IMBIBE: Back to School Special

Why do we eagerly throw ourselves into the festivities and foods we ought to celebrate before it’s actually time for them? For example, pumpkin beer in August, winter porters in November and spring ales in February. Okay, a cocktail writer is ragging on beer marketing here, but let’s be honest: It’s more fun to write about beer releases being too early than the fact your local store has Halloween candy out the week after the 4th of July.

C’mon people, let’s not drink ourselves too far into the future, no matter how many of us secretly, ashamedly, love sucking down those pumpkin concoctions rimmed with cinnamon sugar.

Here’s an idea: a timely cocktail to hail the season as it is. And for whatever perverse reason, this girl ain’t ready to give up on warm days just yet. So she happily gulped down this drink suggestion by a good friend. It’s got a touch of ginger beer that hints of summer’s dark & stormies, a bit of mezcal for warming goodness on cool evenings, and cider — an ode to a fruit properly ripe in September and into fall. Hello apple season.

What: Back to School Special

Go Get:
2 oz Mezcal
3 oz Cider
3 oz Ginger beer

Make:
Pour mezcal and cider over ice and stir in a tall glass. Top with ginger beer and stir lightly again. Garnish with a sliver of cinnamon-dusted, ruby apple and a cinnamon stick.

Drinkers note: If you’re like me, you’ll make a to-go Thermos and sit on your favorite beach, pouring out a splash for summer’s end, and hail the fall equinox.