Entertain in seasonal style
By Sophie Isbister, Life & Style Editor
Usually when it comes time for autumn and winter I push hot and hearty, booze-filled drinks, like coffee and Baileys, or my signature “killer mulled wine.” However, lately I’ve been really into cider cocktails. These drinks will take your typical cider to a whole new level, combining the crisp apple notes of the cider with the strong, full taste of liquor. Not to mention they make a good ice-breaker for parties—nothing is more fun than introducing someone to a drink they’ve never even heard of. Here’s what I’ll be serving up at all my holiday functions.
The Apple Pie
To make this tasty drink (which tastes exactly like its name), you’ll need a few cans of dry cider (I like Strongbow or the local, Okanagan-made Lonetree Cider) and some Fireball cinnamon-spiced whisky. Simply pour the cider over ice, top with a shot (or two!) of Fireball, and then add your garnish. For garnish, because the Fireball makes the drink quite sweet, I like to keep it simple with just a dusting of cinnamon or a thin slice of Granny Smith apple. So simple! So yum!
Cranberry Mulled Cider
Okay, okay, I know I said these weren’t going to be your typical drinks. But combining the cider with cranberry juice is a great refreshing twist on a holiday classic. Plus, it’s big-batch, easy as heck, and keeps the party flowing.
Simply combine, in a large pot on the stove, three parts hard apple cider (get the two-litre bottle) to two parts pure cranberry juice, a packet of mulling spice (readily available at most grocery stores this time of year), and a half a cup of sugar (or to taste). For optional garnish and colour, add some sliced apples, fresh cranberries, or sliced oranges. Heat over low heat for a few hours, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Don’t let it boil!
The Pom Pomme
This drink is not only adorable and delicious, its name is super fun to say! It’s the most complicated and classic of all, and thus, you will need a few ingredients as well as a cocktail shaker.
To make (two at a time) you will need: two ounces pomegranate juice, two ounces ginger liqueur (like Giffard’s Ginger of the Indies, available at BC Liquor Stores), one ounce apple liqueur, and a super-dry apple cider. To make, fill your cocktail shaker with ice and add the pomegranate juice and the liqueurs. Shake it up, the pour into two martini glasses, and top each glass with a few ounces of your ice cold apple cider.
Serve them up, and remember to enjoy responsibly!
