Recipe of the Week: Apple-Lavender Fizz

Bottoms up! A fresh and fizzy take on cider that's perfect for entertaining this autumn

By Compiled by Sara Jones November 4, 2014

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Amy Pennington, legendary Seattle cook, author, and urban farmer, gives reason for us all to invest in SodaStream Play machines this fall with this cool cider variation she’s brewing up. Lavender adds a flowery finish to the bubbly apple cocktail, which can be prepared in 50 minutes (mostly unattended), and leaves the house smelling luscious for that last autumn gathering before eggnog takes over. See Pennington’s blog for more details and photos. 

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups apple juice, or cider
  • 3 tablespoons fresh or dried lavender buds
  • 2 thin slices fresh ginger root
  • 1 tablespoon cloves
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice
  • 10 cardamom pods
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • about 1 cup bourbon
  • about 1 cup soda water (tap water made into sparkling water with the SodaStream Play)
  • OPTIONAL: dehydrated apples and sugar to make apple powder for the rim

 Special equipment 

SodaStream Play machine

 Instructions

  1. Place a small saucepan over medium high heat, and add the juice and spices.
  2. Bring to a boil and reduce heat slightly, allowing the apple juice to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and let cool completely (about 20 minutes in the fridge). Strain the spices, pressing into the solids to release any juice.
  4. Finally, combine 2 parts juice: 1 part bourbon : 1 part SodaStream soda. Pennington wanted a soft sparkle, so she used 3 compressions on the SodaStream Play to achieve a gentle, small bubble.
  5. If desired, rim the glass with “apple powder” (Penington pulverized dehydrated apples with a little sugar) to make the apple flavor really sparkle. Serve.

 

Cooking time: 40-50 minutes (includes cooling)

Number of servings (yield): 6-8 

 

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