Cocktail Friday: The Pumpkin Patch

Of all the holidays, I think Halloween is the one I get the least involved in. I can't watch truly scary movies, I am not great at coming up with creative costumes, and (gasp!) I'm not much of a candy eater. While I may not be on board with all of these things, I am on board with seeing my little boy dressed up in his cute dragon costume, carving pumpkins, and enjoying festive cocktails that reflect the festivity of the season.

Pumpkin Patch Cocktail Ingredients | Set the Table

I stumbled on this cocktail recipe while browsing through Pinterest (are you following me yet?) and I knew it would be delicious. Plus, it uses egg whites which I've been dying to use more in my cocktail recipes. Rather than using the silver tequila as called for in the original recipe, I opted for bourbon. I'm sort of on a bourbon-kick lately and it worked beautifully here.

The Pumpkin Patch {a Halloween Cocktail} | Set the Table

Halloween Cocktail Recipe | Set the Table

This is not really an ideal party drink, but it is ideal for quiet evenings that call for something special to toast with. The frothy top is perfect for supporting a healthy sprinkling of pumpkin spice and balances perfectly with the sweet and sour cocktail below. I might be able to make it through a super scary movie with this in my hand...

Pumpkin Patch Cocktail | Set the Table

The Pumpkin Patch

Yield: Makes 1 cocktail
This recipe is adapted from The Daily Meal.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 1 egg white from a medium-sized egg
• 1 3/4 oz apple cider
• 1 1/2 oz bourbon

Instructions

1. Combine the brown sugar, honey, lime juice and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake vigorously until the honey and sugar have dissolved and the egg white is frothy.
3. Add the cider and bourbon and stir gently until just combined.
4. Pour the cocktail into a chilled snifter or other cocktail glass.

Cocktail Friday: Bourbon Apple Cider

Brad and I took our first adults-only vacation together since Riley was born. We had 4 days in Crested Butte, a mountain town in Colorado, filled with getting to know what it is like to have a complete, uninterrupted conversation with each other. We slept in, read, sat at the bar at a restaurant; basically, we did all the things we can't do as parents. By the end of our trip, we were really anxious to get home to our little boy, but it was more than worth it to reconnect.

One night, we went to this wonderful pizza place in Crested Butte. We sat at the bar and watched the end of the Broncos game while sipping on cocktails and enjoying an appetizer. Next, we ordered a pizza which I am still swooning over. There was no rush; we ordered when we felt ready. When they brought the pizza to us, I knew almost before I took the first bite that it would be delicious. This simple pie had a chewy lemon-pepper crust topped with mozzarella, arugula, and shaved Parmesan. Amazing. When I get a good recipe for the lemon-pepper crust you can rest assured it will be here on the blog!

So, what does all of this have to do with this cocktail? Well, this is my interpretation of what we sipped on at the bar. The combination of apple cider mixed with bourbon, garnished with a cinnamon-sugar rimmed glass, a fresh orange wedge and a rosemary sprig is the perfect way to celebrate classic fall flavors. Come to think of it, it's the perfect cocktail for the beginning phases of (gasp!) winter. I was elated when it started snowing and we could curl up in front of the fireplace with nothing to do and nowhere to go.

More apple-y/cider-y recipes:

• Healthy Baked Apples

• Grandma Della's Fried Apples

• Apple Cheddar Scones

• Apple Crisp with Maple Syrup & Pomegranate

• Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

Yield: 1

Author: Rachael

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Bourbon Apple Cider

Prep time: 5 MinTotal time: 5 Min

Ingredients

Bourbon Apple Cider

• 4 oz apple cider
• 2 oz bourbon
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• orange wedge
• rosemary sprig

Instructions

to make this cocktail:

1. Begin by combining the cinnamon and sugar together on a plate.
2. Run the orange wedge around the edge of your cocktail glass. Set the rim of the glass in the cinnamon and sugar then fill the glass with ice.
3. In a shaker filled with ice, combine the cider and bourbon and stir to combine. Strain into your ice filled glass.
4. Garnish with the orange slice and rosemary sprig.

