Oh, that chill in the air can only mean one thing: It’s finally time for cool-weather cocktails.

Ready to take a break from pumpkin spice? Give Pink House Alchemy’s Winter Spice Syrup a try. This syrup blends cane sugar, cloves, cardamon, black pepper, nutmeg, and vanilla into a cohesive and seasonally appropriate mixer that can be used in lieu of simple syrup in just about anything to give it more of a fall flavor.

Naturally, darker spirit pairings of whiskey, rum, and brandy all make the most sense, helping to bring more out of the syrup’s heavy spice notes — though do note that the cloves and cardamom are particularly intense here. Avoid using any base spirit that is already spiced, like a spiced rum, and experiment with this syrup in small doses in order to find the right balance, as it is not overly sweet.

I used the syrup to make a batched holiday cocktail, a vague spin on a sidecar, for my neighborhood block party and it was promptly lapped up.

Refrigerate after opening.

A- / $20 per 16 oz. bottle / pinkhousealchemy.com

Autumn Sidecar
3 oz. apple cider
1 1/2 oz. brandy (any will do)
1/2 oz. Pink House Alchemy Winter Spice Syrup
1/2 oz. lemon juice
2-3 dashes cinnamon bitters

Shake all ingredients well over ice and strain over a fresh cube. Garnish with a brandied cherry.

Pink House Alchemy Winter Spice Syrup

$20

9

Rating

9.0/10

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