Holiday Cocktails

’tis the season to warm up from the inside out, with a cocktail.hot-toddy-2

Our first event this Fall was orchestrated by Cheryl Leahy of all dressed up with nothing to drink. I take my hat off to Cheryl because not only does she put on the most wonderful events in her home, but makes a mean cocktail too. (More to come about Cheryl in a future post.)

Cheryl’s kitchen became our kitchen for our first blogging event as we welcomed invitees for papaspilarsamplesa series of demonstrations: from our Chicken Tortilla Soup meal kit from Peapod, to Kerry Sherman’s iphone photography class and Cheryl’s festive Papas Pilar rum cocktail.

 

 

 

 

 

So as the nights draw in and the holidays begin, we put our Mulling Spices to work in a duo of seasonal cocktails using spiced apple cider. Our mulling blend obtains its licorice notes from the star anise, and highly aromatic, warming, mildly anesthetic properties from cloves and allspice berries. Cinnamon adds a familiar warmth to the apple. 

The first cocktail is a Spiced Rum Fizz inspired by Cheryl’s recipe for Honey Ginger Rum Cider. Cheryl used Papas Pilar dark rum which I sampled as a sipping rum (a first for me) and was instantly pleased by its deep raisiny flavors reminiscent of the Pedro Jimenez dessert sherry I love so much. 

The second cocktail is the perfect antidote to a freezing Winter’s day. A Hot Rum Toddy topped with cream, similar to hot apple cider from a well known coffee establishment, only spiked. If you’re in need of a fruity, spiced comfort drink during cold and flu season then this delivers the sweetness and tartness required of a toddy to works relieve aches and pains.

Here is wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and warm introduction to the holiday season.

 Zen Moment

“Thanksgiving Day is a good day to recommit our energies to giving thanks and just giving.”

-Amy Grant