This month, Progressive Eats is hosting a virtual cocktail party in celebration of Barb’s 3rd year of Cocktail Friday! Join us for appetizers, libations, and dessert and find out my thoughts on bourbon…
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I’m not normally a bourbon girl. In fact, I’ve only ever ordered bourbon cocktails three times in my life.
The first time it was a special at a place that isn’t exactly known for mixed drinks, but it sounded too good not to try. It was called a Northern Spy, and it was a combination of bourbon, apricot brandy, and lemon juice. To my surprise, I actually like it a lot.
The second time, was a complete accident. I was at a fancy-pants speakeasy that didn’t stock any mainstream brands (they’re way too cool for that.) Since I didn’t recognize any of the liquor names, I took a gamble and chose my drink based on the other ingredients – boy was that first sip a surprise! It wan’t my favorite, but it wasn’t totally awful either. It grew on me as I drank more. I don’t remember the details but I’m pretty sure it involved ginger beer and lemon juice. (Being a speakeasy, they don’t exactly put the menu online.)
The third time was this past summer. After having several sips of Shawn’s drink, I decided to order my own. It was basically a Manhattan topped with ginger beer and I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m pretty sure I made him finish it for me.
This month, we’re hosting a cocktail party for Progressive Eats and I really wanted to make something different.
This fall, one of my favorites has been apple cider mixed with white rum that I infuse with candied ginger and whole cardamom pods. It’s refreshing and delicious. I almost posted that, but then I remembered liking the Northern Spy a lot, so I decided to play with that idea.
The sweetness of the apricot liqueur and tartness of the fresh lemon juice balances out the bourbon really well and takes away most of its bite. The original recipe is topped with sparkling wine, but I decided to take a cue from the other drink that I sort of liked and top mine with ginger beer instead. Apple cider + ginger beer + lemon juice is definitely a winning combination.
Served super cold over ice, it just might make a bourbon drinker out of me after all.
Northern Spy {Cider, Ginger, and Bourbon Cocktail}
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Amount Per Serving
Calories 184
Appetizers
Smoked Salmon Roses with Endive and Creme Fraiche
Pepper Jelly and Brie Phyllo Cups
Beverages
Orange Pomegranate Moscato Cocktail
Desserts
Simply Caramel Chocolate Turnovers
Maple Cream Snickerdoodle Bars
Progressive Eats is our virtual version of a progressive dinner party. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats, a theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out.
We have a core group of 12 bloggers, but we will always need substitutes and if there is enough interest would consider additional groups. To see our upcoming themes and how you can participate, please check out the schedule at Creative Culinary or contact Barb for more information.
GIVEAWAY!! This month’s theme is a Cocktail Party celebrating Creative Culinary’s 3rd year of Friday Cocktails. Be sure to hop over to Barb’s post where she is giving away a gorgeous wine bottle opener to one of our Progressive Eats readers.
Boyd Kobe says
02/24 at 1:04 pmThat sounds like a delicious drink! Definitely, want to give this a try. cheers!
Lauren Keating says
11/03 at 9:06 pmoh yeah, I don’t think it would be very good at all without the apricot – it definitely balances flavor and adds sweetness. I usually use dekuyper apricot brandy liqueur.
Nutmeg Nanny says
10/31 at 7:51 amI love these Progressive Eats parties! So much fun! I have 2 of these mule mugs and I love them. They keep my drink super cold. Also cider + bourbon + ginger = amazing!
Kim Beaulieu says
10/30 at 11:58 pmVery cool recipe, I’m not a big drinker but there’s something so tempting and sexy about bourbon.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
10/30 at 10:06 pmOh yes – this is for me! My parents had those tumblers…almost exact minus the handles!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
10/30 at 9:07 pmDelish. I might be going a bit crazy…but, this might make a good marinade too. I love bourbon on salmon!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
10/30 at 9:05 pmSounds delish…and I may be going crazy, but it might be good as a marinade too with a bit of adjustment. I love salmon marinated in bourbon.
Melanie says
10/30 at 7:48 pmThis is the perfect cocktail for fall. Love the addition of apricot liqueur.
Dan from Platter Talk says
10/30 at 7:45 pmWhat a perfect fall drink! Putting this one on our agenda, Friday night. Thanks so much for sharing!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
10/30 at 2:35 pmI’m new to bourbon and I love it lately. I wished I was introduced to it sooner! This looks wonderful.
Kelly @ TastingPage says
10/30 at 12:28 pmThis is my kind of drink and the cup is the icing on the pretty cocktail cake!
Rose | The Clean Dish says
10/30 at 6:52 amI love bourbon cocktails!! My parents make something very similar to this and it so reminds me of home! Great recipe!!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
10/29 at 9:05 pmWe have a modern style speak-easy around here too that is all fancy pants. I haven’t been yet but I imagine they’d have cocktails like this! Simple but delicious. Cannot wait to give it a whirl!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
10/29 at 5:54 pmWhat a fab list of ingredients. This looks like a keeper to me. And of course soooo perfect for autumn. I especially like the apricot zing.
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
10/29 at 4:02 pmSounds amazing and refreshing!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
10/29 at 3:03 pmThose mugs are so neat! And what a cozy sounding cocktail. 🙂
Paula - bell'alimento says
10/29 at 2:10 pmI love anything with ginger beer!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
10/29 at 2:00 pmTHOSE MUGS, OMG!!!
Lauren says
10/29 at 2:34 pmI got them for a song at Homegoods and I’m in love. They kept these so icy cold!
Lana@NeverEnoughThyme says
10/29 at 11:56 amThis is an absolutely perfect cocktail for the Fall season and a great addition to our Progressive Eats menu for this month. Wonderful!
The Food Hunter says
10/29 at 11:43 amgreat mugs!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
10/28 at 8:03 pmI am actually quite a fan of bourbon!! This recipe sounds fabulous, sweet and spicy and tangy! YUM!
Jenni says
10/28 at 7:34 pmI’m not a huge cocktail drinker either, Lauren, but this guy is fabulous! Love the flavor combo. =)
Ansh says
10/28 at 3:03 pmExquisite looking drink!! I could put my feet up and sip a few of those.
Jennifer Farley says
10/28 at 12:09 pmI’m not sure why but drink recipes are always out of my comfort zone. I’d much rather make drink recipes created by others. This sounds amazing.
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
10/28 at 11:21 amThe Apricot Liqueur is totally calling me name! This looks like such a wonderful cocktail for a party!!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
10/28 at 8:35 amLove the ginger beer in your festive fall cocktail!
Liz says
10/28 at 6:51 amWhat a perfect autumn cocktail! I’m not a big bourbon drinker, but the other ingredients balance the flavor nicely…and I’d be happy to sip this lovely beverage!