Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz

Recipe from Half-Baked Harvest (Tieghan Gerard)

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen
Makes 1 cocktail

We thought this cocktail was just delightful and perfect for the holiday season.  To make this easy for a small party, make the syrup a few days in advance.  Juice some lemons and store the juice and the syrup in the fridge.  Slice up an orange a day in advance as well for garnish.

Spiced Maple Syrup
(Makes enough for 6 drinks)
½ cup water
½ cup maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks
1 Tablespoon cardamon pods
1 star anise
1-inch fresh ginger, sliced
Zest of 1 orange

In a medium pot, bring the water, maple syrup, cinnamon, cardamon, star anise, and ginger slices to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes.  Stir in the orange zest.  Let cool, then strain the syrup into a glass jar.  This syrup makes enough for 6 drinks.  It can be made in advance and stored in the fridge until needed.

Maple Bourbon Fizz
(Makes one cocktail.)
1 ½ oz. (3 Tablespoons) bourbon
1 oz. (2 Tablespoons) lemon juice
1-2 dashes orange bitters
1 oz. (2 Tablespoons) Spiced Maple Syrup
Champagne, for topping

In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 Tablespoons Spiced Maple syrup, the bourbon, the and orange bitters.  Add a few cubes of ice and shake.  Pour into a glass.  Top off with a bit of champagne.  Garnish with an orange slice or wedge and star anise, if desired.