This warm apple cider cocktail is a layered play on hot cider, says Josh Levine, hospitality and retail operations manager for Durham Distillery.
The distillery’s American dry gin forms the cocktail’s base. It’s joined by the house Krupnikas, a Lithuanian-style spiced liqueur loaded with warming baking spices. Calvados or apple brandy deepens the apple notes. A little lemon juice, demerara syrup (a more caramelized take on simple syrup), and apple cider round it out.
The result plays off everything we crave this time of year: apples, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg all served warm. Optional add-in: a comfy seat next to a blazing fire.
2 ounces apple cider
½ ounce demerara syrup
½ ounce lemon juice
1 ½ ounces Conniption American Dry Gin
1 ounce Krupnikas
1 ounce apple brandy
Heat cider, syrup, and juice together. Add gin, brandy, and Krupnikas into cup with hot liquid. Garnish with a star anise pod, cinnamon stick, lemon wedge, and/or dried apple slice.
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