There’s a definite nip in the air! Living in the DC metro area, we do have actual seasons, although the switch from one to the next is rarely well-defined. I’ve turned the furnace on, but will have to turn it off again since we have a predicted high of 70F for Halloween Day. Changing seasons inspire a change in cocktails, and have I got a versatile cold-weather stand-by. I’ve served this to crowds, heating the cider on the stovetop (the scent warming the entire house), or served it to just myself, heating the cider in the microwave.

For the rum, I am currently obsessed with the Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum (used in the Dark and Stormy). I especially like the caramel notes in this rum — works especially well with apples. But any full-flavored dark rum would work well.

Any unfiltered apple cider would work nicely here, but I am fond of Trader Joe’s Spiced Cider. The right balance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and citrus — they already did the work for me (also delish cold without the rum).

Rummed-up Spiced Cider

2 – 4 tablespoons of dark rum
Enough spiced cider to fill the mug
Cinnamon Stick

Put 2 – 4 tablespoons of rum in a mug. Separately, heat the cider in the microwave or on the stovetop to a near boil. My little secret: while the cider is heating, gently rasp some of the cinnamon into the mug with a microplane (yes, there’s already some cinnamon in the cider, but the freshly ground cinnamon adds a nice warmth). Pour the hot cider into the mug, stirring with the cinnamon stick.

I gotta remember to take this down in a thermos the next time I’m fishing for Rockfish in the brutal November wind on the end of our community’s 450′ fishing pier!

Standard caveat: This is a personal recommendation. Neither Gosling’s nor Trader Joe’s know I exist and has provided neither product nor compensation for this endorsement. In fact, they’ll probably sue me if this ever gets in a search engine.