Three Fall Sips with The Brick
Well fall is almost officially here (Sept 22!) but if you're in Alberta chances are you saw snow yesterday (what the heck!?) so it's safe to say it feels like fall is already here. For me fall is all about keeping cozy, layering up and spending time slowing down and relaxing more. Today I'm sharing three fall sips that I think are perfect for keeping cozy indoors for the cooler fall days. My brass bar cart from The Brick is pretty much perfect for whipping up any drink - whether it's a batch of sangria, laying out the ingredients for a warming tumeric latte or getting the party going by serving up a gin + tonic with a twist! Read below for all of the (simple!) recipes....
Fall Sangria
If you know me you know that I LOVE sangria! I love sangria throughout the year but come autumn, I make a few changes to my usual recipe. In my summer sangria I'll usually use orange juice and a citrus soda but for the fall I like to infuse a few more fall flavours. The addition of apple cider and ginger ale are the perfect fall additions to this simple recipe. Here's what you need
1 cup orange juice
1 cup apple cider
1 litre ginger ale
1/2 cup Brandy
1 bottle red wine (don't get fancy here, the cheap stuff is juuust fine!)
Favourite fall fruit - think oranges, pears, plums + apples
I start by chopping up 1 orange, 1 plum, 1 apple and 2 pears and placing them in the bottom of my pitcher. Next I add in the 1/2 cup of brandy, 1 cup of orange juice and 1 cup of apple cider then top with the bottle of wine and give a stir. The hardest part now is just waiting. This sangria is best served the next day so if possible, make one day ahead then put covered in the fridge until you're ready to serve. At the very minimum, give it a few hours for the flavours to meld. When you're ready to serve pour the sangria into your glasses about 3/4 of the way then add ginger ale to top!
This sangria is great for entertaining - it's an easy make ahead recipe that's definitely a crowd pleaser!
Tumeric Latte
If you guys haven't hopped on the tumeric train yet I'm here to tell you, you're missing out! Tumeric has so many incredible health advantages including benefits for your immune system, digestion, skin, liver function and more. It's an incredibly powerful super food that is so beneficial to your diet. One of my favourite ways to get tumeric into my diet in the fall is through a tumeric latte or 'golden milk'. This recipe is so simple and customizable to your own tastes and preferences but here's what you need...
Milk of your choice
Tumeric
CInnamon
Ginger
Coconut Oil
Honey (or maple syrup, agave)
This recipe is all to taste but you start with your milk (about 1 cup for one serving) and place it in a saucepan on your stovetop. Add in about a tablespoon of tumeric (paste or powder), 1 teaspoon of ginger (grated), 2 teaspoons of coconut oil and cinnamon and sweetener to taste.
This 'latte' is an incredibly soothing drink that's perfect for cooler fall weather!
Above - Pawn Accent Table, The Brick
Gin + Pear Prosecco Cocktail
My last fall sip is a tasty fall cocktail with all of the flavours I love; an autumn gin + tonic with a twist. Pear is one of my favourite fall flavours so this drink is one of my faves. Here's what you'll need
Gin
Rosemary Sprigs
Pears (2-3)
Tonic
Sugar
Start by making a pear and rosemary simple syrup. Cut up two pears and place in a pan with a sprig of rosemary, 1 cup of sugar and one cup of water. On a medium heat let the sugar dissolve and the pears get soft and the mixture will become a thick syrup. Strain out the pear and rosemary and you've got simple syrup that you can keep sealed in the fridge for a few days (but once you try this cocktail, chances are it won't last!).
In a glass with ice, pour 1 (or 2!)oz gin and top with tonic. Add in simple syrup to taste and stir. Garnish with pear and rosemary and you've got yourself a fancy fall gin + tonic. Cheers!
