Name: Fireside
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: ¼ cup Pumpkin Pie Spice Rim Sugar (optional) (see headnote); 2 ounces brandy or cognac; 1 teaspoon recipe; ⅛ teaspoon citrus bitters; apple slice

Why This Recipe Works

A Fireside is, essentially, a warmly spiced version of a brandy old-fashioned, a gentler version of the traditional whiskey-based cocktail. Intriguingly, the brandy old-fashioned is the unofficial cocktail of the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, making those states the two top consumers of brandy in the nation. To make our Fireside, we first replaced the bourbon in our Old-Fashioned recipe with brandy (for a luxe version, you could even use cognac), which has a flavor profile featuring dried fruit and subtle warm spices. Next, we added a conservative amount of our Spiced Syrup, which is made with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. These warm baking spices further emphasized the dried fruit flavors in the brandy. Citrus bitters provided the right amount of zingy brightness—think of it as not unlike the lemon juice that's added to the very best spiced apple pie fillings. The optional Pumpkin Pie Spice Rim Sugar will further bump up the warmly spiced elements, plus add a little sweetness.

Before You Begin

If you like, garnish with a strip of orange peel instead of (or in addition to) the apple slice. For Pumpkin Pie Spice Rim Sugar recipe, see this article.

Instructions

Spread sugar, if using, into even layer on small saucer. Moisten about ½ inch of chilled old-fashioned glass rim by running orange wedge around outer edge; dry any excess juice with paper towel. Roll moistened rim in sugar to coat. Remove any excess sugar that falls into glass; set aside.

Add brandy, spiced syrup, and bitters to mixing glass, then fill three-quarters full with ice. Stir until mixture is fully combined and well chilled, about 30 seconds. Fill prepared glass half-full with ice or add 1 large cube. Strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with apple slice and serve.