3 oz apple cider

1 oz white tequila ( I used Cazadores Reposado)

1 oz creme de cassis

2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Fill a shaker 2/3 full with ice.  Add the apple cider, tequila, creme de cassis, and lemon juice.  Shake well.  Place 4-6 ice cubes in an old fashioned size glass and strain the drink over the top.  Garnish with fresh apple slices if desired.

As you come to know me, you will find out that I am a HUGE classic literature buff!  Actually, buff may be too kind and nerd like may be more appropriate!  I have read To Kill a Mockingbird 4 times.  Once as a teenager, and once as an adult; and then once each when my boys read this novel in high school.  It has always been one of my all time favorites!  So when I saw the name of this drink…..it naturally caught my eye!  I wanted a sweet fall drink, but was not quite in the mood for the warm ciders and mulled wines just yet.  I stumbled upon this cocktail recipe and at first glance of the ingredients I thought…..how in the world do these work together in the same drink?  And the answer is BRILLIANTLY!!!  This is my absolute new favorite fall drink!  The tequila does something to mellow out the sweetness of the cider.  The cassis deepens the color of the drink. (Look at the color of the pitcher of cider in the background compared to what’s in the glass!)  And the lemon juice adds a bright freshness to it all!  This is extremely refreshing and not overly sweet.  I’ll definitely be drinking this until cider season is over!

So as I was on my deck taking pictures…..look who crashed the photo shoot…..LITERALLY!

This poor little guy tried to enter my family room via a closed window!  He fell to the deck, stunned, and I feared that he was injured.  One of his legs looked a little puffier than the other.  And he just sat there for the longest time…breathing kind of fast….and unable or unwilling to fly.  I was on my belly right in front of him taking this picture.  He didn’t look hurt…but he wouldn’t move!  So I went inside and got online and got the numbers for the animal rescue in my area.  I debated for a minute.  I thought, what if he could never fly again.  Maybe I could keep him and take care of him.  So I named him Bandit (look at the area around his eyes).  But then I realized, that I had no way of assessing whether he was truly injured or not.  So just as I began to dial the phone….he turned, got his puffy leg back into position…and flew away!  I hope I see Bandit again one day.  But I don’t think I will.  He’s so much better off in his own world than mine.

So enjoy this drink while listening to a clip from THE DIXIE CHICKS.  And one of my favorite songs on so many levels LET HIM FLY.  Have a beautiful weekend everyone!