Hard Spiced Apple Cider

O.K., back by popular demand...(drum roll please) The Drink of the Week!  I used to post this on my facebook page, but with all their "improvements" there really wasn't a good spot for it.  Now that we are closer to the holiday season I'm getting requests to re-institute the drink of the week.  So, here we go.  I'll post next week's drink on Thursday or Friday so you have the weekend to get supplies and practice.  If you sign up for emails from this site, they will automatically come to your email box and you will be set!
This week, with Thanksgiving and all the family and friends that you we will be entertaining, I chose a crisp fall drink that is light and easy to prepare in single drinks or in larger batches.  I've given amounts for a single serving and for 4 servings.  You can multiply as you need for the occasion.

Hard Spiced Apple Cider

Single drink:
1.5 oz spiced rum (I use Captain Morgan special reserve)
4 oz. apple cider (I used the sparkling kind, it is a holiday after all and I love bubbles)
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 Tbsp. lime juice
cinnamon or cinnamon-sugar for garnish

Fill shaker with ice, add all ingredients except cinnamon, shake (or stir if sparkling apple cider), strain into martini glass, top with a sprinkling of cinnamon. (Optional, rub rim of glass with damp, clean sponge, dip rim in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Pitcher for four drinks:
6 oz. spiced rum
2 cups apple cider
2 oz. simple syrup
2 Tbsp. lime juice (or more, to taste)
cinnamon or cinnamon-sugar for garnish

Mix all ingredients except cinnamon in a pitcher of ice, stir until very cold, pour into martini glasses.  Garnish with cinnamon or dip rims as suggested above.

November 17, 2011    Daylight  6 hours, 7 minutes,   37 seconds    Current Temperature -39º F