Because We Have To, Not Because We Want To

Autumn officially starts this week, and although your blogger would prefer to stay in summer, that's not an option. Since we've been selling Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers for a while, we have had some time to get used to the idea. We think a couple of cocktail recipes would also help with the transition.

Stone Wall

This updated version of a Stone Wall mixes rum with ginger beer and apple cider for a refreshing cocktail.

One 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons Simple Syrup
1 1/2 ounces Angostura 5 year old rum
1 1/2 ounces apple cider
Ice
1 1/2 ounces chilled Crabbie's ginger beer
1 lime wedge
1 slice of apple

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the ginger with the simple syrup. Add the rum and cider; fill the shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and top with the ginger beer. Garnish with the lime wedge and apple slice.

Hard Cider Sangria

Instead of wine, this juicy sangria is made with hard cider spiked with lemon juice and apple brandy.

1 cup quartered and thinly sliced unpeeled green, yellow and red apples
1 navel orange—quartered and thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup apple juice, chilled
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup Laird's Apple Jack
two 12-ounce bottle Smith & Forge hard apple cider, chilled
Ice

In a pitcher, combine the apples with the orange, apple juice, lemon juice and brandy. Just before serving, add the hard cider. Serve in tall glasses over ice.

Cheers!