Fall is here! Well…. It’s supposed to be at least. I don’t know where you live but it’s sweltering hot where I am! So what do you do when you’ve had a seriously tough week and want to unwind and celebrate the new season? You make a fall flavored icy cocktail! This cocktail has been dubbed “The Toughest Week” so I hope you’ll find comfort in one of these after you’ve had one of those… but most of all I hope you have only good weeks.

 
You will need (this makes enough for two cocktails, just double the recipe for each additional two people):
 
1 part fennel seed simple syrup (recipe to follow)
2 parts bourbon
2 parts fresh apple juice or cider (I strongly urge you not to use the light yellow kids drink you find in your grocery aisle)
1 part fresh lemon juice

 
For garnish (and flavor)
Fresh grated nutmeg
Ground cinnamon
Apple slices

 
Simple syrup:
In a small saucepan combine 1 cup of sugar, 1 ½ cups of water, and 2 heaping Tbs of fennel seeds. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a rolling simmer and sugar has dissolved. Turn off heat and let cool. Strain into a container and keep in the fridge.

 

 
Place ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour in all of your ingredients (simple syrup through lemon juice). I use a shot glass to measure my ‘parts’.  Shake and pour into tumblers filled with ice. Place two apple slices on top, grate some fresh nutmeg, and sprinkle with some cinnamon. Enjoy!

 

 

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