Now that we have successfully swooned over our peachy-punchy old-fashioned cocktails, I’m snapping the reins and leading us into everyone’s favorite season: autumn! It’s a time of year where wool sweaters are unearthed from the depths of closets, people make mad dashes for the nearest craft stores in order to get their hands on early Halloween decorations, and everything一 and I mean everything一 begins to smell like pumpkin spice.

Everything except for the drink I’m about to teach you! Instead of pungent gourds with a hint of nutmeg, I invite you to sail on a sip of the freshest and most classic fruit that will turn your insides to glitter and make you want to dive into a sea of soft blankets: the Apple-Maple Dream.

I invite you to sail on a sip of the freshest and most classic fruit that will turn your insides to glitter and make you want to dive into a sea of soft blankets: the Apple-Maple Dream.

In my twenty-four years alive on this earth, I have never met someone who doesn’t like apples. And why would I? Apples are like the Meryl Streep of the fruit group: timeless, glorious, and good in everything! They keep doctors at bay, can satisfy even the most aggressive sweet tooth, and make lovely presents for teachers doing their best. In making this crisp cocktail, you can float on a river of maple while watching the leaves turn gold and end a breezy day with a sugary-cinnamon finish.

With this recipe, there are options for you to better personalize your cider-tastic beverage: if you wish for more warmth instead of a cooling fizz, nix the ginger beer; if you desire a spice kick, add a cinnamon stick and a sprig of rosemary to your finished drink; and if it’s not boozy enough for you, a tablespoon of Fireball with your existing bourbon should heat up your core quite nicely.

So, this month, ditch the pumpkin spice and go back to your roots… so that you can cuddle up with a drink that enriches your enthusiasm for all things autumn!

Warm Apple Cider with Maple and Bourbon

Ingredients:

• 1 medium saucepan

• 2 cups of apple cider

• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup

• A few cubes of ice

• 2 tablespoons of bourbon

• A gush of ginger beer

• Apple slices for garnish

• A squeeze of lemon juice

• Sugar crystals

• Cinnamon sugar (optional)

Directions:

1. Put your medium saucepan on your stove on low heat. Take your appropriate amounts of apple cider and maple syrup and put them in the saucepan, warming and stirring the mixture for approximately three minutes.

2. While your apple cider-maple syrup mixture is simmering, take your lemon juice and apply it on the rim of your chosen glass. Sprinkle your sugar crystals on the lemon-kissed lips of your mug so that they stick and sparkle. Include your cinnamon sugar in the sprinkle if you selected the option!

3. Plunk a few ice cubes in your glass and add the bourbon with a splash! Remove your apple cider-maple syrup mixture from the stove and pour it in, but leave room for the ginger beer. Slide in your fresh apple slices, and then fill the remainder of your glass with ginger beer!Now you’re ready to sip, relax, and settle in!

Now you’re ready to sip, relax, and settle in!