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Cocktail Syrup

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Spiced Old Fashion Cocktail Syrup

Ingredients

Serves 3+
1 cup of water
½ cup brown sugar
3 cardamom pods
1 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves
1 half-inch thick ginger slice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 half-inch thick orange slices

cooking utensils

wooden spoon
small saucepan
8 ounce jar for storage

cooking techniques

boiling
simmering

Spiced Cocktail Syrup Preparation

Ingredients: water, brown sugar, cardamom, anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, ginger, vanilla extract, orange slices

Cooking tools: saucepan, wooden spoon
Duration: 10 minutes
1. warm saucepan over medium-low heat
2. add the brown sugar and allow it to cook for about 2 minutes, stirring slowly
3. reduce the heat to low and slowly add the water
4. add all remaining ingredients and let sit over low heat for 5 minutes
5. remove from heat and once cool enough, add to jar for storage

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Spiced Apple Cider Toddy

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for those chilly nights

For those chilly winter nights, hello Minnesotans!, or the unfortunate persistent cold that’s got you down, an Apple Cider Toddy might be just what the doctor ordered!

In our version of the toddy we have substituted a variety of ingredients for similar counterparts. In place of honey we have the same anise, cinnamon, cardamom syrup base we used in our Winter Old Fashioned. Then, we swapped out a lemon slice for a wedge of orange. Next, to really give you a taste of Minnesota, we added a splash of apple cider and brandy (our variation from whiskey). Garnished with fresh cinnamon stick and an anise star.

The warm and spicy flavors play well together in this beverage intended to heat you up from the inside.  As I write this I feel myself craving a hot cup of tea or anything with a little steam pouring off the top.  We invite you to test this one for yourselves or your loved ones who need a little cup of warmth and happiness this time of year.  Leave out the brandy to share with those not yet of drinking age.

Neera – Palm nectar from “Toddy Palms” or varieties of sap-producing palm trees found in places like India

Serves 2-4

Spiced Apple Cider Toddy

Ingredients

Liquor & Cider
½-1 oz brandy
½ cup apple cider

Garnish
½ slice of orange
anise star
cinnamon stick

Spiced Cocktail Syrup
1 cup water
½ cup brown sugar
3 Cardamom pods
1 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves
1 half-inch thick ginger slice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 half-inch thick orange slices

cooking utensils

stirring spoon
drinking mug or heat-proof glass
small saucepan
wooden spoon
jar for storage

cooking techniques

simple syrup preparation
cocktail preparation

Spiced Cocktail Syrup

Ingredients: [Spiced Syrup] water, brown sugar, cardamom, star anise cinnamon stick, cloves, ginger, vanilla extract, orange slices

Cooking tools: small saucepan, wooden spoon
Duration: 10 minutes
1. Warm up the saucepan over medium-low heat
2. Add the brown sugar, let it cook for a couple of minutes as you stir it with the wooden spoon, letting it become sticky but not burn
3. Reduce heat to low and slowly pour water into the saucepan
4. Add all remaining ingredients for the syrup and let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
5. Remove from heat
6. Put in container or use right away

Making the spiced apple cider toddy

 

Ingredients: spiced cocktail syrup, liquor, cider, garnish (orange, anise, cinnamon stick)
Cooking tools: drinking mug or heat-proof glass, small saucepan, wooden spoon
Duration: 5 minutes
1. Warm up the saucepan over medium-low heat
2. Pour in apple cider and cook for one minute
3. Add 2 tbsp of spiced cocktail syrup and stir until it has fully combined
4. Add the cinnamon stick, orange slices and anise for garnish
5. Let it heat for one minute
6. Remove from heat
7. Add the brandy
8. Pour into mug or glass and enjoy!

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Ginger Lime Spritzer

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sipping on this spritzer

Little Lime
You make my tongue roll back
In shock at sour starts

A dash of sugar never hurt
To make our relationship less tart

A splash of Vanilla
She’s so divine
There to lend a helping hand
And blend these flavors until they’re fine
Preparing for when ginger lands

Chopped up pieces
Soaked in syrup
Adding spice, and something nice

To close our saga, we welcome soda
Clear with bubbles,
Stirring up trouble

Little lime
We’re friends again
Sipping on this Spritzer
Dreaming both of warmth and Summer
One that never ends

Makes 1 drink

Ginger Lime Spritzer

Ingredients

2 parts ginger lime syrup

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 half-inch thick slices ginger
  • 2 half-inch thick slices lime, rind removed
4 parts sparkling water
2-3 ice cubes
garnish
  • Slice of lime with rind
  • Sliver of ginger

cooking utensils

wooden spoon
small saucepan
one small stirring spoon
one glass
measurement tool (from cocktail kit or a tablespoon)

cooking techniques

simple syrup creation
cocktail mixing

cooking utensils

wooden spoon
small saucepan
one small stirring spoon
one glass
measurement tool (from cocktail kit or a tablespoon)

cooking techniques

simple syrup creation
cocktail mixing

DIRECTIONS

Ginger Lime Syrup

Ingredients: granulated sugar, water, vanilla extract, ginger slices, lime slices
Cooking tools: wooden spoon, small saucepan
Duration: 10 minutes
1. Warm up the saucepan over medium-low heat
2. Add the brown sugar, stirring for a minute or two as it begins to caramelize
3. Reduce heat to low
4. Slowly pour the water into the saucepan, stirring to combine with the brown sugar
5. Add the vanilla extract, ginger, and lime slices letting them steep for 5 minutes
6. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes
7. Put in airtight glass or container to store and use as needed for the ginger lime spritzer recipe

Final touch

Ingredients: ginger lime syrup, sparkling water, ice cubes, lime and ginger garnish
Cocktail instruments: cocktail glass, mixing spoon, part measurer or tablespoon
Duration: 5 minutes
1. Pour the 2 parts ginger lime syrup into the cocktail glass
2. Slowly pour the sparkling water into the glass while stirring
3. Make sure the syrup has combined well
4. Add the lime and ginger slices for garnish
5. Add the ice cubes and stir gently with the spoon
6. Pop in a fun straw if desired and enjoy!