Adirondack Coast Kitchen: The Pomaple Spritz

At a younger age, I could party with the best of them on New Year’s Eve.  Dancing the night away in my fun new dress and staying up well past closing time at the local bars, but oh how time has changed.  Now, New Year’s Eve is an evening to stay in my PJ’s on the couch while Chef Tanner (AKA my husband) makes fancy appetizers and classy cocktails – classy cocktails that almost always make me fall asleep before the ball drops.  Wait, what am I saying!?  It’s not the cocktails, but more so the fact that I have an 8:30pm bedtime, so anything beyond that is considered “partying” in my world. Who’s with me on that!? Anyway, no matter how you spend your New Year’s Eve, a delicious beverage should always be on the menu and we have come up with one using some of the Adirondack Coast’s best local products.

Introducing…The Pomaple Spritz.  A refreshing concoction that is healthy, (mostly) local and delicious!

Ingredients:

1 Orange Slice2 Dashes of Bitters1 tsp. Local Maple Syrup (Sugarhouses on the Adirondack Coast)2 oz. Local Vodka (Distilleries on the Adirondack Coast)2 oz. Pomegranate JuiceCrushed IceCava

Preparation:

Cut a thick orange slice into quarters and place 2 of the pieces into a glass.  Top with 2 dashes of bitters and 1 teaspoon of local maple syrup.  Begin to muddle the “meat” of the orange until all of the juice is released (note: do not muddle the skin or the pitch of the orange – it will make the drink bitter).

Add 2 ounces of local vodka, 2 ounces of pomegranate juice and crushed ice.  Stir for 30 seconds to dilute the drink and make ice cold.

Strain mixture into fancier glass with crushed ice, top with cava, add an orange slice for garnish and voila!  Drink and enjoy!

Double this recipe for a two person party or quadruple it if you’re having a bash.

The Pomaple Spritz

*Mixologists must be 21 years or older to create this beverage.  Drink safely and responsibly! ;)

Happy New Year!