cinnamon maple cider paloma
Warm and cozy, yet sparkling and sassy. Like my own Jekyll and Hyde personalities.
Happy Friday! Another week traversed, another week desperately wishing some relief from our 90+ degree afternoons would arrive. As of yet, nada, though next week might show some promise if those 84/85 degree highs hold. Big whoop. More like small whoop. Whoop.
We’re pulling up weekend vibes today with this lovely Cinnamon Maple Cider Paloma. A speck of summer wrapped in an autumn robe, for those who still yearn for those warmer days. A breeze splash of grapefruit and lime humble the tequila, cinnamon maple simple syrup, and apple cider than otherwise occupy your glass.
I’d say, a perfect drink for the warmer afternoons or the brisker evenings. Best of both. Love me a multitasking cocktail.
Paloma-nia
Take a few extra moments to whip up the cinnamon maple simple syrup. It’s quite simple. Combine an equal amount of maple and water in a saucepan and simmer until dissolved together, then pull the pan off the heat and toss in a few cinnamon sticks. Steep about 10 minutes, then discard the sticks.
Leftover syrup keeps great for up to a week in the fridge, if you anticipate further palomas down the line.
Now, for the drink! If you’d like to rim your glass like I did, toss a couple spoonfuls of sugar with cinnamon powder on a shallow plate. Brush your glass with honey and dip into the cinnamon sugar, shaking off excess.
I also recommend using a fresh grapefruit for the juice but a good-quality bottle is fine too.
In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, grapefruit juice, apple cider, some of your syrup, and lime juice. Shake with ice until cold, then pour into your cocktail glass. Finish with either grapefruit soda or sparkling cider, depending on whether you want more citrus or more apple in your drink.
For garnish, I enjoy a rosemary sprig and lots of apple slices. Boozy fruit in cocktails is the best. A cinnamon stick would be cute, too!
And with that, let’s scurry on into the weekend. Huzzah! Hope you have something nice planned and, if not, maybe a little drink with your furry friend snuggled up nearby is a viable option.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a rating and comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
Feeling another paloma?
cinnamon maple cider paloma
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 oz tequila
- 2 oz apple cider
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- grapefruit soda or sparkling cider, to top
- rosemary sprigs and apple slices, to serve
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, simmer the maple syrup and 1/2 cup of water until warm and combined, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and toss in the cinnamon sticks. Steep for 10 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks. Leftover syrup will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, apple cider, grapefruit juice, 1 oz of the cinnamon syrup, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until cold. Pour into your favorite cocktail glass and top with either grapefruit soda or sparkling apple cider. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and plenty of apple slices, as desired.
