H
Holiday
The holidays are here! It’s the best and worst time of the year in a way. People are bombarded with reminders of the upcoming holidays but also the sadness that can come with them. I feel this time of the year is mostly about reflection—particularly within yourself.
One moment I’d like to touch on is my Christmas in 2021 or lack thereof. I didn’t spend Christmas with my family that year due to recovery for my hand. It was horrible. I had never missed a Christmas before, and I had to face the bleakness of Christmas without family. Maybe, if I wasn’t such a family-oriented person like some of my peers, Christmas alone would have been easy. It wasn’t. I felt this loneliness only relative on holidays. It’s almost like life feels meaningless at that point. You look out the window and see children, wives, husbands and partners outside in joyous nature. You see people driving around with cars covered in bows. The building is quiet as everyone has left to spend their special days with family. The only glimmer of light you have is the small Christmas tree in the corner along with a few gifts shipped to you. Despite the tree, It was a dark time; and, it taught me the real value of family even more. Sometimes family just needs to be present to make life meaningful again. Sometimes you just need a sip of whiskey and a fireplace video on loop to ease yourself as well.
“Holiday”
ingredients
the drink
2oz bourbon (I used High West for testing)
1 1/2oz apple-flavored brandy (I used Laird’s for the final)
1oz cinnamon simple syrup
2 dashes of angostura bitters of choice
garnish with a cinnamon stick
Strawberry Simple Syrup
1 cinnamon stick
1c raw sugar
2 1/4c water
Helpful items:
cocktail shaker
measuring jigger
medium sauce pot
a glass
measuring cups
recipe (cinnamon simple syrup):
In a medium size pot, pour in sugar and set to medium-low. Allow sugar to slowly cook for 4-5 minutes then immediately add water. Continually whisk until sugar has fully dissolved in water. Turn off heat. Add cinnamon stick into pot ensuring it is submerged as possible. Set pot away from heat and allow to cool for 30-35 minutes. Pour simple syrup into a measuring cup. Transfer from measuring cup into a container. Use cinnamon stick for drink or a tasty treat to suck!
recipe (the drink):
In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, cinnamon simple syrup and brandy. Shake. Shake again. Shake one more time. Pour into a glass with a light amount of ice or one singular cocktail ice cube. Add a few dashes of angostura bitters on top. Add cinnamon stick for garnish. Enjoy!
BONUS: If you have a cocktail smoker, you should pull it out and make this a bit smokey. It definitely adds another layer of flavor to this already delicious holiday drink with apple wood.
