Life’s Flavors: Rosemary Apple Cider cocktail By Allison Libby-Thesing Of The Oak’s Bed & Breakfast
Fall has finally arrived and along with it comes cool days and nights. This month’s cocktail is a great way to warm up at the end of the night or around the fire pit. Warm up with this month’s Herb infused cocktail a Rosemary Apple Cider Toddy.
This one is so simple to make, you can make it in a big batch to serve for a party or just warm it up for yourself as you wind down in the evening. The flavors of fall are warmed up for you with apple cider and cinnamon notes that make you feel warm all over. Grab some friends and prepare this drink for everyone and enjoy it while watching the flames and celebrating the wins of the season.
Hot toddy is thought to originally be found in India, while still under British control. The use of a fermented palm sap, heated with hot water and additional spices created this popular cold weather drink. As this drink found it’s way around the world, doctors started to prescribe it to their patients as a”healing elixir.” Brandy, water, cinnamon, and sugar were the part of the first prescribed drinks by doctors. Overtime they have evolved into a hot drink with lemon, honey, whiskey, and spices. I know, I have used this drink in the past to ease a sore throat.
For this drink, you can make your own apple cider or purchase a pre-made bottle at the store. I will say, I did purchase a bottle since I did not have time to make my own. I think that my own apple cider would be a great way to add in more of the rosemary to the drink. The rosemary could be added at any point in the process depending on how deep you wanted the flavor to be. The rosemary gives this drink a woodsier taste or just a hit of the herbal flavor if you only used as a garnish. Either way works, it just depends on what you are looking for in the final flavor. We added some rosemary to the heating apple cider to really bring it out in the drink.
Rosemary Apple Cider Toddy
6 ounces Apple Cider
1 ounce Whiskey we used Teelings
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Garnish with lemon slice, cinnamon stick, rosemary, or apple slice.
Heat up your apple cider and rosemary to a low boil. When done pour directly into your glass, add in whiskey and lemon juice. Stir in the honey if using. Garnish with your rosemary, lemon, apple, and cinnamon stick.
I personally found it too sweet to use honey in the main part of the drink, but to each their own. If you enjoy a sweeter drink, then I highly recommend using honey. Local honey is best, since it will add in a bit of an allergy reducer, since the bees would have been attracted to local pollen. No local honey, no sweat, just use what you have on hand.
As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver. Enjoy this holiday treat with friends at the Tipsy Oak Lounge Thursday-Saturday from 4-8 p. m. We can’t wait to serve you.
By Allison Libby-Thesing
