Autumn Harmony

A warming cocktail that bridges summer's brightness with fall's richness, featuring peak harvest ingredients that evolve from light and crisp to warm and spiced as you drink. This represents Libra season's role as the gateway from summer to autumn.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pear brandy

• 1 oz apple cider reduction*

• 0.5 oz cardamom simple syrup**

• 0.25 oz lemon juice

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• Cinnamon stick for garnish

• Dehydrated apple wheel

• Fresh thyme sprig

Apple Cider Reduction:

• 2 cups fresh apple cider

• Simmer until reduced to 0.5 cup, let cool

*Cardamom Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

• 6 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed

• Simmer 10 minutes, strain when cool

Instructions:

1. Prepare apple cider reduction and cardamom syrup in advance.

2. In a mixing glass, combine pear brandy, apple cider reduction, cardamom syrup, lemon juice, and bitters.

3. Add ice and stir for 30-40 seconds.

4. Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.

5. Garnish with cinnamon stick, dehydrated apple wheel, and fresh thyme sprig.

6. The drink will warm and develop spice notes as you sip.

Notes:

• Apple cider reduction keeps refrigerated for 1 week

• Cardamom syrup keeps refrigerated for 2 weeks

• Dehydrate apple wheels at 200°F for 2-3 hours

• Best served in a rocks glass with one large ice cube