spiced apple cider rosemary margarita
Much of a bourbon/whiskey person as I am, margaritas are creeping their way up the alcoholic beverage rating latter.
My treat after last Saturday’s 18 mile run, and Wednesday’s 90 minute pace run, was a pour of this Spiced Apple Cider Rosemary Margarita. Both days, I think, warranted an extra indulgence, though Wednesday I enjoyed one around dinnertime and the warm buzzing produced by my weak-ass alcohol digestive enzymes kept me antsy for a good hour beyond my attempted bedtime.
On Saturday, we actually experienced a day reminiscent of what we excuse as autumn in Florida. A brisk wind, overcast skies, decidedly lower humidity. Most others would scoff at this description, but it’s all I’ve got to hold onto this mid September.
Even after four drinks between J and I over this week, I’ve a massive jug of apple cider in the fridge I have to morph into culinary magic. Since it’s only two of us in the household, even our healthy appetites can’t finish some things fast enough, especially mine – I tend to buy things to use once or twice, then revert to bowls of cereal for an everyday snack. Just one example of my annoying habitual temperament.
One use for leftover cider? Cardamom Sugar Swirled Cider Pumpkin Bread.
Cider Marg Rules
Take some time to make a rosemary simple syrup. The woodsy backnotes enrich the cider spices, especially if you also garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig once the drink is prepared. Just simmer a good bit of rosemary with sugar and water, then let it steep about 10 minutes to deeply infuse the syrup. Strain the solids off, squeezing the rosemary to remove as much sugar as possible. Discard the spent sprigs.
Then, grab your shaker and work it. 1 oz rosemary syrup (or more if you want), 3 oz of a good spiced cider, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz Cointreau or any orange liqueur, 1 1/2 oz tequila. Add some ice, shake, and pour into a cocktail glass. Fancy it up with some honeycrisp apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and aforementioned rosemary.
If you’re having a gathering, bake up a beautiful Maple Brown Butter Fig Layer Cake for guests to munch on. For acitivities, go apple picking or some shit. And use those apples to make more margaritas.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
More margs for days:
Blushing Grapefruit Ginger Margarita
Smoky Watermelon Mint Margarita
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 oz spiced apple cider
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz Cointreau (orange liqueur)
- 1 1/2 oz tequila
Instructions
- Gently boil the rosemary, sugar, and water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let steep 10 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a small jar or bowl, pressing the rosemary sprigs to get as much of the sugar out as possible. Discard the leaves.
- Fill a cocktail glass with ice. In a shaker, combine 1 oz rosemary syrup, spiced apple cider, lemon juice, Cointreau, and tequila. Add ice and shake, then pour into prepared glass. Garnish with apple slices, rosemary sprigs, and a cinnamon stick.
