Hot Apple Cider Toddy

For today's Thirsty Thursday I will be sharing my recipe for a Hot Apple Cider Toddy.  Traditionally this is made with warm milk instead of Apple Cider, and in the past people would drink this before bed, or to help remedy a cold.  Nowadays we know that alcohol doesn't do much for helping ward off an infection, because it dehydrates our bodies too much.  So I thought making this with Apple Cider instead would make this a great drink for the cold winter months ahead.  

Ingredients:

- a shot of whiskey

- Apple Cider

- a Cinnamon stick 

- 2 -3 whole cloves

- a dash of ground nutmeg

- a tablespoon of honey

Directions:

Heat enough apple cider for one drink in a small sauce pan, and add the cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and ground nutmeg.  

In a glass (an irish coffee glass would be nice, but I don't own any) coat the bottom with the honey, and then pour the shot of whiskey over it.  Once the apple cider has warmed to the desired temperature, about 3 -5 minutes, pour into the glass.  You can keep the cloves, and cinnamon stick for in for garnish.  Stir and enjoy.  

Happy Thirsty Thursday, chris!  

Pineapple Whiskey Bottom

Happy Turkey Day and Thirsty Thursday!  Today I have an unusually tasty cocktail for ya'll, a Pineapple Whiskey Bottom.  

Ingredients:

- a shot of Whiskey or Bourbon

- a splash of Simple Syrup

- 1/4 cup Pineapple Juice

- 2 maraschino cherries, plus a little juice

- Club Soda

Directions:

Using a tall glass pour in the whiskey, syrup, and pineapple juice.  Add the desired amount of ice, and add the maraschino cherries with a teensy bit of juice from the jar.  Fill the glass with club soda, stir and enjoy.  

I know this might sound like a strange combination to some, but it's absolutely delicious.  I made my hubby taste it, and he has a much lower tolerance for weird drinks than me, and he even said it was yummy.  The pineapple complements the whiskey perfectly.  I do suggest using a high quality alcohol though.  I'm not so sure this would taste so great with say Old Granddad.  

Hope ya'll are enjoying your holiday, and happy Thirsty Thursday!

Irish Coffee

We bought a new coffee maker this week so I had to enjoy an Irish Coffee for today's Thirsty Thursday.  

Ingredients:

- a splash of whiskey

- a tablespoon of sugar

- a tablespoon of milk

- coffee

Directions: 

Brew some coffee.  However much you'd like, and at the same strength you normally drink.  While it's brewin' grab a mug and pour in the whiskey, sugar, and milk.  When the coffee is done pour it in, stir and enjoy.  

The better the whiskey the better this drink will taste.  Flavored creamer can be fun to experiment with too.  Hope you enjoy, and happy Thirsty Thursday, chris! 

John Collins

Today I wanted to try another whiskey cocktail, and I found a recipe for a John Collins.  Closely related to the Tom Collins but with whiskey instead of gin.  

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 shots of whiskey

- 1 shot of simple syrup

- the juice of half a small lemon

- club soda

- tangerine wedge

Directions:

In a glass pour in the whiskey, syrup, and squeeze in the lemon juice.  Drop a few ice cubes in, and pour the club soda in.  Top with an orange wedge or tangerine, because those are in seasonish.  I squeezed a little orange juice in there too for an extra citrus note.

Stir and enjoy.  Great flavor.  Not sure if it would be more fitting as a spring/summer drink, but it works as a summer into fall transition drink fo' sure.  Though it's been cold the past few days, so I guess fall is in full effect, and I'll have to start thinking about winter!  Well have a good night, and enjoy your Thirsty Thursday, chris.  

Old Fashioned Cocktail

I've been wanting to try an old fashioned for some time, but for some reason whenever I go to a bar I forget to order one.  This past weekend Aaron received some Maker's Mark 46 as a groom's men gift.  So what better time to try it out for myself?  I had all the ingredients but the bitters.  I more or less followed this recipe on Snackish. 

Ingredients:

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- 1 teaspoon water

- a couple dashes of bitters

- ice cubes

- 2 shots of whisky

- lemon rind

- maraschino cherries

Directions:

Measure out the sugar, water, and bitters into a tumbler.  Stir together until there is no tomorrow.  Make sure the sugar is completely dissolved.  Add ice.  Pour in the whisky. 

Arrange the cherries and lemon rind on a toothpick, and stir the drink.  Enjoy.  

Now to be honest I went a little crazy with the bitters, and I also added some lemon juice, so it was rather sour.  Next time I would barely add any bitters, it's a weird flavor.  A bit strong for my taste.  Definitely glad I tried this out, since it's one of the oldest cocktails out there.  This cocktail is pretty much what all others were spawned out of.  Or so I heard on the internet somewhere.  :)  

Have a great night, and happy DIYing, chris!