Early Autumn

September 26, 2010 (Day 239) — Early Autumn

1.5 oz. gin

1/2 oz. absinthe

1 oz. local apple cider

1/2 oz. brandy

1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

2 dashes bitters

Ginger beer

cinnamon stick for garnish

lemon peel for garnish

Pour all your ingredients except the ginger beer into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly for 30 seconds until nice and chilled, then strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with ginger beer, then garnish with cinnamon and lemon slice.

Powerful. It hearkens to all the fall flavors you’ve become so familiar with, yet has a pungent punch from the ginger beer. Powerful, not for the week of heart, but unbelievably excellent. A perfect autumnal drink.