Raise a Glass to the Holidays!

2017-12-08 10:12:33

Thanks to Finnriver Farm & Cidery for these two great reasons to celebrate the holidays with Olympic Culinary Loop cheer!

SPIRITED APPLE WINE HOT TODDY

4 ozs hot water

1 oz Finnriver Spirited Apple Wine 1 oz honey 1 dash nutmeg & cinnamon (stick optional) 1 lemon (wedge)

A IS FOR APPLE, B IS FOR BOURBON

Into a shaker glass full of ice pour

1 oz Finnriver Spirited Apple Wine and

1 oz bourbon.

Cover and shake hard until glass is chilled.

Strain up into a cocktail glass.

Optional garnish with a citrus peel and/or cinnamon stick to swirl around the glass while you sip.

We raise the glass to Amy Grondin for this creation!

Non-Alcoholic Spiced Apple Tea

Ingredients 1 lemon 4 cups apple juice 2 cups water 4 inches stick cinnamon 1 tablespoon whole cardamom pods, crushed 1 teaspoon whole cloves 6 black tea bags (decaffeinated, if desired) 1/4 cup maple syrup Thin apple slices Directions: Use a vegetable peeler to remove strips of peel from half of the lemon; set peel aside. Squeeze juice from lemon. Combine apple juice, water, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice in a large saucepan. (Save remaining juice for another use.) For the spice bag, place cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and the lemon peel strips in the center of a 6-inch square of double-thick 100-percent cotton cheesecloth. Bring corners together and tie with a clean string. Add bag to apple juice mixture. Bring mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and spice bag and discard them. Stir in maple syrup. Serve in mugs. If desired, float apple slices on top of each serving. Makes 8 servings.