today is national rum punch day & i am sharing the recipe for a fall inspired rum punch!!! cue: apple cider. i honestly can't get enough apple cider in the fall. i am surrounded by several apple orchards that sells fresh cider. it is just so good. can enjoy it both hot & cold, but these days cold because we are getting july like weather over here. i just want to be wearing my wool sweaters & leather boots again! anyways, back to this rum punch. it is made with fresh local cider, a little rum, a stevia infused simple syrup to allow for no added sugar AND a good old splash of zevia's ginger ale. zevia's ginger ale is also sugar free as it is made with stevia too. plus the ginger taste so good with apple cider & adds the perfect amount of fiz to the punch! you are going to need this punch today to cool down if you are experiencing any of the weather we are.

cheers! xo

ingredients

for the apple cider rum punch

1 cup light rum
3 cups apple cider (100% juice, no sugar added)
1/2 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 cup zevia's ginger ale
1 cup thyme + lemon simple syrup (see recipe below)
apple slices, for garnish
lemon slices, for garnish
fresh thyme, for garnish

for the thyme + lemon simple syrup

1 cup liquid stevia (approx. 1 teaspoon stevia to 1 cup water)
1 cup water
5-6 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 lemon, sliced

directions

for the apple cider rum punch

in a large pitcher stir together the rum, apple cider, lemon juice, zevia ginger ale & simple syrup. fill remaining space with ice. when serving, garnish with apple slice, lemon slice & fresh thyme.

for the thyme + lemon simple syrup

in a sauce pot over medium heat add the stevia, water, thyme, lemon zest & lemon. bring to a gentle simmer and stir until stevia dissolves. remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. strain liquid and store in a glass weck jar for up to two weeks.

this post was created in partnership with zevia! thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog. xo

is everyone ready for christmas?! we are only TWELVE days away from the best day of the year. how is december half over though, seriously. before i get into the full holiday spirit i have a huge birthday to celebrate friday, justin turns thirty (i mean 29, again)!!!!

insert ALL the over the hill jokes

while a lot of celebratory dinners out are in order, first i am going to take him to the cheesecake factory after some last minute holiday shopping because he has never been nor heard of such a place (WHAT? crazy, i know). then we have quite a few fancy restaurants to try out in our new town. it will be very different from last year's birthday in toronto. but enough about that & more about this holiday cocktail!

the only thing just as important as baking cookies this month (stay tuned for those) is the cocktails! every party needs a signature drink so today i have teamed up with zevia to make a lighter, healthier cocktail that will help get you through the holidays (you can take that statement however you please). i used pure fruit juices & added the fizz with zevia's ginger ale. zevia is a zero calorie soda made with natural ingredients & natural sweeteners like stevia. nothing pairs better then the flavours of cider, cranberry, cinnamon & ginger! while i used a clear rum, this drink will work with just about any clear liquor. i will be sharing a fun new years cocktail next! but first stay tuned for some not so traditional christmas cookies.

ingredients

1.5 oz white rum
2 oz 100% cranberry juice
2 oz pure apple cider
2 oz zevia ginger ale
1 pinch cinnamon
ice, for serving
cinnamon stick, for garnish
applie slice, for garnish

directions

in a cocktail shaker add rum, cranberry uice, apple cider, gingerale, cinnamon & ice. shake well!
pour into desired cocktail glass, add fresh ice & garnish with a cinnamon stick + apple slice.