Autumn Sweater cocktail
This is a crowd pleasing cocktail for fall time, and especially for Thanksgiving. It even sounds like something to cozy up on the couch with: the Autumn Sweater. It has very few ingredients and is simple to throw together. In order to serve a group, you could also make a large batch of this in a punch bowl or other vessel (leaving out the hard cider so it stays effervescent), and top each glass with hard cider upon serving. It’s just sweet enough, while still being a fairly stiff drink. For my staunch Maker’s Mark-loving family, this is a way to turn the old standby into something a little more festive. And as the outcast who doesn’t love bourbon, I can still really enjoy this cocktail for its other seasonal and warming flavors.
Autumn Sweater
Adapted slightly from The Daily Refresher
Yields 1 cocktail to be served in a rocks glass
2 oz Maker’s Mark bourbon
¼ oz maple syrup
2 dashes old fashioned bitters, such as Angostura
3-4 oz hard cider, such as 1911 or Angry Orchard
In a Boston shaker, combine bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters with a few scoops of ice cubes. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. Add fresh ice cubes to rocks glass. Using a strainer (I used a Hawthorne strainer), pour into glass. Top with hard cider to nearly fill the glass.