&  Contentment …

STORY BY: JENNIFER BARNETT

PHOTOS BY: KRIS BEASLEY

It’s the time of year when I like to have the taste of my drinks reflect the mood of the season. It was so easy when I lived in the north to add Baileys to my coffee or peppermint Schnapps to my hot chocolate but when you are in the south where the fall temps can easily still be in the 80’s, you need to be a little more creative. I found some yummy cocktails that give the illusion of autumn. They will help you gear up for the season and take your mind off your growing shopping list and Great Aunt Petunia critiquing your every move in the kitchen!  And because I know how my southern girlfriends like to spend this time of year; I have picked out one warm drink so you can turn down your AC and put on your favorite sweater, light your fireplace and pretend to watch the leaves change color.  Enjoy these little sips of comfort and relax while you still have the time….

Cranberry & Cinnamon Whiskey Sour  

2 cups fresh cranberries

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

2 cinnamon sticks

3/4 cup bourbon or whiskey

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup lime juice

Ice cubes & cocktail shaker for mixing

SIMPLE SYRUP:

In a medium-sized pot add cranberries, water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Heat over a medium flame, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst open and can easily be stirred into the syrup, resulting in a smooth consistency. This will take about 10 minutes. Once done, remove syrup from heat. Fit a large bowl with a fine mesh strainer and strain the simple syrup, leaving all of the large chunks and skin behind. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before using.

Instructions: 

When ready to make your cocktails, add 3/4 cup simple syrup, whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, lime juice, and a large handful of ice to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Divide into 4 glasses and serve at once.

Vanilla, Pear, and Vodka Cocktail  

• 12 oz (1.5 cups) pear juice
• 6 oz vodka
• 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
• vanilla sugar, for rim
• 1 cup ice, plus more to serve over

Instructions: 

Mix pear juice and vodka in a pitcher or shaker. Split open the vanilla bean, and scrape the seeds into the juice and vodka. Add 1 cup ice, then give it a good shake. Pour into cocktail glasses over more ice and serve with sugared rim. Makes 4 drinks.

Pumpkin Pie in a Glass

• 2 parts Kahlúa Pumpkin Spice
• 1 part hazelnut liqueur
• 5 parts heavy cream
• 1 part pumpkin puree
• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Instructions: 

Combine all ingredients in a martini shaker filled with ice. Shake to combine, and then pour into glass. Serves one.

HOT APPLE PIE  

10 ounces apple cider

1 ounce tuaca liqueur

whipped cream

cinnamon

Instructions:

Heat up apple cider in mug in microwave or on stove top in saucepan.

Add Tuaca and stir.

Top with whipped cream and cinnamon.