Sweater Weather Recipe

Combine 0.5 cup brown sugar and 0.5 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and the mixture comes just to a simmer.

Add rosemary sprig, whole cloves, cinnamon (or cinnamon stick) and optional apple peel. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 6–8 minutes to infuse flavors. Do not boil hard; you want a gentle simmer.

Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature (about 20–30 minutes) to allow further infusion. Strain out solids and transfer syrup to a clean jar. Refrigerate — syrup will keep 2 weeks.

Chill glass and measure

Chill a highball or Collins glass in the freezer for a few minutes (optional). Measure all cocktail ingredients so assembly is quick.

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.

Add 2 oz vodka, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz fall syrup, 0.5 oz ginger syrup, and 0.5 oz pear syrup to the shaker.

Shake vigorously for 8–10 seconds until the shaker is frosty and the ingredients are well combined and chilled.

Fill the chilled highball glass with fresh ice (about 1 cup). Strain the shaken cocktail over the ice into the glass.

Top with 2 oz chilled club soda (or to taste). Give the drink one gentle stir with a bar spoon to integrate the soda without losing fizz.

Garnish with a pear slice and a thin lemon wheel on the rim. Optionally skewer a small piece of crystallized ginger and rest it on the rim for extra aroma.