The cocktail thread (I blame the Rona) - post yours !

And don’t be like our son:

A few months after he turned 21, he and DH and I were having dinner at a lovely restaurant on the Hudson that we eventually chose for his graduation dinner. The ambience and food were outstanding, and we were having the very best time. We started off with a round of gin and tonics and a sample of appetizers (we were testing the menu). Three amazing hours later, DH looks at the bill:

“Holy smokes, son! Did you have FIVE gin and tonics?”

“I guess so. There were very good, so I just nodded every time the waiter asked if I wanted a refill.”

Refill? He may have been new to legal drinking, but we have no idea how he got that far in life thinking that cocktails were like soda. Perhaps that second one impaired his thinking. DH showed him how 5 x $12 had affected the bill–you know, just a little post-dinner math.

Now, every time we go out, DH or I will say, “Watch those refills, son!”
This is hilarious. Those odd gaps in education or awareness that catch up with us long after we should have known about them.
 
I made hot toddies this past weekend after drill. Really hit the spot after a few cold days of laying in the mud!

I added a cinammon stick and slice of lemon, it was a good drink and relatively easy to make!
 
We spent time at our neighbor’s fire pit recently on a lovely clear, crisp fall evening. We collaborated on these. Had a big plate of various cheeses and good crackers. We pronounced these excellent. Tested extensively.

I used Williams-Sonoma Mulling Spice as a shortcut. I also have a mulling ball (works same as a loose tea strainer ball) which I fill with spices and suspend in whatever I am mulling. You can also use cheesecloth tied up. Or just use the strainer as written. I put a gallon of the cider in a slow cooker and suspended the mulling ball for an hour.

Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider Recipe​

A soothing and comforting spiked apple cider made with Bourbon. Can be served warm or cold over ice.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
  • 4 1/2 cups apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1 whole cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 whole star anise
  • 8 ounces Bourbon
  • 4 slices navel orange, for garnish
  • Optional sugar, to rim the glass

Instructions​

To Make the Hot Cider:​

  • Place the apple cider, cinnamon stick, orange juice, cloves and star anise in a small pot and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain into a pitcher.

To Make the Cocktail:​

  • If you plan to rim the glass with sugar do that now. See notes for details.
  • In the glass, add 2 oz bourbon and 1 cup of the cider mix.
  • Garnish with an orange slice and stick of cinnamon and serve warm.

Notes​

How to Rim the Glass with Sugar- Place approximately ¼ cup sugar on a flat plate. Take an extra slice of the orange and rub the rim of the glass used for serving. One slice will work for all four glasses. Discard the slice. Then flip the glass upside down and place onto the plate with the sugar. Rotate ¼ turn back and forth. The sugar will adhere to the glass because of the moisture from the orange.

Then add the drink into the glass.

*Alternatively you can serve it cold. Allow the mixture to cool, strain, and then serve over ice.

*For a virgin version just omit the alcohol.
 
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/165814/apple-pie-in-a-jar-drink/

Mott's apple juice seems to taste the best.
Mott's has enough sugar on its own, don't add more.
Delicious served warm!


You can nearly double the alcohol with no real change in taste, but I typically only do this if it will be used for celebratory shots only as it gets rather strong.
“Rather strong.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I can’t imagine adding extra sugar.
The final line in the recipe should say “Set out a basket for car keys.”

P.S. I liked the final line in the recipe about it will keep in the reefer 6 months. Well, yeah, I think Everclear can handle that pickling job.
 
I miss my Everclear and OJ after reading through this thread.
 
Pretty tame New Year's Eve at the THParent Estate™.
We each had a shot of tequila at Midnight and went to bed.:)
 
Better than the NyQuil shots we did! Yep…both sick. Whoppeeeee 🙌
 
After that Michigan loss, 2022 wrapped up as the worst year we’ve ever had. Our son is deployed to Qatar for five months making this the third year he hasn’t been home for any of the holidays, my dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is in chemo, and my mother broke her patella two days after Thanksgiving and has been living with us wheelchair/walker-bound ever since. We didn’t celebrate Christmas or New Years this year.

Good riddance 2022. <goes to find the Angel’s Envy…>
 
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After that Michigan loss, 2022 wrapped up as the worst year we’ve ever had. Our son is deployed to Qatar for five months making this the third year he hasn’t been home for any of the holidays, my dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is in chemo, and my mother broke her patella two days after Thanksgiving and has been living with us wheelchair/walker-bound ever since. We didn’t celebrate Christmas or New Years this year.

Good riddance 2022. <goes to find the Angel’s Envy…>
Dang, that’s a load. So sorry to hear!! I hope for you, that 2023 is full of joy, and family ♥️
 
After that Michigan loss, 2022 wrapped up as the worst year we’ve ever had. Our son is deployed to Qatar for five months making this the third year he hasn’t been home for any of the holidays, my dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is in chemo, and my mother broke her patella two days after Thanksgiving and has been living with us wheelchair/walker-bound ever since. We didn’t celebrate Christmas or New Years this year.

Good riddance 2022. <goes to find the Angel’s Envy…>
YIKES! Definitely hope 2023 is a better year for you!
 
@VelveteenR have you tried Angel's Envy Finished Rye (finished in Caribbean rum casks)?
It is absolutely delightful. :)
 
I don't know how I feel about this, but thought I would share for those of you who like foo-foo drinks.
I am not judging! It is apparently for St. Patrick's Day.

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As a martini purist (gin, never vodka), the "Clover" is a foo-foo cocktail dessert drink, not a martini. However, I'll be happy to try one. Maybe two.
 
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