Apple Cider Gets Dressed Up for Holiday Parties
By Caroline Beck
When apple cider is pressed from an orchard full of heirloom varieties, the result has all the complexities of the best vintage red wine, but the finish is as crisp and clean as water from a spring-fed stream. Cider this good can be served ice-cold in a glass and downed in one long draw, making it the simplest of holiday drinks.
But as good as it is, there's still room for embellishment. Cider - hard or sweet - is enjoying a revival as the new "it" libation among the growing gluten-free crowd. And five minutes of prep time now will yield the perfect cocktail for a holiday party weeks away.
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"Banjo Bill's Anticipation" is a simple cider-based libation that comes straight out of old-time Arizona. Although the cocktail's history stretches back to the late 1800s, you only need three to four weeks to steep the spiced rum that marries with fresh cider to create a rich, warm apéritif.
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The magic behind the recipe is its reliance on truly fresh cider, not processed apple juice, and homemade spiced rum created from fresh ingredients not found in common bottled brands.
Banjo Bill's Anticipation
From Garland's Oak Creek Lodge
If you want to serve this piping-hot spiked cider for the winter holidays, you should get started now - even if it only means assembling a few ingredients and hiding them away to steep until it's time to bring out this rich, warm holiday grog.
Serves 1
Ingredients
1¼ ounce spiced rum (see below)
6 ounces fresh apple cider
Directions
1. Mix ingredients.
2. Serve hot, in a mug with a cinnamon stick garnish, or over ice with a garnish of lime or a sprig of mint in warmer weather.
Captain Vacation's Spiced Rum
Ingredients
2 750-ml bottles of light rum
1 lemon
1 orange
2 fingers of fresh ginger, peeled and julienned (about 2 ounces)
4-5 sticks cinnamon
2 tablespoons whole cloves
1 tablespoon whole cardamom pods
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
Directions
1. Wash and dry lemon and orange, removing any residue from the surface.
2. Peel the fruit, avoiding the white pith under the peel. Place the peels into a large, clean glass container.
3. Add the remaining spices and the rum, making sure that it completely covers the peels, ginger and spices. Stir the mixture and cover the container tightly. Place the container away from heat or sunlight and let the mixture steep for up to 3 to 4 weeks.
4. After steeping, place a colander lined with cheesecloth inside of a large bowl. Pour the rum mixture into the colander and drain, using a wooden spoon to press out any excess liquid from the peels. Discard the peels.
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Caroline J. Beck is a freelance food and wine writer and a strategic advisor to specialty food start-ups. Her articles and columns have appeared in such publications as the Santa Ynez Valley Journal, Michigan BLUE -- Michigan's Lakestyle Magazine, and The Olive Oil Source, the world's top-ranked olive oil-related website, where she has served as editor since 2007. Caroline's website, www.carolinejbeck.com, provides common sense advice for enthusiastic entrepreneurs looking to succeed in the specialty foods business.
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