Cocktail of the Month: Warm Apple Pie Sangria

The holidays are approaching quickly and if you're hosting, there's no better time to serve batch cocktails to your guests.  If your family is anything like mine, everyone has different tastes when it comes to alcohol.  This cocktail is perfect for younger guests (over the age of 21, of course) who want a cocktail that packs a punch, older guests who want a cocktail that goes down smoothly, and everyone else in between.  And guess what?  It can be served warm or room temperature.  It really is perfect for everyone!

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 apples
• 3 pears
• 750 mL Fireball whiskey
• 1 bottle Pinot Grigio
• 64 oz. apple cider
• 1 liter seltzer water

DIRECTIONS:

1. Chop apples and pears into bite-size chunks.
   
   
2. Place the cut fruit in a bowl and drown in Fireball whiskey. Cover the bowl and let sit for at least an hour.
   
   *Note: I prefer Fireball Whiskey but you can use the cinnamon whiskey of your choice.  Also, the longer the fruit soaks, the more boozy it gets.  For me, the boozier...the better.
   
   
3. In a large pitcher, pour in the wine, apple cider, and seltzer water.  Next, scoop in your soaked apples and stir.
   
   *Note: Don't just pour the soaked fruit concoction in with the wine, cider and seltzer water because it may not give it the taste you want.  Just scoop the apples in and add the whiskey juice as you see fit.
   
   
4. If desired warm, pour sangria in a cup and put it in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. Serve and enjoy! 

This recipe is for 10-15 servings and is guaranteed to be a hit with your guests.  They will be able to stuff themselves with food and still have enough room for this light and refreshing cocktail.  I am making this for my family so you should too.  Let me know how it turns out!

Cocktail of the Month: Pumpkin Spice White Russian

Autumn has arrived!  Why not ring in the new season with a festive and seasonal cocktail?  Nothing says fall is here more than something that’s pumpkin spiced.  This month, sit back and drink to one of the most fun seasons with a fun twist on the staple White Russian…the Pumpkin Spice White Russian.

I’m sure you’re already drinking pumpkin in your coffee and eating it in bread, so it only makes sense to add it to your cocktail too. This is the kind of drink to enjoy in the fall weather.  It’s just as comforting as it is yummy. The Pumpkin Spice White Russian is the perfect drink to sip throughout the month, as we start to watch the leaves change color and fall to the ground.

You can buy pumpkin spice syrup to add to the drink (or any tea or coffee you may be drinking), but why not make the syrup yourself? This month, we’ve got a two-for-one special: recipes for the cocktail AND the accompanying syrup.  They’re both pretty quick and easy to make!

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Ingredients:

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

1. Combine all three ingredients in a small saucepan.
2. Heat and Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
3. Let cool, strain into a container.

*Note – you can keep this syrup stored in the fridge for up to two weeks!

Just as simple as that, now you have your pumpkin spice syrup. Time to start on the cocktail.

Pumpkin Spice White Russian

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1.5 ounces Bailey’s (original flavor)
• 1 ounce half and half
• 1 ounce pumpkin spice syrup
• cinnamon stick

Instructions:

1. Fill glass with ice.
2. Combine vodka, Bailey’s, half and half, and Syrup.
3. Stir.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Again, this entire recipe is very simple.  If you’re like me and are conscience of calories in drinks, I make my White Russians with skim milk instead of half and half, but this is a personal choice and definitely makes the drink taste a lot stronger. Be sure to consider this if you’re debating making the substitution. Another important difference to note between this drink and a classic White Russian is that it uses Bailey’s instead of Kahlua, so there’s an extra creaminess that makes it particularly delicious.

Curl up with a good book, a Pumpkin Spice White Russian, and find yourself a nice spot in front of a window to watch the beautiful season change right outside your door.  Cheers!

-Noori Chishti