Christmas mixers: Thomasina Miers’ recipes for fire cider and spiced cocktail syrup
Despite being known for shaking a cocktail on Instagram now and again, very little will induce me to last-minute cocktailery if I am entertaining a serious number of guests,However, a good drinks recipe that you can prep in advance is a lovely thing to dazzle your friends with and to gift over Christmas,With or without alcohol, this pair look good and taste delicious, and should help everyone ease into the December festivities,This makes a delicious base to which you can add soda, juice, tonic or any other mixer for a thirst-quenching and delicious alternative to an alcoholic drink in the evening,Prep 15 minInfuse 1 week+ Makes 500ml bottleFor the fire cider2 jalapeños, finely sliced seeds and all1 large thumb of ginger, peeled and finely sliced2 branches fresh rosemary1 cinnamon stick3 heaped tbsp honey2 garlic cloves, peeled1 thumb turmeric, peeled and finely sliced (optional)350ml apple cider vinegarFor the cranberry fizz (serves 1)30ml fire cider 75ml cranberry juice1 wedge of orange Sparkling water, to topMix all the ingredients for the fire cider in a sterilised 500ml jar, then put in the fridge for at least week, and preferably three to extract the most goodness from the ingredients.
Strain the liquid, discard the solids, then transfer the liquid to a sterilised 500ml bottle or jar and put in the fridge, where it will sit happily for at least three months,To serve, either top with sparkling water or make a cranberry fizz by pouring 30ml fire cider and 75ml cranberry juice into a highball glass,Fill the glass with ice, push in the orange wedge and top with sparkling water,The spiced syrup adds a lovely aromatic lilt to a classic negroni, although I confess I always replace gin with the far less melancholic mezcal these days,It’s also wonderful with prunes, particularly if you add a decent slug of oloroso.
Prep 5 min Cook 10 minInfuse 30 min Makes 500ml bottleFor the spiced syrup 200g demerara sugar 300ml water 1 small cinnamon stick 3 clovesZest of 2 orangesFor the spiced mezcal negroni (serves 1)25ml Campari 25ml red vermouth 25ml mezcal 10ml spiced syrup A couple of large ice cubes Flamed orange peel, to garnish (optional)To make the spiced syrup, put the sugar and 300ml water in a small saucepan with the cinnamon stick and cloves.Add the orange zest and simmer until the sugar has dissolved.Turn off the heat and leave to infuse for 30 minutes.Transfer to a 500ml sterilised jar – the syrup will now keep for weeks in the fridge.To make the negroni, measure out the booze and syrup, and stir over ice.
Pour into a rocks glass filled with a giant ice cube and serve with a flash of flamed orange peel,
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