By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Drinks make or break a moment. When you take that first sip of something sweet or strong, you’ll feel the vibe of any space in any season. Whether you’re at a local bar drinking cold beer, sipping an iced coffee as you pursue a boutique, or slurp tea on a cold winter night, you’ll be sure to remember that moment. As October is upon us, enchant your life with autumn vibes and stir up some yummy drinks that’ll make you want to jump in a pile of leaves or wear a blanket scarf:
Pumpkin Chai Latte
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Teavana chai powder
- 2 cups of Milk of choice (I recommend oat milk)
- 3 tbsp of cinnamon
- 2 tbsp of nutmeg
- 2 tbsp of ground cloves
- ¼ cup of pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup of maple syrup
In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat for three minutes. Whisk in chai powder, spices, pumpkin and syrup. Stir slowly until the mixture comes to a boil. Turn off heat and serve in a mug with a cinnamon stick garnish. Delicious!
Salted Caramel Mocha
Ingredients:
- 2 shots of espresso
- 3 tbsp of caramel sauce
- 2 tbsp of cocoa powder
- 1 cup of milk of choice, frothed
- Whipped Cream
- Chocolate drizzle
Pour espresso into a large mug. Add caramel sauce and cocoa powder, stirring evenly. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk milk until it’s warm, thick and foamy. Pour milk into a mug and stir. Top drink with whipped cream, caramel and chocolate drizzle. Enjoy!
Cranberry Cider Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of apple cider, chilled
- ½ cup of sweetened cranberry juice
- 3 oz. of bourbon
- Cranberries for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, add cider, juice and whiskey with a cup of ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a chilled glass. Top with loose cranberries and serve cold.
Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of pecans
- ½ cup of whiskey
- 2 oz. of bitters
- 4 sugar cubes
Toast pecans on a sheet pan in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let cool completely. Pour in a mason jar with whiskey, cap screwed tightly on. Let whiskey infuse with nutty flavor for three to four days. Once flavored, remove pecans from whiskey and throw them away. In an Old Fashioned glass, muddle bitters with sugar and add ice. Pour whiskey over top and stir. Add a cherry and orange peel as garnish. Drink this seasonal delight!
Rose Moon Milk
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of cherry juice concentrate
- 1 cup of oat milk
- 2 tsp of rosewater
- ¼ cup of ashwagandha powder
- 2 tsp of ground ginger
- 1 tbsp of beetroot, powdered
Combine ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Turn off heat when milk becomes thick and frothy. Pour into a mug and enjoy. Moon milk is known for making someone sleepy, so enjoy it in the evening and sleep well!
