Fall is officially upon us. This means pumpkin spiced lattes and hot apple cider are in the not so distant future. This also means that the season of entertaining has arrived. To help you get an early start on your celebrations, I am serving up three perfect for fall cocktails with some pretty garnishes.
Apple Cider Moscow Mules
First up, Apple Cider Moscow Mules. The Moscow Mule is totally having a moment, and I don’t mind. Its spicy flavor is incredible, and this apple cider version is perfect for your fall soirées.
To make the Apple Cider Moscow Mules, start by cutting the apple slices for the mule and the garnish. Cut thin slices using the 8″ Slicer Knife from the KitchenAid® 11pc Professional Series Cutlery Set.
To make the apple garnish, cut some slices in half, fan them out, and secure them with a cocktail pick.
To make the lime twist, first slice a piece of lime with the 3.5″ Paring Knife. Cut out the fruit in the middle, and slice the lime rind. Twist the lime around a pencil. The lime should hold its twisty shape.
Next, grab a copper mug. In the mug, add the apple slices and some ice. Add the vodka, apple cider, lime juice, cinnamon, and agave syrup. Top off with ginger beer. Stir well and garnish with the apple fan and lime twist.
Lemon Basil Refresher
Next, let’s make a Lemon Basil Refresher. This drink can really be served any time of year, but the spicy basil makes it just the drink for fall.
Start by making the simple syrup. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the cold water and sugar to a boil. Turn the heat to low and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is clear, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside. Second, make the candied lemon peels. Using the 3.5″ Paring Knife from the KitchenAid® 11pc Professional Series Cutlery Set, remove the peel from the lemon from top to bottom. Then cut the peel into 1/4-inch wide strips. In a saucepan, over medium heat, bring the simple syrup to a simmer. Add the strips of lemon peel and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. Third, make the basil strips according to the instructions below.
Stack the basil leaves on top of one another.
Using the 8″ Slicer Knife, chiffonade the leaves into 1/4 inch strips. This will help to release the natural oils in the basil.
Lastly, it’s time to put the cocktail together. Add the basil strips to a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice. Add the lemon juice, sparkling water, candied lemon peel, simple syrup, and vodka to a shaker. Briefly stir the ingredients together to incorporate. Add ice and give the shaker a quick shake. Pour into the glass, stir, and garnish with a basil leaf.
Pomegranate, Apple, and Blackberry Sangria
My final fall cocktail is Pomegranate, Apple, and Blackberry Sangria. The gorgeous burgundy color of this drink just screams fall entertaining. And the sweet and robust taste will make your tastebuds scream.
To make the sangria, start by cutting the apple into thin strips using the 8″ slicing knife. Cut the pomegranate in half and remove the arils. Add the fruit, honey, and cinnamon stick to a pitcher. Pour in the red wine. Add the club soda just before serving.
Garnish with a lemon twist and some blackberries. To make the lemon twist, using the 3.5″ Paring Knife cut a slice of lemon. Cut out the fruit in the middle, and slice the lemon rind.
Twist the lemon peel around a pencil. The lime should hold its twisty shape.
I hope you enjoy this trio of fall cocktails. Now get your party started!
Apple Cider Moscow Mule
Makes 1 serving
INGREDIENTS
1 apple
1 lime
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces apple cider
Ginger beer to top off (about 1/2 cup)
Cinnamon to sprinkle
Agave syrup to taste
DIRECTIONS
Start by cutting the apple slices for the mule and the garnish. Cut thin slices using the 8″ Slicer Knife from the KitchenAid® 11pc Professional Series Cutlery Set.
To make the apple garnish, cut some slices in half, fan them out, and secure them with a cocktail pick.
To make the lime twist, first slice a piece of lime using the 3.5″ Paring Knife. Cut out the fruit in the middle, and slice the lime rind. Twist the lime around a pencil. The lime should hold its twisty shape.
Finally, grab a copper mug. In the mug, add the apple slices and some ice. Add the vodka, apple cider, a splash of lime juice, a dash of cinnamon, and agave syrup to taste. Top off with ginger beer. Stir well and garnish with the apple fan and lime twist.
Lemon Basil Refresher
Makes 1 serving
INGREDIENTS
For simple syrup
1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water
For candied lemon peel
2 lemons
6 ounces simple syrup
For the cocktail
1 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce sparkling water
5 large basil leaves
5 strips of candied lemon peel
DIRECTIONS
Start by making the simple syrup. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the cold water and sugar to a boil. Turn the heat to low and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is clear, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
Second, make the candied lemon peels. Using the 3.5″ Paring Knife from the KitchenAid® 11pc Professional Series Cutlery Set, remove the peel from the lemon from top to bottom. Then cut the peel into 1/4-inch wide strips. In a saucepan, over medium heat, bring the simple syrup to a simmer. Add the strips of lemon peel and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Third, make the basil strips. Using the 8″ Slicer Knife, chiffonade the leaves into 1/4 inch strips. This will help to release the natural oils in the basil. Add the strips to a shaker.
Lastly, it’s time to put the cocktail together. Add the basil strips to a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice. Add the lemon juice, sparkling water, candied lemon peel, simple syrup, and vodka to a shaker. Briefly stir the ingredients together to incorporate. Add ice and give the shaker a quick shake. Pour into the glass, stir, and garnish with a basil leaf.
Pomegranate, Apple and Blackberry Sangria
Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 large apple, thinly sliced
1 cup pomegranate arils
1 cup blackberries + some for garnish
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1 cinnamon stick
1 bottle red wine
3/4-1 cup chilled club soda
1 lemon
DIRECTIONS
Start by cutting the apple into thin strips using the 8″ Slicer Knife from the KitchenAid® 11pc Professional Series Cutlery Set. Cut the pomegranate in half and remove the arils. Add the fruit, honey, and cinnamon stick to a pitcher. Pour in the red wine. Add the club soda just before serving.
Garnish with a lemon twist and some blackberries. To make the lemon twist, using the 3.5″ Paring Knife cut a slice of lemon. Cut out the fruit in the middle, and slice the lemon rind.
Twist the lemon peel around a pencil. The lime should hold its twisty shape.
*The Contributor of this post has been compensated by KitchenAid for this post, but this post represents the Contributor’s own opinion.*
