I’m not the biggest fan of festive holiday drinks. There. I said it. I mean, maybe a splash or two of pumpkin creamer during October or a few sips of egg nog come Christmas, but I typically choose to miss out on all of the rich and flavorful concoctions. But do I have a cocktail for you that gives all the warm fall and winter fuzzies, but still tastes fresh and light. You know… as in, you can actually drink it without having a stomachache after. Keep reading for all the steps. I hope you enjoy!

Here’s what you’ll need for ONE cocktail:

• 2 ounces liquor of choice. I used gin, but vodka (and probably even tequila) would be great! Honestly, this would be delicious with Prosecco as well—or with sparkling water, if you want it to be a mocktail.
• 2 ounces apple cider
• Juice of 1/2 of a lime
• 1 ounce honey simple syrup (make using 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup hot water shaken rigorously in a jar until honey dissolves)
• apple (cut up into small pieces!)

• thyme & cinnamon for garnish

…and here are all the steps!

1. Make your simple syrup using 1/4 cup honey (I used the Red Clay Hot Honey) and 1/4 cup HOT water. I put mine in a little jam jar and shook it up until the honey completely dissolved.

2. In a cocktail shaker, add the following items:

• • • 2 ounces, or about one and a half shot glasses full, of gin (or one of the other options I mentioned above!)
    • 2 ounces apple cider
    • juice from 1/2 lime
    • 1 ounce (or slightly less if you don’t love honey) of the honey simple syrup
    • a small handful of diced apples
    • a cup’s worth of ice

3. Shake! (Or stir those together if you’re not using a shaker.)

4. Add to glass and finish off with a couple sprigs of thyme and a cinnamon stick for garnish