Take a load off, kick your feet up & join me for a nightcap
The editors and I spend long hours in the office together, and we love to unwind with tasty, locally inspired cocktails once our work-week is done. I wrote down a few of my personal favorites. I hope this inspires you to get creative, make your own seasonal sippers and support our great Clinton County distilleries. Stay warm, readers, and sip responsibly!
The Aquavit Oslo
North Country natives and Scandanavians have two things in common: number one, We understand that winters are long, cold and dark. Number two, We know how to make the most of the season. So here’s our DoNorth-Scandanavian twist on the beloved Manhattan.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz Osprey Aquavit from Murray’s Fools Distilling Co.
– .75 oz sweet vermouth
– .25 oz Kirsch
– 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Stir all the ingredients in a tumbler with ice, strain into an ice-filled double old-fashioned glass. Garnish it with an orange peel, or my personal favorite, Griottines brandy-soaked cherries.
The ADK Woodburner
Let’s be honest, is there anything better than peeling off your cold wet gear after a winter adventure and cozying up around a cracking wood burning stove? I think not. But, that fire is only going to warm your outsides, so I’m here with my take on the Hot Toddy to help warm your insides!
Ingredients:
– ¾ cup infused water mixture
– 1 ½ oz Workin’ Man’s Whiskey from Mountain Spirit Distilling
– 2 teaspoons of honey from Adirondack Bee Supply
– 3 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice
– 1 lemon round, and 1 rosemary sprig for garnishing
To make infused water mixture: Boil 3 cups of water with fresh rosemary sprigs, lemon peels, 1 cinnamon stick and 3-4 whole cloves. Keep at a rolling boil for 5 minutes and then leave on medium heat for an additional 10 minutes.
In a mug, add infused hot water and honey, then stir until the honey is fully dissolved. Mix in the Workin’ Man’s Whiskey and lemon juice. Throw the garnishes on there, sit back and warm up.
The Reindeer Refresher
If you love trendy cocktails as much as I do, then you’ve undoubtedly had a Moscow Mule once or twice. I’ve decided to throw a seasonal spin on the copper-mugged classic we all adore.
Ingredients:
– 1 oz Snowshoe Vodka from Murray’s Fools Distilling Co.
– ½ oz fresh squeezed lime juice
– 6 oz ginger beer, the spicier the better!
– Crushed candy cane, pomegranate seeds and fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Fill your copper mug with ice, add vodka, ginger beer and lime. Stir gently. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes and pomegranate seeds on top, then garnish with a big beautiful mint sprig. Why not double the recipe and sip with your sweetie under some conveniently placed mistletoe?
The Champlain Coffee Cooler
A blended ice drink may seem like a strange choice for a North Country winter but trust on this one. This adult milkshake is a perfect dessert drink for curling up on the couch in your favorite flannel jammies.
Ingredients:
– 1 ½ oz Morning Wood Vodka from Mountain Spirit Distilling
– 1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
– 2 oz light cream
– Whipped cream
– Crushed candy cane for garnish
Place all the ingredients in a blender with ice, blend to a milkshake consistency. Serve in a chilled glass.
