Thirsty Thursday Cocktails

December Cocktail Recipes:

Thirsty Thursday is back on December 1 for some tasty Christmas inspires cocktails.  How much do you LOVE the smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree?  Have you ever wished you could taste it?  Well now you can!  We will be sampling a Balsam Shrub cocktail.  Its made by making a simple syrup out of your Christmas tree needles, mixed with gin and cranberry juice.  So cool right?  Swing on by Thursday night from 5-7 for the recipe and a taste.  We will also be mixing up cranberry Moscow mules,  an apple cider sangria and plain ol apple cider.Click below for recipes:Balsam Gin Sparkler1½ oz citrus forward gin (like Smooth Ambler’s Gin, Tenn South’s Abernath, or Beefeater 24)1 oz balsam syrup1 oz cranberry juice2 oz sparkling watercranberries, for garnishFill a glass with ice and top with the gin, syrup, juice, and sparkling water. Give a stir. Top with juice, and garnish.Balsam Fir Syrup1 cup balsam fir needles, roughly chopped2 cups granulated sugar2 cups water1½ tsp citric acid (can sub juice of 1 lemon)In a medium sauce pan combine sugar and water, heat over medium high to high until boiling and sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. When boiling remove from heat, stir in pine needles and citric acid. Cover and let sit until room temp, taste, and allow to sit longer if you want a stronger flavor. When it’s ready, strain through a sieve lined with cheese cloth. Will keep indefinitely bottled in the fridge.Cranberry Apple Cider SangriaServes: 8 cupsIngredients:1 750 ml. bottle red wine3 cups soft apple cider (non-alcoholic)1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice½ cup Triple Sec or other orange liqueur½ cup honey* (or ½ cup simple syrup, made by heating equal parts of sugar and water over medium heat until dissolved)1 cup fresh or frozen cranberriessparkling water to top off1 cup freshly diced red and/or green apple cubescinnamon sticks for garnishInstructions:Combine red wine, apple cider (or pure apple juice) cranberry juice, orange liqueur and honey (or simple syrup) in a large pitcher.Add cranberries and diced unpeeled apples.Serve over ice, if desired, filling glasses ¾ full and topping off with some sparkling water.Cranberry Moscow MulesServes: 1 cocktailGather:5 ounces Ginger Beer3 oz Cranberry Juice2 oz VodkaSplash of Grand MarnierCranberries for garnishMake:Pour all ingredients over ice and stir.Garnish Cranberries.