2022 Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 18 – Snowy Orchard. Feeling a bit like Ina Garten suggesting the inclusion of Kalamansi Citrus Vinegar in this mocktail recipe but it really is the best option if you can get your hands on it. If not, apple cider vinegar will suffice, in a pinch.
It’s Sober Sunday once again and this might be my favourite drink from the entire calendar. The Snowy Orchard Mocktail is proof that “alcohol-free” is definitely not synonymous with “flavour-free”. This concoction is the ideal balance of sweet, spicy, and acidic.
If your fridge doesn’t have a built-in crushed ice maker, you will need to put in a little sweat equity to smash up regular old cubes into fluffy mounds of crushed ice. But using a Lewis bag and mallet to smash the shit out of ice is half the fun of home bartending, in my view.
If you’re based here in Ottawa, you can source Kalamansi Citrus Vinegar locally at Jacobson’s in New Edinburgh. If you’re based elsewhere, look for it at a local gourmet food store and keep your fingers firmly crossed – or look to order online.
I love to use apple cider in cocktails but the flavour profile can become a bit trite over time. This recipe is a real departure from what you might expect in an apple cider drink and I couldn’t be happier with how turned out.
It’s hard to believe Christmas Day is only a week away. I hope you’ve done all your holiday shopping but if you still have a few names to cross off your list, I highly recommend you shop local and/or secondhand if you can.
If you’re in the Nation’s Capital and wondering where to go for those last-minute gifts, here are some of my favourites:
- For the gourmand: Chef’s Paradise
- For the home bartender: Kitchenalia
- For the decor lover: The Modern Shop
- For the fine jewellery lover: HOWARD Fine Jewellers
- For the vintage jewellery lover: True Bijoux
- For funny cards and stocking stuffers: JV Studios
- For the beauty/skincare addict: Ivonne Sanchez
- For the fashionista: Vincent
- For the dapper dude: Stomping Ground
- For the coffee addict: Little Victories
- For the bookworm: Perfect Books
- For the prettiest wrapping paper: Paper Papier
- For holiday florals: Bloomfields
- For lovely tableware: Pot & Pantry
This is by no means an exhaustive list – just a few spots I like to visit when I’m looking for a little something special.
This Snowy Orchard Mocktail is the perfect post-shopping treat to sip on – and you’ll still have all your faculties when it’s time to wrestle with some gift wrap. Personally, wrapping presents is one of my favourite parts of the season, I love to make the packaging just as beautiful as what’s inside, and it’s kind of like garnishing a cocktail, so that doesn’t hurt.
I hope you’ll join me on Instagram Stories tonight at 5 p.m. Eastern as I shake up this Snowy Orchard Mocktail!
Snowy Orchard Mocktail
Feeling a bit like Ina Garten suggesting the inclusion of Kalamansi Citrus Vinegar in this mocktail recipe but it really is the best option if you can get your hands on it. If not, apple cider vinegar will suffice, in a pinch.
- 1½ oz apple cider
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- ½ oz Kalamansi Citrus Vinegar
- 1 oz honey ginger rosemary syrup
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Garnish: apple fan
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 4 ” fresh ginger peeled and sliced
- ½ cup fresh rosemary sprigs
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Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
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Strain into a snifter filled with crushed ice.
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Top with additional crushed ice to create a mound.
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Garnish with apple fan.
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Combine honey, water, ginger, and rosemary sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit at room temperature until completely cool.
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Remove rosemary sprigs and ginger, store syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three weeks.
Yum yum. What a delicious option for sober Sunday!
The photos are stunning as well.
xo