Apple-Cherry Cordial
Combine 2 cups of brown sugar to 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Add ½ pound of pitted cherries, 1 ½ cups of diced apple, 2 cinnamon sticks and the peel of 1 orange. Cook on low-medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the sugar has fully dissolved into the water and your spices are very fragrant. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for an additional 10 minutes. Fine strain the syrup into clean containers and allow to fully cool.
Juniper Syrup
Combine 2 cups of white sugar to 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan. Add 1 teaspoon of juniper berries (available at Whole Foods Market), 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns, the peel from ½ an orange, 1 cinnamon stick and ½ teaspoon of allspice berries. Cook (covered) on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, strain into clean containers, and fully cool.
Sweet Orange and Rosemary Shrub
In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine 2 cups of sweet orange supremes (Cara Cara is a great varietal) with 1 cup of white sugar and 2 large rosemary sprigs. Cover and allow to sit for 24 hours. After 1 day, remove the rosemary sprigs, add 1 cup of champagne vinegar, and allow to sit for another 24 hours. Fine strain into clean containers.
This article appears in December 19 • 2014.