Runny Honey

Ingredients
1part water
1part raw honey

Directions
Boil water. Turn down heat. Add honey and stir until thoroughly mixed. Remove from heat. Add to cocktails or other cold beverages. The idea is that it will mix with cold liquids much better than straight honey.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup (For Lattes!)

Ingredients

1½ c. water

1½ c. sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

½ tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. ground cloves

3 tbsp. pumpkin puree

Directions

Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved.  Toss in the cinnamon sticks and whisk in the remaining spices and the pumpkin puree.  Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, without letting the mixture come to a boil.  Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.  Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and store in your container of choice.   Store in the refrigerator.

To make a pumpkin spice latte, combine 2 ounces of hot coffee or 1 shot of hot espresso (about 1-1½ ounces) with 5-6 ounces of steamed low-fat milk.  Stir in 1½-2 tablespoons of the pumpkin spice syrup.  Taste and adjust amounts accordingly.  Top as desired with freshly whipped cream and ground cinnamon.

Hot Toddy Extraordinaire

An excellent use for your crock pot on a cold, autumn day.

Ingredients
2 qts. apple juice or cider
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. lemon juice
3 tbsp. orange concentrate
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 bottle red wine
1 orange, sliced thinly for garnish

Directions
Heat all ingredients (except wine) over stove set to medium low. Pour into crock pot, draining off cloves in the process, set to "warm" or "low," add red wine and sliced oranges. Serve warm.

Magic Mojitos

A tremendous accompaniment to Bergie's Ganked Guacamole, these mojitos will quench your thirst and have you back at the bar for more.

Ingredients*
3 fresh mint sprigs
2 tsp. sugar
3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1.5 oz. light rum
club soda & ice

Directions
Crush part of the mint with a fork in a tall glass, to coat the inside. Add sugar and lime juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice, add rum and mix. Top with chilled club soda or seltzer. Add a slice of lime and a mint sprig to serve.

*Mojitos are very time consuming to make. I recommend multiplying the recipe and premixing sugar, lime juice and rum.