Fall is officially upon us. Here in Reno, the weather has drastically shifted and there is a new scent in the air. With September over and October upon us, a plethora of new flavors shift into our minds as the leaves begin to change.
For me, The Italian Festival here in town marks the beginning of Fall. Being Italian myself, I always think of my grandparents and the way things used to be when I was growing up. Memories of family dinners and lots of cooking simmer into my mind. In Fall, I am always at my best in the kitchen. I'm swimming with memories of Halloween (a family favorite holiday)--- which in my family means lots of tasty treats, both savory and sweet. And thinking of Halloween always leads to thinking of Thanksgiving and all of the wondrous delights that come along with that.
Behind the bar, this translates to the use of rich spices, dark fruits and rustic vegetables. Today I began my decent into Fall by making one of my favorite Cocktail enhancing syrups, a combination of the Cherries that I brandied this summer and my most loved fruit of all, Pomegranates. I pour some of the left over juice from the Brandied Cherries and muddle in the seeds of two whole pomegranates along with some lemon zest. I add sugar, water, a splash of wine, cloves, cinnamon and fresh ground black pepper and let it simmer away. I call the syrup "Original Sin," something about the combination of Cherry and Pomegranate relates back to connotations found with the two fruits. When finished, this syrup lends a hand to many great Cocktails and can be versatile in many different flavor spectres and liquor combinations. Here are a couple examples:
Charlie & Eva (My Grandparents, if you were wondering)
1.5 oz Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
.5 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
.75 oz Original Sin Syrup
.75 oz Pumpkin Puree (I only use the fresh stuff)
.75 oz Egg Nog
Dry shake the entire mixture until frothy, then add ice to the tin and shake again, strain and served up in a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with some fresh grated Nutmeg
Rizzoli Red Rocks (My family name is Rizzoli and Rizzoli Red Rocks was the slogan for the trash company that we used to own and operate-- go figure, right?)
1.5 oz Vanilla Infused Vodka
.75 oz Amaretto
.5 oz Lemon Juice
Splash Soda
.5 oz Original Sin Syrup
.5 oz Cream
Build in order, over ice in a tall glass--- should be slightly layered and have the appearance of an Italian Soda
Garnish with a Lemon Twist
Leaves of Change (My Grandparents had a mining claim not far from Reno and as soon as fall hits, the Aspen Trees turn bright yellow,orange and red. I think you will find a likeness in the hue of this cocktail.)
1.5 oz Gin (I like Plymouth here)
.75 oz Yellow Chartreuse
.75 oz Campari
.75 oz Original Sin Syrup
.5 oz Lemon Juice
Give this a fast hard shake, double strain and serve up in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a Flamed Orange Zest
More Fall inspired cocktails to come...
