This fall cocktail recipe doubles as an unofficial Election Night cocktail. My unofficial name for this unofficial Election Night cocktail is #ImWithHerbs. (Or you can use its alternate name from Facebook fan Alison Weber: Pundit Punch!) Because no matter who you’re voting for, I think we all can agree that Tuesday is going to be pretty intense and puns are the best.

More bubbly goodness: Mango Habanero IPA Shandy, Sour Watermelon Shandy

Smoky sage, sweet hard apple cider, and herbal gin with a squeeze of lime work beautifully together in this drink. Serve it in a tall glass with a sprig of sage and a slice of apple or some leftover lime as your garnish.

Smoked cocktails are starting to pop up on bar menus, and to make them, bartenders use a special smoker doohickey to add a hint of smoky flavor to your drink. It’s really cool. It’s also out of reach for most home cooks, but you don’t need a doohickey to make this hard apple cider cocktail.

Instead, I’m using a trick that I learned from Tales of the Cocktail. It’s really cool, and anyone with a lighter or a gas stove can do it.

To smoke this hard apple cider cocktail, you take a sprig of sage, and toast it like a marshmallow. I did this by holding it with tongs over a burner on my stove. When it’s smoking nicely, put it on a small plate, and place your glass over the smoking herb. If you’re doing a bunch of these, just get a batch of glasses smoking, and you’re ready to roll.

Smoked sage felt right for an Election Night cocktail, because after this election season, I definitely feel like I need to cleanse. Sage smudging is an ancient ritual to cleanse your life of negativity, and burning sage for this drink gives the house that same lingering, smoky, herbal smell that you get from sage smudging.

I am using Angry Orchard Stone Dry Hard Cider, which I chose because it’s not overly sweet, it’s vegan, and it’s available in most grocery stores. A lot of hard ciders are vegan, but not all. Some of Angry Orchard’s ciders even aren’t, so definitely check Barnivore before you shop, so you’ll know your options.

Republished with permission from Glue & Glitter.

The post Smoked Sage Hard Apple Cider Fall Cocktail appeared first on Chic Vegan.

While I love simplicity in my meals, I can’t help but fancy up foods, too. It takes just a few brief moments to make additions that will enhance without complication. The resulting foods exemplify easy gourmet. For example, smearing plain ‘ol vegan mayo on my sandwiches is just plain boring. I’d rather add flavoring agents like this fabulous combo: minced garlic, fresh herbs, and smoked paprika. Yum! And, vegetable broth is great to flavor food with, but broth and mirepoix are better. No matter what I have in my fridge, I can upgrade my hummus with something amazing; a touch of hot sauce, pureed beets, minced garlic, or chopped olives puts a fun twist on a simple hummus and veggie sticks snack.

One of my autumnal favorites is apple cider, preferably purchased straight from the farmer’s market stand. Unpasteurized, bold and earthy, slight-hint-of-ferment goodness. I’ll drink it any which way, but I love warming up a cup for a post-dinner treat. When I want an extra special treat for myself, or if I’m hosting guests, I’ll upgrade it. I love to simmer warming spices in the cider and top it off with a generous pour of full-fat coconut milk.

Coconut, in its versatility, may evoke memories of sipping on the water straight from the nut as a beachside beverage or indulging in a rich bowl of creamy curry that takes the bite of winter away. Therefore, coconut milk is a lovely addition to celebrate the change of seasons. This Hot Spiced Coconut Apple Cider is a favorite of those who have tried it. It’s a sweet, comforting drink that will cap off a chilly fall night in the perfect way.

Hot Spiced Coconut Apple Cider

Ingredients

• ½ gallon of apple cider
• 1 1/3 cups full-fat coconut milk
• 1-inch piece of ginger root, sliced thinly
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• cinnamon sticks, to garnish

Preparation

In a large pot, bring the apple cider to a simmer. Add in the spices and ginger root. Stir. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Add in the coconut milk and whisk to incorporate. Simmer on low for a few more minutes.
Strain the cider to remove the ginger pieces, and then pour back into the pot.
Ladel the apple cider into mugs, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and serve.
Enjoy!

*Tip: If you don’t serve immediately, make sure to give it a stir to distribute the spices before serving.

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