By Katie Allie
Fall and winter are upon us, which means it’s time for everything from tailgating spreads and holiday parties to intimate get-togethers and cozy evenings for cuddling. With all those engagements, you’ll need something to serve up for others—and yourself. Here is a collection of West Virginia-inspired cocktails that are sure to exceed expectations and prove to be anything but boring for your meet-ups. Next time you’re looking for something with a spark, try out these drinks that are sure to pack a bigger punch than punch and put the gin in West Virginia.
Apple-achian Moonshine
For those that require a hands-off approach, Apple-achian Moonshine, or Crockpot Apple Pie Moonshine, may be the answer to your busy holiday season prayers. Not only is your work done in minutes, but it also makes a wonderful homemade gift. Having a pot of this warming on your kitchen counter while the wind tumbles off the West Virginia hills will warm your bones and make your house smell like an apple cinnamon dream. Serve it to your friends, sip it next to a bonfire or ladle it into pretty mason jars tied with ribbon to spread holiday warmth and cheer to anyone in need of a little housewarming themselves.
1 gallon apple cider
1 liter Everclear grain alcohol or your own West Virginia moonshine
3 cinnamon sticks
Pour the apple cider and cinnamon sticks into your Crockpot and cook on low for eight hours. Turn off the Crockpot and allow the cider to come to room temperature then add alcohol.
Note: For Apple-achian Moonshine, your Crockpot or other container for mixing must be at least five quarts. Ladle the mixture into mason jars or another serving container. The longer the mixture sits, the better it tastes. Please note: this is a strong adult beverage.
Mountaineer Margarita
As the holidays fade into the long, gray stretch of January and February, here’s a drink that will brighten your winter days and help you celebrate your chosen West Virginia team advancing to post-season play. A straight forward riff on the classic margarita, the Mountaineer Margarita gets its name from blueberries and gold tequila. When muddled together with fresh lime juice, it turns a shade of fuchsia you won’t be seeing again until your dahlias are blooming next summer. Paired with a salty rim and some queso dip, you’ll almost be able to close your eyes and imagine the snow falling outside is melting away into the ocean.
1 1/2 oz gold tequila
1 oz triple sec orange liqueur
1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
Handful of blueberries, fresh or frozen
Kosher salt and lime for garnish (optional)
On a paper towel or shallow plate, pour kosher salt and spread evenly. Rim your glass with the cut side of a fresh lime and roll the rim of the glass in the salt to coat.
Muddle your blueberries in your glass and add ice. Build your margarita with the remaining ingredients and garnish with a fresh lime slice.
Almost Heaven
Few things are more satisfying than kicking off your shoes after a long day at work and settling in by the fire, drink in hand. Your work is done, the sky is retreating into blue-black outside your window and dinner is quietly humming away in the oven. Sound familiar? If you’re looking for something a little less familiar for your happy hour, this Almost Heaven cocktail goes down easily and doesn’t get too fussy. Excellent with a pre-dinner nosh, it’s just sweet enough with a nutty kick and is the perfect thing to sip while you watch the flames flicker.
1 1/4 oz Absolut Kurant vodka
3/4 oz amaretto almond liqueur, such as Disaronno
3/4 oz Chambord raspberry liqueur
Splash of pineapple juice
Splash of cranberry juice
Build in a collins glass over ice.
West VirGINia Fizz
If you’re in charge of a winter shindig this season, be it Thanksgiving, a holiday party or New Year’s Eve, you need a drink that’s classic and sparkles on your tongue. A fruity red punchbowl mess will ensure stains on your guests’ clothes and belly aches to boot. For an elegant cocktail fit for a gathering, try your hand at our West VirGINia Fizz, also known as a Rosemary Gin Fizz. Clean, unique and just a tad on the savory side, you can drink it all night or serve it with small bites. Plus, if you spill it down Aunt Mary’s dress, no harm is done.
1 1/2 oz gin
3 oz club soda
1 tbsp rosemary simple syrup
Squeeze of lemon
In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a champagne flute and garnish. Alternatively, this cocktail may be built over ice in a collins glass. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and a slice of lemon (optional).
Rosemary Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
5 sprigs rosemary, lightly bruised with your fingers or a muddler
Add sugar and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring regularly with a wooden spoon until sugar is completely dissolved. Let the mixture boil and thicken until it evenly coats the back of your spoon then turn off the heat. Add rosemary and let sit until completely cooled. Strain the syrup into a jar and keep for all your cocktail needs.
Note: Simple syrup is a mixologist’s easiest and best weapon, especially when mixing drinks on ice. If you simply add sugar to your drink, you will find it tart on the top and saccharine sweet on the bottom because the sugar won’t dissolve evenly in the cold liquid. Not only is simple syrup the answer to this problem, but you can also flavor it almost any way you can imagine, taking your cocktails into uncharted territory. Here, we’ve steeped rosemary in it for a heady, woodsy flavor. You can just as easily use basil, cinnamon sticks, ginger, strawberries—your imagination is the limit. It works best if you make it in advance so it has time to steep and cool, then simply strain out the solids and get mixing.
Apple-achian Moonshine www.crockpotladies.com/crockpot-apple-pie-moonshine
Mountaineer Margarita www.wvutailgating.com/mountaineer-margarita-is-heavenly/#.VBNMN0t3tFI
Almost Heaven www.drinksmixer.com/drink809.html
West VirGINia Fizz www.cookieandkate.com/2011/rosemary-gin-fizz/
