Seasonal Cocktail: Harvest Punch

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

-George Eliot

Though I live in California, I would argue that there are four distinct seasons. They are (in order),

• Pre-summer
• Summer
• Post-Summer
• Cold Summer

Though this state is still dry enough that the trees bribe the dogs, and it's hotter than the average surface temperature of the sun, we're still a solid month and a half into Post-Summer. In any other state, Post-Summer (have you figured it out yet? It's Fall. Or Autumn. I don't know what's the better, more accurate answer) is full of colored leaves, cooler temperatures, foggy mornings, cozy drinks, and comfort foods.

In California, it's five degrees cooler than summer, and I still walk around in shorts, sandals, with a beer in hand and stand at a grill. Good times.

But in honor of what this season is supposed to be around the country, I present to you a tasty Autumnal cocktail I've been making lately. I give you, the Harvest Punch.
We threw a party a week ago for the girlfriend's birthday, and needed a fall drink to celebrate. Weeks prior, I had mashed a bunch of things together, and thought it was pretty tasty. It stuck, and then we needed a name. I argued that we didn't need to name it, and then I remembered that it would be pretty stupid to write this article and just call it "FALL DRINK". So hey, Harvest Punch it is. Kudos to the girlfriend for figuring that one out.

Cranberries and apples are two great fall ingredients, so I wanted to have them in there as fresh, bright flavors. I use fresh-pressed real apple cider (put down the Mott's, you kindergartner) and a seasonal soda, Cranberry Sierra Mist, for a nice touch of fizz. Mixed with butterscotch schnapps for a nice sweetness, and Cinnamon Whiskey for a nice spicy heat, you've got yourself a cocktail that pretty much sums up the season.

Acquire the following:

Is that a bottle of Fireball wearing a swea-- YEAH SO WHAT YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT?

• 2 parts cinnamon whiskey

• 1 part butterscotch schnapps

• 3 parts fresh apple cider 

• Cranberry soda (pour to liking)

• Apple slice (optional, garnish)

• CInnamon sugar (optional, garnish)

• Cinnamon stick (optional, garnish)

First put ice in your glass (4 cubes? hell, I don't know), and fill with 2 parts whiskey; stir. Pour 1 part butterscotch schnapps, then add 3 parts apple cider. So help me god, but down that juice box. You're a grown adult; act like one. Stir again, and top with cranberry soda. I usually put about 1 part in, but hey, you're the king of your cocktail. Add as much as you want. Garnish with apple and a cinnamon stick if you're feeling overly festive. Or even get cinnamon sugar on the rim! That sounds fancy! But let's be honest, by the third one of these, you're probably not going to care about how it looks. 

I... I think I love you.

You could also put all of this (minus the soda) into a shaker, and do it that way. Come to think of it, that might be even easier.

Another note: if cinnamon whiskey isn't your thing, I've found that amaretto is pretty fantastic, too. If anything, it's a little sweet, but still great in a pinch.

Sample it, savor it, and realize how easy it would be to keep shuttling those things back. They're easy to drink, delicious, and have some great seasonal ingredients. Scale the recipe as needed, and get ready to party! Ugly sweater is optional.

Enjoy! - AC

Harvest Punch

Cocktail Recipe from Scott McDonald (Average Cook)

• 2 parts cinnamon whiskey

• 1 part butterscotch schnapps

• 3 parts fresh apple cider 

• Cranberry soda (pour to liking)

• Apple slice (optional, garnish)

• CInnamon sugar (optional, garnish)

• Cinnamon stick (optional, garnish)

If desired, rim glass with cinnamon/sugar mixture. Add whiskey, butterscotch schnapps, and apple cider to glass (or shaker) with ice. Stir (or shake). Add cranberry soda to your liking. Garnish with apple and cinnamon stick. Possible substitutions: amaretto instead of the whiskey, cranberry cocktail instead of the soda, etc.