Darker spirits enhance fall flavors

Mary Ann Anderson | MCT News Service

The rule of the season is no white after Labor Day. So, when it comes to cocktails, that means stashing away the clear vodkas, tequilas and rums, and harvesting a new crop of darker spirits more suited to cooler temperatures. From Halloween to Veterans Day to Thanksgiving, entertaining is easy this fall with festively golden liquors that pair well with fireplaces, sweaters and swirling leaves.

There are, oh, say, a million brands of amber-hued whiskey, bourbon, scotch and blends for fall. For something a bit offbeat, try the Rittenhouse Very Rare 25-Year-Old Single Barrel Rye (www.Heaven-Hill.com) for licorice, caramel, honey and slight toast, but without the woodiness you would expect from a 25-year-old whiskey. Since rye whiskey is similar in taste to bourbon, try it blended in the classic Whiskey Sour.

Whiskey Sour

• 2 ounces Rittenhouse Whiskey
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounces fresh lemon juice
• Dash of bitters (optional)
• Maraschino cherries for garnish

Combine simple syrup, lemon juice, whiskey and optional bitters with ice in a shaker. Cover and shake until frosty, about 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with cherries.

LOOK OUT, CAPTAIN MORGAN

A new addition of dark rum into the U.S. market is Seven Tiki (www.SevenTiki.com), a full-bodied spiced Fijian rum that seems to aim to give Captain Morgan a walk on the plank. With a base of sugar cane - the nose is seriously and pleasantly sweet - and mingled with hints of nutmeg and vanilla, Seven Tiki ends with notes of coffee, cherry and chocolate. For Turkey Day aperitifs or just a warm-up for a chilly afternoon, Seven Tiki mixes well in cocktails for a gobbling good time.

Seven Tiki & Coke

• 1 part Seven Tiki Spiced Rum
• 3 parts Coca-Cola

Prepare in an ice-filled old fashioned glass. Garnish with orange peel.

Spicy Mango Tiki

• 1 1/2 ounces Seven Tiki Spiced Rum
• 2 ounces mango nectar
• 1/2 ounce Monin spicy mango syrup
• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Seven Tiki and Ginger

• 1 part Seven Tiki Spiced Rum
• 1 part fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 part Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur
• 1/2 part honey
• Ginger ale

In a tall glass add lemon juice and honey and stir. Add ice, Seven Tiki and Domaine de Canton and stir. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with piece of crystallized ginger and lemon wedge.

AUTUMN COCKTAILS

One of my all-time perennial favorites for fall is NAVAN Natural Vanilla Liqueur (www.NavanWorld.com) from the house of Grand Marnier. NAVAN combines fine cognac with the tantalizing rich, warm flavor of Madagascar vanilla. Swirled in a glass on its own, NAVAN is sophisticated, luscious and velvety smooth with notes of honey, butterscotch and orange blossoms. For those party evenings when the shadows grow long, try it in these autumnal cocktails.

Fall Spice Cordial

• 1 ounce NAVAN Natural Vanilla Liqueur
• 1 ounce bourbon
• 3/4 ounce chipotle-orange syrup (recipe follows)
• 2 dashes Regan's Orange Bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Mix together all ingredients except for the orange peel. Shake together with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with the orange peel.

Note: The cocktail can be prepared warm or cold.

(from "Spice & Ice" by Kara Newman)

Chipotle-Orange Syrup

• 2 cups water
• 1 chipotle pepper
• 2 strips fresh orange peel
• 3/4 cup sugar

Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to a simmer and add the chipotle pepper and orange peel. Cover and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain with a fine-mesh sieve and add the sugar. Return to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool. Pour the syrup into a container and keep in the refrigerator.

Fall into Navan Punch

• 1/2 ounce NAVAN Natural Vanilla Liqueur
• 1 ounce light spiced rum
• 1 ounce apple juice
• 1/4 ounce lemon juice
• 1 bar-spoon of freshly extracted ginger juice
• 1/4 ounce maple syrup
• 2 dashes of bitters
• Pomegranate seeds and grated nutmeg for garnish

Heat the apple juice, rum, NAVAN and lemon juice over low heat. Add the ginger juice, maple syrup and bitters then pour into a glass mug. Top with pomegranate seeds and grated nutmeg.

(created by Aisha Sharpe of Contemporary Cocktails Inc.)

Just for seasonal fun, I also like these drinks made with golden spirits:

Corzo Pumpkin Spice

• 1 1/4 parts Corzo Reposado
• 3/4 part pumpkin spice liqueur
• 1/2 part agave nectar
• 1 small orange slice
• 1 small lemon slice
• 3/4 part orange juice
• 1 teaspoon egg white
• Cinnamon stick for garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top it off with 3 dashes of pumpkin spice liqueur.

Barcardi Pumpkin Pie

• 2 parts Bacardi Gold Rum
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 parts Chai
• 1/4 part simple syrup
• Graham crackers for garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass and strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed in crushed graham crackers.