Pumpkin Brew

You can’t have a game day menu without beer but it’s Cocktail Thursday so I can’t just serve beer. Plus, it’s fall and I'm a big fan of pumpkin beer! This cocktail is so smooth it will turn your non-beer loving friends onto beer. It’s a bit spicy, a bit sweet, and so good.

Entertaining tips:

1. Make the simple syrup ahead of time. You can store the simple syrup in your refrigerator for up to 3 months.

2. Make a large batch of the bourbon, syrup mixture the day before and store in the refrigerator.

3. Add the beer to the bourbon mixture and serve in a pitcher. Or, let your guests mix their own.

Recipe: Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 Pumpkin Beers

8 oz Bourbon

3 oz cinnamon spice simple syrup

*1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

5 cinnamon sticks

t Tbsp whole cloves

Directions:

1. Make the simple syrup. In a small sauce pan, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, add sugar and turn down to a simmer. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves and stir until sugar is dissolved. Simmer for another 10 minutes and then remove from heat. Allow to cool and then strain and transfer to an airtight container. You can store this in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

2. To make the cocktail, combine bourbon and simple syrup.

3. Divide the simple syrup into 4 glasses with ice.

4. Pour beers over bourbon and serve immediately.

5. Enjoy!