cinnamon syrup

While the rest of the country was watching a football game, I was reading a really good book.

Good writing and top notch research, two of my favorite things. Oh, and cocktails, three of my favorite things.  It was impossible not to put the book down and start mixing drinks.  After reading I cannot believe I only have three different bottles of bitters in the booze locker, totally need to change that.  While this book holds lots of recipes that I plan to try, there was one that jumped to the top.  Not only did I have the ingredients on hand, but it is something I have been thinking about for quite awhile. 

Last fall I had a bourbon drink that included some sort of cinnamon whiskey.  It was quite tasty.  I did look for the whiskey at the liquor store, but they only carried "something similar".  I was not willing to risk $30 on a bottle of something that may be awful.  Still, that flavor stayed with me.  Then last night I saw the recipe for Cinnamon Syrup, put down the book and headed to the kitchen.

Making the syrup is easy.  To 1 cup each of water and sugar, add three cinnamon sticks.  Bring to a boil, turn off the heat and let cool.  After about 15 minutes the cinnamon sticks will soften and break apart easily with a spoon.  Once the syrup has cooled completely, strain out the sticks and store in the refrigerator.

In just a few minutes I had a cup of sweet, spicy, goodness.  I thought the syrup might work well in place of lemon in a Hot Toddy.  I was right.

Red Hot Toddy

2 ounces good bourbon

1 ounce Cinnamon Syrup

hot water

Put the water kettle on to boil.  In the bottom of a mug pour the bourbon and cinnamon syrup.  Once the kettle boils, top off the mug with hot water.  Try to wait a little bit before having another one.