Essential Fall Cocktails from Ketel One Vodka

At 31 years of age, Ketel One vodka is a mere adolescent in the genealogy of Holland’s Nolet Distillery which was founded in 1691. But three decades is more than enough time to nurture and develop seasonal cocktail recipes that use to perfection Ketel One and its Citroen and Oranje siblings.  The folks at Ketel One graciously shared with me some fall cocktails that celebrate flavors of that season:  pumpkin, rosemary, ginger, and thyme.  So grab a bottle of Ketel One and your favorite cocktail shaker and mix one up tonight!

KETEL ONE DAYLIGHT

1 ½ oz. Ketel One® Vodka 

1 oz. fresh grapefruit juice

1 oz. fresh orange juice

½ oz. rosemary maple simple syrup

 Build in wine glass over ice. Stir for 10 seconds. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a dusting of cracked black pepper.

 Rosemary Maple Simple Syrup: 16 oz. Grade B maple syrup, 4 oz. water, 9 rosemary sprigs – Bring maple syrup and water to a boil, add rosemary, remove from heat, cool, strain)

KETEL ONE FUMBLES & FOLIAGE

1 ¼ oz. Ketel One® Vodka 

1 oz. Pimms #1 

¼ oz. allspice dram liqueur

1 oz. fresh orange juice

½ oz. fresh lemon juice 

¾ oz. ginger simple syrup

 Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake with ice and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

 Ginger Simple Syrup: 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, 3-4 large chunks peeled/sliced ginger – Bring sugar and water to a boil, remove from heat, cool, add ginger, blend, strain)

KETEL ONE ROSEMARY’S BABY

1 ½ oz. Ketel One Citroen®

½ oz. Meyer lemon simple syrup

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

1 rosemary sprig

Club soda

 Muddle rosemary and lemon simple syrup in a mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon wheel and rosemary sprig.

KETEL ONE MIDNIGHT SOUR

1 ½ oz. Ketel One Oranje®

¾ oz. vanilla bean simple syrup

¾ oz. fresh lemon juice

3 drops fig bitters

3 drops mole bitters

 Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake with ice and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with a float of red wine port.

 Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup: 1 quart water, 1 quart sugar, 10 vanilla beans – Bring water and sugar to a boil, add vanilla beans and split open, remove from heat, cool, remove vanilla pods