Last night about 930 there was an unexpected knock on the door, just after I’d gotten back home from a work excursion.
The knock was unexpected as a taste of winter blew into the northern Alabama yesterday knocking evening temperatures into the mid-twenties (headed to a low of 8 actually) causing life as we’ve come to know it to basically stop. (There was even a debate as to whether or not schools should close today…)
The knock at the door was a neighbor, bundled as if venturing off to ski Alta or Snowbird at first light, asking if I could “spare a cup of decent bourbon for my hot buttered cider”.
Long story made short – our bourbon passed muster (Bulleit) and we received two mugs of this hot buttered cider in return. Butter does make everything better.
And it is chilly; She Who Must Be Obeyed actually wore a long sleeve sweater and a vest out today; I felt compelled by the frosty breeze to wear long pants and socks when leaving the house this morning to go pick up some cider.
1 stick softened butter
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
3-4 cups apple cider (pending how big your mugs are)
Decent Bourbon
Spice your butter. Combine the butter with the brown sugar and the three spices; place on parchment or plastic wrap and roll into a log (1-inch diameter). Chill for an hour until firm.
Heat the cider in a medium saucepan over low heat, covered, for 45 minutes or so.
Pour. Into 6 warmed mugs pour 1 to 1.5 ounces of bourbon; top with the hot cider and a pat of the compound butter.
Enjoy.
