Bottom's Up: Spiked Cran-Apple Cider

You need to make this cider this weekend. Seriously, this hot cocktail is perfect for the cooler weather. I have been inspired by the cranberries I bought last week, and even more so after reading this post that says they stay good in the fridge for weeks!

I went on a hot apple cider binge after Danny and I sampled some at Whole Foods a few weeks ago. The purpose of the sample was actually to sell the mulling spices. You better bet we snatched them right up, along with some apple juice, and made cider after cider for a week straight.

Bright idea! Let's spike it.

Spiked Cran-Apple Cider

Ingredients:

• 4 cups apple juice
• 1 cup cranberry juice (not cocktail)
• 2 shots bourbon whiskey
• 2 shots amaretto
• 2 packets mulling spices
• cranberries for garnish (optional)
• cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Bring juices to a boil in a small pot or teapot. Once boiling, remove from heat and immediately add whiskey, amaretto, and 2 bags of mulling spices. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove mulling spice bags and pour into mugs. Add cranberries and/or cinnamon sticks for garnish and enjoy! Serves 2.

Tip: You can always heat the juice in the microwave if you don't feel like dirtying a pot :)

blurry Claire gathering leaves for my photo

Bottom's Up: Berry Nutty on the Rocks

I have a confession. I'm pretty sure I forgot that cranberries don't always look like this.

source

I am embarrassed to admit this, but I don't think I have ever even eaten a plain cranberry - not dried, juiced, etc. Today I saw some in the store packaged up, ready to be taken home and added to some sort of holiday recipe. They looked beautiful! I couldn't resist grabbing a pack and brainstorming.

After some research I realized that I probably won't be eating them raw. They are apparently extremely tart and bitter and that takes all the fun out of it. Oh well, they will make a lovely garnish!

I love the thought of keeping the seasonality (= season + personality of course) of the cranberry. Something about them just screams Thanksgiving and Christmas. Something about whiskey screams holidays too! Cranberry, meet Whiskey.

We decided to try this fall cocktail from SheKnows:

Berry Nutty on the Rocks

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1 shot whiskey
• 1 shot amaretto liqueur
• 2 splashes of cranberry juice
• 3 to 4 fresh cranberries

Directions:

1. Fill a double old-fashioned glass halfway with ice. Pour whiskey, amaretto, and cranberry juice over ice. Gently stir and garnish with a few cranberries.

Cheers!