Notes

If you'd like to make this for a crowd, simply stick to 2 parts cider, 1 part bourbon. You can mix the cocktail together ahead of time by combining the bourbon and cider in a pitcher and covering for a day or two until ready to serve.

Did you make this recipe?

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Cocktail Friday: Old Pal

We have lived in our house for almost exactly a year. The first night we tried moving in was a nightmare. We had just gotten Riley into bed in his new nursery and started getting our things organized and unpacked. I was walking down our hall on our new bamboo floors when they suddenly went from hard wood to squishy wood. I stopped, looked down at my feet, and saw that the wood had curled up at the edges. After some investigating, we found that the washing machine had been leaking for about a week. All the water collected under the wood floor and it was pretty well destroyed. After months of waiting for the house to be finished, we packed out things and moved back to my in-laws house for another week until things were back in order.

Cocktail Time with an Old Pal :: Set the Table

I definitely needed a cocktail after that.

Old Pal :: Set the Table

When we were able to finally move in, it took some time to feel settled. Actually, we are still working on that. There are still boxes in the garage that need to be unpacked. We haven’t mastered our organizational skills (do those even exist with a toddler in the house?) and we are still discovering new things to do in our neighborhood.

We may not be “Old Pals” with our house yet, but we are getting there. Enjoying perfectly crafted cocktails with friends on the patio certainly helps move the process along. The recipe for this Old Pal cocktail comes from one of my favorite books: The Art of the Bar. No matter what the occasion, I can always find a perfect cocktail recipe that I know will taste fantastic.

Old Pal Cocktail :: Set the Table

Here, bitter red Campari is combined with whiskey (the recipe calls for Canadian but I used a Kentucky bourbon), dry vermouth, and a twist of orange. It is beautifully balanced and perfectly elegant. If you aren’t used to the flavor of Campari this is a great way to introduce it into your repertoire.

Cheers to new homes, old pals, and Friday. [amd-zlrecipe-recipe:21]

Cocktail Friday: Spiced Apple + Cranberry Martini

Fall officially arrived yesterday. Apparently winter will be here this weekend, at least briefly, so Riley and I enjoyed the afternoon by playing in the sandbox. It was lovely feeling the slight chill in the air and watching my almost 2 year old examine bugs, worms and the difference between wet and dry sand. Sometimes I have to remind myself how great precious these moments are and before I know it he'll be less interested in spending time with me and tossing sand out of the sandbox.

Spiced Apple & Cranberry Cocktail :: Set the Table

This weekend, I'm hoping we can enjoy at least a few minutes outside, perhaps hanging out at an apple orchard or enjoying lunch at the park. If we're really lucky, Brad and I will get a movie night where we can sit down with one of these tasty spiced apple and cranberry martinis, a big bowl of popcorn, and a warm blanket. Sounds perfect to me.

Spiced Apple & Cranberry Martini :: Set the Table

I love the color of this cocktail alongside the delicate green apple garnish. It's festive and fun for the upcoming holidays but simple enough to make any time you want to enjoy the flavors of fall. A simple spiced apple simple syrup made with rich apple cider and mulling spices makes this so much more sophisticated than an appletini.

What are your plans for enjoying this October weekend? I'm always looking for new ideas to help us enjoy the season even more!

Spiced Apple + Cranberry Martini 

Ingredients

• 2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz cointreau
• 1/2 oz spiced apple syrup (recipe follows)
• fresh lime juice

Instructions

1. Place all the ingredients (except the lime juice) in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until thoroughly chilled, 20-30 seconds. Pour into a cocktail glass and serve with a squeeze of lime juice and a slice of green apple on the rim.

Spiced apple syrup

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon mulling spices

Instructions

1. Combine the cider and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Put the mulling spices in a sachet (use cheese cloth and tie with cooking twine). You can also put the spices in the cider mixture loose and then strain them out when it is done cooking.
3. Bring the cider mixture to a low simmer and cook about 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the liquid begins to thicken just slightly.
4. Remove from the heat and let steep with the spices for another 5-10 minutes.
5. Transfer to a jar. Cool completely before using.

