Autumn in New England Cocktail

Great cocktail for fall when apple cider is available. Cider shows up here late October. Apple juice can be substituted. I tried adjusting the amounts and this is perfectly balanced. I think a little more bourbon helps it taste more like a real cocktail and less like something listed under Cocktails on a restaurant menu. Musical accompaniment while making and drinking: Moonlight in Vermont by Willie Nelson

Ingredients

3-4 fresh sage leaves, plus a small one for garnish

1/4 oz maple syrup

2 oz bourbon (maybe a splash more)

1 oz apple cider or apple juice

1/4 oz apple cider vinegar

Muddle the sage leaves with syrup in a shaker bottom.

Add the other ingredients and shake with ice. 

Double-strain into an old-fashioned glass with ice and garnish with small sage leaf. 

I also served this up in a Nick and Nora glass which looked great with a single sage leaf floating on top.