Adult Apple Cider

“What whiskey will not cure, there is no cure for” –Irish proverb

Ready to take on 2013. 

Happy New Year, bitches! I apologize for the hiatus, but I take the holidays and vacationing very seriously. However, I am confident that if you have been reading Domesticate Me! as regularly as you should be, your domestic skills were most likely able to survive two weeks without my instruction.

I was unable to domesticate you all last week because I was in Vail with Logan and his parents. Logan’s family is very outdoorsy and athletic. Unsurprisingly, they are scarily serious skiers. Both Logan and his mother are former ski instructors, and naturally, Logan hopes that I will one day share his love of skiing. Unfortunately, this is highly unlikely. (I keep reminding him that opposites attract.)

I used to ski as a kid, but until last winter, I hadn’t skied in ten years. During that time, I seem to have developed a healthy fear of dying on the slopes. It’s not like I need an Edgie Wedgie or that I want to kick it on the bunny hill all day, I just prefer not to be dragged off the groomed trails into the “sick pow in the back bowls.” Call me crazy.

I skied four days last week, and despite one very bad fall and Logan’s refusal to accept that I am an intermediate skier, I am still alive. It was moderately fun, but I remain ambivalent to the sport. Long story short, I don’t love exercise, I have bad circulation, and I’m really not into helmets or what they do to my hair.

I also hate carrying my skis. 

Luckily, I make up for my lack of enthusiasm for skiing with my deep appreciation for the après-ski scene. I may not be into ripping and shredding on the slopes, but I’m very much into cocktails in my one-piece. While beer and wine are après staples, I found myself craving a cozy cocktail last week. And nothing is cozier than Adult Apple Cider:

Adult Apple Cider. This winter's winning cocktail.

It’s warm and involves fruit juice, so feel free to drink it before 5 pm. If you’re a little down or under the weather, this cocktail is practically medicinal. It’s 100% guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies. Plus, spiced cider makes your home smell delicious.

Adult Apple Cider isn’t just for the holidays or après-skiing, people. It’s the ultimate fall and winter drink. And while it is best enjoyed in front of a roaring fire, it still fares pretty well on your couch. I would like to remind you that we have at least two more frigid months ahead, so I suggest you keep a batch of this handy at all times. Being a good bartender is an incredibly important life skill.

If warm cocktails aren’t really your jam, simply pour the spiced apple cider over ice with bourbon and a splash of ginger ale, and you have a refreshing Ginger Apple Fizz:

Ginger Apple Fizz. Your new bestie.

In case the thought of booze is still making you ill post-holidays (no judgment), this spiced apple cider tastes delicious hot or cold sans bourbon. Cheers to 2013! I have a really good feeling about this year.* I don’t like to make resolutions (since I don’t enjoy feeling guilty when I ultimately break them), but I do like to set “New Year’s Goals.” This year I am going to stick with the same goals I had for 2012. I’m all about persistence.

*This may or may not be attributable to the fact that I tested this recipe this morning. 

Adult Apple Cider: (Serves 8)

Ingredients:

8 cups apple cider

Juice of 1 orange

2 tsp nutmeg

6 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp whole cloves

2 cups bourbon

Preparing your Cider:

-In a large pot, combine apple cider, orange juice, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Simmer for 20 minutes.

-Remove from the heat and strain the cider (you can even use a pasta strainer if you must). Mix in the bourbon and serve. Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick if you’re feeling festive (which you should).

*You may also add a ¼ cup bourbon to individual cups of cider. Keep the virgin spiced cider in the fridge and re-heat it whenever you like. Or make a Ginger Apple Fizz!

Ginger Apple Fizz: (Serves 1)

Ingredients:

½ cup spiced apple cider

1 shot of bourbon

Splash of ginger ale

Ice

Preparing your Fizz:

-Let the spiced apple cider cool.

-Pour cider into  a tumbler over ice. Add whiskey and a splash of ginger ale. Stir and get after it!