Autumn’s Dance – 5:00 Fridays

To say the weather outside is frightful would make you think of snow and Christmas and pine trees and mittens, right? Well, this time of year in North Carolina doesn’t bring anything in the way of cool weather. What’s so frightful about our weather right now is that Mother Nature’s calendar is still set to July. My curls and frizz that are expected in the dead of summer should have given way to silky smooth straight hair by now. It’s  high time to tuck sandals away and reach for a solid pair of boots instead. I’m kind of over my sundresses and covet sweater season. The boys have outgrown their shorts so they look like Gulliver donning some Lilliputian hand me downs. Our outdoor fireplace sits idle, football season carries on while we wear flip flops to tailgate. The calendar says fall, so damn it, I’m willing it to be fall. Or autumn, whatever.

I’m doing my version of a rain dance to beckon fall’s cool temps and figure hiding flattering fashion. Instead of dancing, let’s drink! The dancing will ensue once the humidity abates. Don’t forget to wear your dancing boots.

Autumn’s Dance

1 ounce Maker’s Mark bourbon

6 ounces fresh apple cider (fresh, like from a farmer’s market, not the sort of thing they serve to kids in daycare)

1 teaspoon ginger simple syrup (I like mine heavy on the ginger.)

splash club soda

sliver of fresh ginger

apple wedge

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the bourbon. Add the apple cider and ginger simple syrup. Top with club soda. Give it a stir. Garnish with a sliver of fresh ginger and an apple wedge.

Just saying the word “wedge” makes me think of boots.