Fall Festivus Cocktail with Maple, Cider and Spice

I know I usually post cocktail recipes on thursdays here on the blog, but I knew you all had been deprived of a good post and I am still up to my elbows developing my next fall baking recipe, so a good drink to hold you over is a good call.

This is a variation of a good snap and cider. Snap being a AITA ginger snap inspired spirit, the molasses ginger notes are just perfection. My other favorite things about fall include the wondrous spices that suddenly pop out of our cabinets. Star anise, ginger and cinnamon are some of my favorites. 

There are some specific ingredients in this recipe, but they are worth it. Especially if you love this kind of drink, you will have them all fall long and it's a great drink to bring to Thanksgiving :)

SNAP is from Art in the Age, look for it ahead of the holiday if you want to buy it, some liquor stores run out before the holiday. For Pumpkin Pie Spices, I use Williams Sonoma, it's a really good spicy mix of ginger and cinnamon that can't be beat. If not ground cinnamon and ground ginger will replace well.

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Fall Festivus Cocktail

makes one cocktail

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INGREDIENTS

1.5 ounces (one shot) SNAP

1 oz maple syrup

1 pinch pumpkin pie spices (or ginger and cinnamon)

A tiny bit of grated anise star (optional)

Fresh Apple Cider

Cinnamon Stick for Garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Start with your tall cocktail glass and add in your maple syrup, snap and spices.

Stir vigorously to incorporate the ingredients.

Add ice to fill the glass half way.

Fill glass the rest of the way with cider.

OPTIONAL: to make this even more festive mix some cane sugar with your spices and rim the glass. For some reason citrus works best so use a little lemon slice on the rim and place into cinnamon sugar before starting recipe.