"Harvest Hearth" Cocktail

Flavor Profile:

Warm spice, tart apple, mellow vanilla, subtle smoke, and a touch of maple sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz apple brandy (or Calvados)

• 0.75 oz rye whiskey (for a spicy backbone)

• 0.5 oz maple syrup (grade B preferred for deeper flavor)

• 0.5 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

• 1 dash Angostura bitters

• 1 dash orange bitters

• Optional: a bar spoon of allspice dram for deeper spice

Garnish:

• Flamed orange peel

• Fresh rosemary sprig (lightly torched for aroma)

Glassware:

• Coupe or Nick & Nora glass

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake well until chilled (about 12 seconds).

3. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

4. Express the orange peel over the drink and flame it if desired, then drop it in.

5. Add a sprig of rosemary, slightly torched for aromatic effect.

Why it works:

The apple and maple evoke Thanksgiving desserts, the rye adds depth and warmth, and the lemon lifts the richness. The flamed garnish ties it all together like a candlelit autumn table.