If you can't tell by now, we love making cocktails. Life is stressful and you should do what makes you happy. One of the easiest ways we have found to make new and exciting cocktails at home is by making small batches of naturally flavored simple syrups.

Brief recap: A homemade simple syrup is typically a 1 : 1 ratio of sugar and water simmered down some until the sugar dissolves completely. Once cooled, a homemade simple syrup may be kept in an airtight jar and stored in the refrigerator for a month or so.

In this case, we wanted to make a flavored simple syrup that would capture the autumn season. We settled on blood oranges and rosemary. We also wanted the rich, complexity of honey over sugar, but because honey is more sweet than sugar you will want to adjust your ratio accordingly.

Blood Orange and Rosemary Simple Syrup:

Ingredients:

* 1/4 C honey

* 1/2 C water

* 1 sprig rosemary

* 1 blood orange - zest, peel, or slices - whatever you feel

Note - I feel like this would be just as good with maple syrup in lieu of honey. If you try it, be sure to let me know!

Instructions:

1. Bring all ingredients to a low simmer/boil for 2-3 minutes and stir until the honey seems to have blended with the water completely. It should no longer be thick and gooey and should have thinned.

2. Remove from heat and let cool.

3. Once cooled, strain to remove the blood oranges and rosemary.

4. Pour the remaining syrup in to an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.

...OR use your Blood Orange and Rosemary Simple Syrup now to make...

Our Haunted Spirit

Ingredients:

* 3 jiggers of preferred bourbon

* 3 Tbs of pomegranate juice

* 2 Tbs of your homemade Blood Orange and Rosemary Simple Syrup

Instructions:

1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice and shake well.

2. Strain from the ice and pour into two stemmed cocktail glasses - martini, coupe, cordial or liqueur glasses. The type of glass doesn't matter, but it does feel more seasonal in something with a stem.

3. We garnished our cocktail with a blood orange crisp and a burning rosemary sprig because we desired that EXTRA spooky effect, but this cocktail will be just as fun with a sugared rim, or a fresh orange wheel.

Warning: Our version is also smoking from the effects of dropping in a little dry ice, but dry ice should never be consumed! Dry ice could certainly cause internal burning so if you are handling it for any reason, handle with care and never, never consume.

That's it! Simple enough and because your syrup will last awhile in the refrigerator there are plenty of other concoctions you could conjure up. Think about adding some to spiked apple cider or maybe it would take black tea to a new level - who knows, try it all and let us know!

Happy Halloween!

Cheers!

Kristen