Cocktails for the Fall & Winter

Tis the season of shorter days and chillier nights.  It’s a great time to kick back and relax after a long Summer of go-go-go.  When you’re curled up at night with a good book in front of the fire here are some tea inspired cocktails that will warm you from the inside.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Tea Cocktail

4 oz water
1 tsp Pumpkin Spice black tea
1.5 oz vodka
.25 oz lemon juice
1 tsp simple syrup (I used an Herbal Chai syrup that I had on hand – see recipe below)

Boil water and pour over Pumpkin tea.  Steep for 5 minutes, then strain and cool.

Place vodka, lemon juice, brewed tea and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill, then pour into a chilled glass. Garnish with lemon and orange peels if desired.

Herbal Chai Pear Daiquiri

Herbal Chai simple syrup:

½ cup water
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp Herbal Chai Masala

Heat in a small saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes, then strain out the spices.

Cocktail:

2oz rhum
½ oz Herbal Chai simple syrup
½ oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz pear juice
1/8 tsp vanilla extract
Lemon twist

Combine the rhum, syrup, juices and vanilla in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Pour into a chilled glass. Garnish with lemon peel.

Orange Spice Black Tea Toddy

4 oz water
1 ½ tsp Orange Spice Black Tea
1oz scotch
1/8 tsp Cointreau
1/4 oz simple syrup
3 dashes bitters

Brew the Orange Spice tea in boiling water for 4 minutes, then strain out the leaves.  Pour into a glass and add the scotch, cointreau, syrup and bitters.  Stir and garnish with a clove studded orange section (if desired).

Ginger Pear Black Tea Toddy

4 oz fresh apple cider
1 tsp Ginger Pear Black tea
¼ oz fresh lemon juice
½ tsp honey
1 oz aged rhum or spiced rum
2 dashes bitters

In a small saucepan heat cider, lemon juice, honey syrup, water & tea and simmer for 3 minutes.  Strain into a warm mug and stir in rum and bitters.

Cozy Comfort Cocktail

Cozy Comfort simple syrup:
½ cup water
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp Cozy Comfort Tea

Heat in a small saucepan over low heat for 3 minutes, then strain out the tea.

Orange peel (1″ piece)
¾ oz cozy comfort syrup
4 dashes bitters
2 oz whisky (I used Crown Royal)

Muddle together the orange peel, syrup and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Add whisky and ice and shake until chilled. Pour into a small glass that has a couple of ice cubes in it. Top with an orange twist.

Apple Cinnamon Hot Toddy

2 tsp Apple Cinnamon Coffeecake Black Tea
1 cup boiling water
lemon slice studded with whole cloves
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1oz whiskey

Pour boiling water over tea leaves, steep for 3 minutes and strain. Slice a lemon wedge and place a whole clove in each section of the wedge. Place in the brewed tea with the maple syrup and whiskey. Sure to keep you warm on a chilly Fall night!

 We hope these cocktail recipes keep you warm!