Indian Summer’s Apple-Ginger Sparkler

While apples are rolling in - out of Georgia’s orchards in lieu of peaches, this fizzy drink makes for a cool refreshment on an Indian summer day. After the first frost of autumn, our Southern climate often experiences warm days reminiscent of summertime before the onset of winter proper.

I love this time of year for its warm during the day and crisp at night and in the early morning. This drink is reflective of those temperatures. For if the day has a briskness in the air, serve it at room temperature. If it is a warm Indian summer day, then serve over ice. Cinnamon sticks and candied ginger make for lovely garnishes and the ginger is a delightful snack too.

5 cups of good apple cider
¼ cup of ginger syrup
One can of ginger ale (you can use sparkling cider instead of ginger ale if desired) --- or even sparkling mineral water for a less sweet drink
Cinnamon sticks and candied ginger for garnish

In six glasses, place 2 tablespoons of the ginger syrup in each glass. Fill the glasses with ice cubes. 

Mix the cider and ginger ale and pour over the ice. Stir so it becomes cold and garnish with cinnamon sticks and candied ginger.

Hometown Launch Party

A time to… LAUNCH!!!! My book tour that is, and what better place than my hometown on my home land! 



Desserts, drinks and dancing… what a salute to summer’s swansong - donned in seersucker, toasting with bellinis and merriment all around! My phenomenal aunt and uncle graciously opened their pavilion for my party and I cannot thank them enough for all they do for me and the family.

From fun advice from Mama to say my “yes ma’am and sirs, please and thank you, and all the Southern gentilities…” 



to nearly matching Granddaddy…

to the poses with sisters, friends, and tunes of the fabulous Jessie Smith… a lovely evening for all!

Centerpieces brimming with this Farmer’s favorite herbs…

 

Pillars of petit fours, blueberry scones with lemon icing, and of course, pound cake with whipped cream!

We danced and delighted in the desserts, signed a few books, and set the tone for my tour.

Looking back on the night, I couldn’t have asked for a more memorable or lovely time. Middle Georgia’s finest in their summer cocktail chic never looked so good!

photography by Maggie Yelton

I hope to see all my Atlanta friends at Foxgloves!

Herbal Ice Cubes and Sparkling Water

It is often the simplest of gestures in life that make for elegant entertaining. With amazing refrigerators and ice machines galore in our homes, the old fashioned method of freezing water in ice trays has almost gone to the wayside. I keep some of those ice trays around for to make herbal ice cubes for drinks. My friends and family are always glad to have a treat in their ice and the presentation is both memorable and aesthetically pleasing.

The crisp shapes and forms of the lovely aromatic leaves bound in ice is the perfect accouterment to sparkling mineral water. Whenever I travel outside the country, I love being asked by the servers if I’d like water “with gas” or “no gas”  and this drink reminds me of those travels.

As the ice melts in the sparkling water, the herb leaves release their essence and the scents , bouquets, and flavors meld with the fizz for beverage of pure delight and refreshment. Flavor with a syrup or citrus but trust me, this clean tasting drink is fine on its own.

Fill an ice cube tray with a leaf or two of your favorite herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, basil, and mint, and then cover with water. Place in the freezer until frozen and use for sparkling water or any drink for that matter.

The book is here!

This is a big month in the world of All Things Farmer because James's book is here!
You can order your copy here.

photo by Maggie Yelton

More details to come.
posted by Sarah Barry at Spoonful