Hey there folks, it's been a while! Come in from the cold neglect I've been offering of late, and into a warm boozy embrace. People love talking about the weather, don't they? So the next time somebody comes up to you wanting to discuss the astonishing phenomenon know as changing weather, shut their small-talk down with a nice cozy beverage.
While most good Albertans know there are truly only two seasons, Winter and Summer; there is still a Fall, or Autumn if you're feeling fancy, that may arguably still be present. Some may say that the ship has sailed! Those people have failed to recognize that some of us have a hard time maintaining regular blog posting schedules, and would like to take advantage of technicalities to give them more material to compensate for their lack of creativity!
Never fear though, many of the staple Fall flavours are still pretty interchangable with Winter. We start to see some more robustly sweet late harvest flavours like apple, pumpkin, and even rhubarb and peach if you get creative. Spices are also a great way to get into the season, and your typical winter spices like nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, allspice or even a basic like pepper is going to become increasingly more welcome.
Today's is no exception, so get in tune with your inner basic white-girl, because it's pumpkin spice time. Sangrias are another easily tweak-able beverage so feel free to play around a bit. You have lots of room to play with white wines for instance. You'll probably find a nice well-rounded result with a Sauvignon Blanc or a Riesling, but something like a Moscato can lend a sweeter, easier drinking tone. Use a red wine for all I care, but do what you and your potential guests are going to enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Sangria
- 1 bottle white wine
- 3 oz bourbon
- 1.5 oz Cointreau
- 2 oz maple syrup
- 1.5 cups apple cider
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
- 4 oz pumpkin puree (if you can find/make it)
- Cinnamon sticks, apple/orange slices, and nutmeg for garnish
Like, dump all the liquid stuff in a big container/pitcher, pour that sweet, sweet pumpkin spice in and stir it up like Bob Marley, bitches! Then you can throw in your fruit slices, and if you have any self-control whatsoever (you don't), let it stew in the fridge for 2+ hours... or just immediately serve that in a glass with ice and a cinnamon stick, grind up some fresh nutmeg on top, and snap Sally that shit. She's going to be jelly af.