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Lynsey Lou's

Enjoying Life One Bite at a Time!

Cocktails

Irish Coffee

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I am a coffee person.  I mean, I have to have at least one cup of coffee every morning to get me up and going.  Most of the time I’ll add a splash of half and half and a little sugar and I’m a happy girl.  I don’t need a whole lot of extras in my coffee, but it is fun to change it up from time to time.

Sometimes I’ll use a flavored creamer, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or just go full force and make it Irish.  While Bailey’s has done a terrific job with their line of creamers, giving you all the taste without the alcohol making it a perfect option for your morning cup of joe, there are times where you need the real deal.  Just a little splash of something to take the edge off.  And when that time comes, it’s time for a delicious cup of Irish coffee.

So whether it’s been a long day and you need to take the edge off or you just want a little relaxing, after dinner drink to sip on, Irish coffee is an easy and ideal option.  There’s nothing better than a strong brewed cup of coffee, sweetened with a touch of brown sugar, and stiffened up with a shot of Irish whiskey.  But, the part I love most about this coffee is how you drink it.  Instead of stirring in your cream, you actually float the cream in the coffee and then add a healthy dab of whipped cream and you drink the coffee through the cream and whipped cream.  I couldn’t imagine any better way to end the day.

So whether you’re looking to unwind after a delicious St. Paddy’s meal or needing to take the edge off, make this Irish coffee this St. Patrick’s day or any day you need a little change up from your traditional coffee.

Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

1 Cup of your favorite coffee
1-2 Tbsp brown sugar, depending on your sweetness preference
1 Oz Irish whiskey
2 Tbsp cream or half and half
2-3 Tbsp fresh whipped cream
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

Brew your favorite coffee.  Add brown sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.  Add whiskey and stir to incorporate.  Holding a spoon over the coffee, rounded side up, slowly pour the cream or half and half allowing the cream to float throughout the coffee, do not stir.  Top with fresh whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Do not stir the cream or whipped cream into the coffee, drink the coffee through the whipped cream.

* To make this a mock Irish coffee, omit the cream and whiskey and use your favorite flavor of Bailey’s creamer.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Cinnamon Hard Cider

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Crisp, cool air, pumpkins, apples and apple cider are synonymous with this time of year.  Once I get the first hint of cool air my brain instantly starts to think about warm, cozy, comfort foods.  And one of the first flavor combinations that comes to mind is apples and cinnamon.  Any time I get a hint of the combination of sweet, crisp apples and warm cinnamon it just makes me feel all warm and cozy.

I love anything involving apples, so needless to say hard cider is one of my favorite drinks and has been for quite some time.  This first time I tried hard cider I tried the Woodchuck brand and I’ve been stuck on that until this year.  When I went to the store recently to pick up some cider they were out of my “go to” brand so I decided to branch out and try a new brand.  After I browsed through the ciders I finally decided to go with Angry Orchard.  And let me tell you, it was a decision that was well made.  I believe I may have found my new “brand of choice”. 

While I enjoy the the flavor of the hard cider by itself, there are some times where I like to add a little something to it to change it up a big.  The other night was one of those times.  So I started playing around with different ingredients and options until I finally came up with this cinnamon hard cider cocktail.

This cocktail combines a mixture of apple cider, hard cider, whisky, honey, and maple syrup.  All of  that is combined and poured over ice and thinly sliced pieces of a tart Granny Smith apple.  Then topped with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and garnished with a cinnamon stick. 

With each sip of this cocktail you taste the cinnamon, the crisp cider, get a hint of the warm whiskey, and it’s all balanced out with the natural sweetness of the honey and maple syrup.  Oh, and once you’ve enjoyed the entire glass you’re not through.  Oh no.  You’ve got the crispy apples to enjoy.  The apples that have been soaking in the spiked cider mixture, and yes you can taste the drink with each bite of crisp apples. 

This is the perfect type of drink to enjoy on the cool, crisp nights we’re all experiencing right now.  It would also be ideal at your Thanksgiving gathering or upcoming Christmas parties.  This is a low-key, no fuss cocktail that’s big on the tastes of the season.

Cinnamon Cider


Ingredients:

1 (12oz) Bottle hard cider
1 1/4 Cup apple cider
3 Oz whiskey
1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 1/2 Tsp honey
1 Apple
Cinnamon stick
Ground cinnamon

Directions:

Combine hard cider, apple cider, whiskey, maple syrup, and honey in a pitcher and gently stir to combine.

Thinly slice the apple.

Place apple slices in two glasses, fill glasses with ice and pour cider mixture over the ice and apples.  Garnish with a cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon and an apple slice.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

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