Tag Archives: cocktails

Apple Spice Cocktail

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In the spirit of traditions, every Thanksgiving I make a new “signature” cocktail to kick off the meal. I don’t have an ounce of “mixology” in my body, so I take to Pinterest for inspiration. Last year I made Lauren Conrad’s Pilgram Punch (which was dangerously good). This year I made an apple spice recipe from Love and Lemons and it was delicious! I made a few tweaks based on ingredients I already had (waste not, want not) and let me tell you, it went down nice and easy. This is an easy drink to make for all of those upcoming holiday parties.

*Disclaimer – the “base” for this drink needs time to steep and chill, so be sure to make it the night before.

  • 18 ounces apple cider
  • 6 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 star anise pods
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 18 ounces Stoli Premium Vodka
  • 6 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon
  • crushed ice
  • 12 oz. bottle of sparkling water (optional)
  • 1 red apple, sliced for garnish (they are sooo good to eat after you’ve finished the drink)

In a small saucepan simmer the apple juice with the cinnamon sticks and star anise. When it barely comes to a boil, remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes, then chill for a couple of hours (or overnight).

When your’e ready to start making cocktails, remove the cinnamon sticks and star anise and set aside for garnish.In a cocktail shaker, shake the spiced apple juice, vodka, lemon, and ice together (work in batches if you need to).

Pour into glasses, add a splash of sparking water, and garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sticks and star anise pods.

apple spice cocktail

Happy Eating Drinking, XO.

Wine. ‘Nuff said.

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Pull yourself together, putting out cheese cubes is so blasé. And since cheese to wine is like peanut butter to jelly, you’ll need a grown up way to serve it with your finest goblet of vino. This recipe is an easy modern twist on a traditional brie en croute. Its fancy enough to serve for your next holiday cocktail party or simple enough to make, for the next time Jess and I open up a bottle of our favorite pinot noir.

Peeled & sliced green apple (granny smith, kids).
Pecans (roasted, toasted, candied, salted, whichever you have lying around).
Drizzle of honey
Brie
Crescent roll dough

Pile & Roll per photo below & bake at 375 degrees for 11-13 minutes.

Note the crunch of the nuts, with the tart apple, with the sweet honey, and creamy brie is the perfect palette pleaser to your wine night. Best part is it compliments red or white wine which as many of you food & wine snobs know is very rare to have something accentuate both!

Feel free to check out no cookin’ good lookin’ for the italian horn recipe, another yummy cocktail appetizer!
photo
Happy eating, XO.