a great time to brew a batch of celebratory cocktails.
Spiced Mulled Wine (serves 5)
To start, try this classic recipe for sweet, spiced mulled wine, perfect for autumn parties.
- 1 bottle of dry, fruity red wine (merlot recommended)
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1/3 cup honey or sugar
- 2 star anises
- 8 whole cloves
- 8 allspice berries
- 8-10 pomegranate seeds, crushed
- 1 orange, zested, juiced, and sliced into rounds
- 5 additional orange slices for garnish
- 5 cinnamon sticks for garnish
Combine all ingredients (except garnishes) in a large pot or saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar or honey dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. To serve, pour through a fine-mesh sieve into five mugs and garnish each with a cinnamon stick and orange slice.
Spiked Apple
You don’t need to buy apples by the bushel to get that fix. Fill that cocktail shaker with this sip and welcome in fall.
- 1 oz. Ketel One Vodka
- ½ oz. Stirrings Apple Liqueur
- 1 oz. apple cider
- ½ oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake over ice. Pour contents into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
Continue to page 2 for more spiced autumn sips.
Cranberry Celebration
Cranberries take center stage in the recipe for Cranberry Celebration, a soon-to-be fall classic.
- 1 ½ oz. Ketel One Citroen
- 1 tbsp. cranberry reduction (recipe below)
- ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- Club soda
Combine first four ingredients in a mixing glass. Vigorously shake with ice and pour contents into a rocks glass (fine strain over new ice if you prefer no chunks). Top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with cranberries and a mint sprig.
Cranberry Reduction
To make a cranberry reduction, take a 12 oz. bag of cranberries, rinse and add 4 oz. of orange juice and 4 oz. of simple syrup. Bring it to a boil, and let simmer for 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally while it is simmering. Place the reduction into the freezer for 30 minutes to thicken.
Pumpkin King
Linus and the Peanuts gang have nothing on this pumpkin-inspired libation. Skip the pumpkin-spice latte and shake up a few of these this Thanksgiving.
- 1 oz. Ketel One Oranje
- ¼ oz. Godiva Caramel Liqueur
- ¼ oz. pumpkin liqueur
- 1 tsp. whipped cream
Combine first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake over ice. Strain into a martini glass; top with whipped cream and garnish with a dust of cinnamon powder.
Rum Babalu
Looking for a new twist on a seasonal sipper? In this cocktail from its fall menu, Tommy Bahama eschews the standard pumpkin spice and nutmeg for a dose of New England with a splash of maple syrup.
- 2 parts Kirk and Sweeney 12 Year Rum
- 3/4 parts fresh lime juice
- 1/2 part maple syrup
- 1 part ginger beer
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass except the ginger beer. Add ice and shake with a Boston shaker to blend and strain over fresh ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with an orange peel.
Facebook Comments