Equilibrium Elixir

A perfectly balanced cocktail where sweet autumn pear meets tart cranberry, unified by warming spices and finished with a touch of herbal complexity. This drink embodies Libra's pursuit of harmony through contrasting elements that create perfect equilibrium. The half-rimmed glass visually represents the scales of justice.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz apple brandy

• 0.75 oz pear liqueur

• 0.5 oz fresh cranberry juice

• 0.25 oz Amaro Montenegro

• 0.25 oz cinnamon simple syrup*

• 2 dashes orange bitters

• Cinnamon sugar for rim

• Fresh pear slice and cranberries for garnish

Cinnamon Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

• 3 cinnamon sticks

• Simmer for 10 minutes, let cool, strain

Instructions:

1. Prepare cinnamon simple syrup and let cool completely.

2. Rim half of a coupe glass with cinnamon sugar.

3. In a shaker, combine apple brandy, pear liqueur, cranberry juice, amaro, cinnamon syrup, and orange bitters.

4. Add ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

5. Double strain into prepared coupe glass.

6. Garnish with a thin pear slice and 2-3 fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick.

Notes:

• Cinnamon syrup keeps refrigerated for 2 weeks

• For perfect balance, adjust cranberry juice to taste - some prefer slightly more tart

• Best served in a chilled coupe glass