Cocktail Friday: Ginger Spiced Rum Punch

Well, I've nearly survived this week. It's been a long one. In the midst of everything, Riley got his first cold of the season, making him grumpier than usual. Still, we took advantage of the cooler, crisper, drier air and visited the park almost every day. The trees surrounding our favorite park are beginning to show hints of yellow at the tip tops of the leaves. Yesterday, I was actually covered in goosebumps because the air was so cool. And I was blissfully happy.

Ready to make Rum Punch Cocktails :: Set the Table

Along with the cooler air comes my obsession will all things spiced. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger...all of those warming flavors are begging to be enjoyed in cookies, pancakes, and cocktails like this Ginger Spice Rum Punch. It's simple to make for 2 people but can also be made in large batches for fall parties.

Ginger Spice Rum Punch for National Rum Punch Day :: Set the Table

Did you know that today is National Rum Punch Day? Yep. Now you must try this.

Rum Punch Pour :: Set the Table

Ginger Spiced Rum Punch

Ingredients

• 3 oz rum (I used Diplomatico Reserva)
• 1 1/2 oz ginger spice simple syrup (recipe follows)
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• fresh lime juice

Instructions

1. Combine the rum, simple syrup, and pineapple juice in a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake until well chilled and pour into ice filled glasses.
3. Squeeze fresh lime juice on top.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve.

Ginger Spiced Simple Syrup

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 firmly packed tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon mulling spice blend
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar dissolves.
3. Pour through a fine mesh strainer and allow to cool to room temperature before using.
4. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Cocktail Friday: Pumpkin Spice Hot Buttered Rum

What's the saying? Too much of a good thing...something, something, something...? That. That is what we are getting here in Colorado. Since we moved here last year, all we have wanted is a decent amount of precipitation. Snow, rain, it didn't really matter. We didn't want to be picky. Tuesday afternoon is when the rain started. It hasn't stopped since then with the exception of short breaks lasting maybe 30 minutes at the most. It can be such a conflicting feeling laying in bed listening to the rain through your open window knowing that while it sounds soothing and wonderful from the comfort of your bedroom, it sounds terrifying to those who have evacuated their homes. Some of them won't be able to go back.

So, I'm trying to stay positive and enjoy the rain because complaining about it isn't going to change a thing. Not one little thing. I will say that every cell of my being is going out to those impacted by the over-flowing creeks and rivers, the washed away interstates, and the evacuations. Nature is a funny thing. This is a lesson I learned well in Japan after the earthquake on March 11th. If there is one thing I could say, while it may not be as comforting as one might hope, it would be this: respect nature and what is happening. It won't change anything to panic. Mourn if you've lost things but don't let it bring you down. And when it's all over, help one another calmly and with purpose.

While we are rained-in, I'm craving cozy things like casseroles, mugs of hot tea, fuzzy blankets, and chocolate. Well, I'm always craving chocolate. Nothing new there. But in the spirit of staying cozy and calm, I thought buttered rum would be an appropriate cocktail. In the spirit of the season, I've made this a Pumpkin Spice Buttered Rum by adding the warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried citrus. I actually just buy a jar of pumpkin spice seasoning which is absolutely wonderful sprinkled on a latte, added to cookies, or added to hot buttered rum. Duh.

No matter where you find yourself this weekend, look for the sunshine through the clouds. It's there somewhere. I promise.

Hot Buttered Rum

Makes 4 servings

*My sister did the original recipe/post for this on Tokyo Terrace a few years ago. To see the whole post from Rebecca, click here.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• 2 cups dark rum
• 2 Tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 Tablespoon pumpkin spice seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon honey

Instructions

1. Pour the water, cider and rum into a kettle or saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. While your brew is brewing, combine the butter, pumpkin spice seasoning, vanilla extract and honey in a small bowl.
3. Divide brew and butter into 4 pretty cups or mugs. Add a cinnamon stick and serve.