A version of this article was first published on EcoCult.
Like blondes, summer cocktails only seem to have all the fun. Sure, they are fruity and fresh and often have tequila (which I’ve heard makes your clothes fall off). However, when the temperatures drop, the right cocktail will turn the scene from shivery and sad into warm and cozy. Yup, these brunettes have depth, character, and are fun to snuggle with.
COCKTAILS. I meant cocktails.
Anyway, I adapted the below recipe from Verses from My Kitchen for those of you who enjoy your drinks organic, fresh, and from locally sourced ingredients. Here are all the simple ingredients you’ll need to buy or have on hand:
Diplomatico rum: The reason why I like this rum is two-fold. First, it’s Venezuelan, like my fiancé. Second, it is the sixth liquor company in the world to attain the ISO 14001 certification for environmental awareness. Diplomático reclaims 100% of wastewater from its distillery, which is then converted into fertilizer for the sugar cane plants. The distillery recycles 100% of its solid waste and also participates in beach cleaning and tree planting. But that's not the only thing about it: Diplomatico is for those with good taste – the sustainability element is just a perk.
Urban Moonshine Citrus Digestive Bitters: Urban Moonshine’s Digestive Bitters are an update to traditional bitters formulas, made with certified organic ingredients, and gluten-free. It’s meant to help your digestion before or after meals, or to curb sugar cravings, but they can certainly also be used for cocktails! This one has ingredients like dandelion root and leaf, burdock root, orange peel, fennel seed, ginger root, and other plant ingredients. It’s carried at Whole Foods and other fancy food purveyors. You can also buy it online.
This fancy update of spiked cider is refreshing and a bit sweet. The honey instead of sugar gives it a smokier flavor that seems more appropriate for the season. Enjoy!
1. To make thyme simple syrup, combine 1 3/4 cups honey, 2 cups of water and 6 thyme sprigs in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring up to a boil and reduce to simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and place the syrup in the fridge to cool.
2. When the syrup is cool, place all the ingredients in a large pitcher or carafe with ice and stir. Fill glasses with crushed ice and fill. Place a sprig of thyme inside and put an apple wheel on the rim.
Alden is the founder of EcoCult--a showcase for all local, sustainable, eco-friendly, handmade, beautiful and interesting things. When not writing for EcoCult, she is dancing until dawn to electronic music, cooking, practicing yoga, wandering the streets of NYC, traveling, refining my photography, and freelance writing for various sites from Refinery29, LearnVest, xoJane, and more.
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