A Toast to the Last Day of Summer: Greeting the Autumnal Equinox with Spiced, Heirloom Apple Cider Martinis…
Spiced Apple Cider Martini with Dolgo Crab Apple and Cinnamon Stick Garnish
Farewell to summer! The autumnal equinox will occur at 3:09 am UTC (GMT) on September 23rd this year. So —depending upon where you live—autumn will officially begin sometime this evening, September 22nd, or in the wee hours of September 23rd. Here in New England, fall will begin at 11:09 PM EDT. Coincidentally, the Harvest Moon will be full tomorrow, on the first day of autumn. Yesterday evening, I caught the beautiful, glowing orb, just as it rose –nearly full— above the treetops at twilight. Oh, what a beauty…
The Nearly-Full, Harvest Moon…
As if in anticipation of a grand, autumn party, the northeastern fields and forests have already begun to change into traditional fall costume, greeting the equinox with the all the rich hues and glorious textures of the season. Fall truly is my favorite time of the year, but it always seems to pass too quickly. So, I try to soak up as much natural beauty as I can, taking daily walks through local fields and forests, and my own woodland trails here at Ferncliff. Below are some highlights from sunset strolls this week…
Colorful Maple Leaf on the Forest Floor
A Bleached Hayscented Fern in Late Afternoon Light
A Colorful Ash Seedling
Maple Leaves in a Natural Pool
A Meadow of Native Bluestem
I began my week with a visit to Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont (see my post about this beautiful Vermont orchard by clicking here). In anticipation of the autumnal equinox, I decided to pick up some heirloom apple cider, and create spiced-apple martinis; the perfect cocktail to celebrate autumn’s arrival. Heirloom apples have such delightful colors, textures and flavors; ranging in hue from light gold to deepest violet and varying in taste from tartest-of-tart to honey-sweet. A walk through an old orchard is one of the greatest early autumn pleasures I know…
Apple Orchard – Scott Farm, Dummerston, Vermont
The Orchard at Scott Farm
Zeke Goodband’s Heirloom Apple Cider, Lemon and Warm Spices
Zeke Goodband’s apple cider is the best I have ever tasted, and it makes the most delicious base for an autumnal twist on the traditional apple-martini. The golden color of this cocktail is beautifully enhanced by the addition of a pretty, ruby-red, heirloom Dolgo crabapple garnish. Of course, if Dolgo crabapples are nowhere to be found, any tiny red apple —or slice dipped in lemon juice— will do. But, if you prefer a non-alcholic drink, travel back to my post on hot mulled apple cider, another delicious way to enjoy this fruit of the season!
Enjoy the last, golden hours of summer, and the beautiful season of autumn yet to come…
Cheers!
Spiced Heirloom Apple Cider Martini
Ingredients for 2 Cocktails (multiply or divide to suit):
4 ounces heirloom apple cider
4 ounces excellent quality, ice-cold vodka
2 ounces excellent quality brandy (apple brandy if you like)
2 ounces orange liquor
1 ounce fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks and/or 1 tsp freshly ground cinnamon (optional)
2 tsp artisan honey
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a jar and cover.* Shake well to mix before serving. When ready to serve, pour the mixture into a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake and pour into 2 chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a crab apple (or slice of apple) and a cinnamon stick. Serve.
*The basic cocktail may be mixed a few hours ahead (in a large jar) if serving cocktails at a party. Keep well chilled and shake cocktails in ice individually before serving.
Spiced Heirloom Apple Martini
The last, golden days of summer – A meadow of native bluestem
Sunset in a Meadow of Wild Bluestem
September’s Harvest Moon…
You may also enjoy last year’s Autumnal Equinox post and the Vintage Rose Cocktail. Click here…
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Article and photographs â“’ 2010 Michaela at TGE
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