Saturday, December 31, 2011

"Apple Ginger Cheer" -- NYE Drink Edition



Oh, 2011. We all have so much to say about it, huh? Some of us had a fantabulous year. Some of us had a dreadful year. From what I see, you were either on one side of the fence or the other. There was no "so-so year." There was no gray area. You were all in or you folded that hand a long time ago. Either way, I am sure we all can grab a glass and toast 2011 goodbye. Whether it's a "See ya, asshole," or it's a "Gosh, I hope 2012 is just as phenomenal." Either way, tip it up and smile. We are on to so many big things this year. Let's rock 2012. Cheers!



So, I had some leftover apple cider from Christmas. Shame for that goodness to go to waste. Plus, it's just too tasty! New Year's Eve. Let's add alcohol to it! I had some apples in the house...had some vodka in the house from Christmas White Russians (damn, the vodka always outlasts the Kahlua, doesn't it?). I thought, "How can I make a fun, festive drink for NYE? Instead of just adding vodka to a juice, or apple cider in this case, let's do something a little more exciting! Listen up!





























You have to peel ginger. And, by all means, when you go to the grocery store to buy ginger, please go ahead and break off what you need! It's okay. ;) I take a spoon and peel mine. Just scrape the spoon along the outer skin of the ginger and it peels off. For this recipe, don't worry if you can't get it all. Sometimes those knobs are hard to scrape. Just do the best you can.
























Next, chop the ginger up a bit so it can steep in your simple syrup.





















Put 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water and your ginger into a small sauce pan on the stove. Heat to a hard boil, remove from heat and let the ginger steep, or sit, in the sugar water for at least 30 minutes. By the way, if you have extra ginger, don't worry! Peel that up too and put into a plastic baggie and store in your freezer!















































Okay, strain or remove your chunks of ginger from your simple syrup. Add the syrup to a pitcher with 3 cups of cider (apple juice works fine), 1.5 cups club soda, and 1.5 cups vodka. Stir and chill. Can be shaken and served straight up or poured over ice. Garnish with apple slices. Either way, you will have fun with this festive, flavorful, fun drink. Not too girly, either. ;) The men will thank you!!!

Happy New Year, my friends. I wish you well. Now, go get cookin'! Or drinkin'! CHEERS!


































Recipe Card:

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
2-3 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
3 cups apple cider (or good apple juice)
1.5 cups club soda
1.5 cups vodka
apple slices for garnish
ice, for shaking or for pouring over

2 comments:

b3achg1rl said...

This sounds great. Just like all of your recipes!!! Happy new year!!!!

Shannon D. Gregory said...

It was good! Went quick last night!