Sarasota's Winter Warmer Recipe

"This is a drink my family and I used to make all the time after a long day of skiing. Now obviously, when I was younger, I didn't have it with bourbon and brandy, but it became one of my favorite drinks when I got older. Perfect for holiday entertaining, or nice for a family gathering. And during the winter here in FL, yes ... we do have winter, it is a perfect cold weather drink. If you make it ahead, the ginger ale and lemon will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. This will make approximately 8 (12 oz) mugs."

Original is 1-8 serving

Metric US

I've Tried It

Ingredients

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1 liter Vernos ginger ale (Canada Dry is also a good substitute, but not as good), 8 oz per drink; 1 liter will make 8 1/2 drinks
12 ounces bourbon whiskey (1 1/2 ounces/1 jigger per drink)
8 ounces brandy (1 ounce per drink)

1/2 cup orange blossom honey (or any honey is fine; 1 tablespoon per drink)
1-2 lemons (for a whole batch you need 1 whole lemmon to simmer in the drink as it warms up - and 1 lemon sliced to garnish; for individual drinks, you will need 2 lemon slices, 1 to simmer in the drink as it warms up - and 1 as a garnish)

Nutritional

Serving Size: 1 (1051.3 g)
Calories 416.5
Total Fat - 0.6 g
Saturated Fat - 0.1 g
Cholesterol - 0 mg
Sodium - 156.8 mg
Total Carbohydrate - 107.4 g
Dietary Fiber - 3.8 g
Sugars - 94.4 g
Protein - 1.5 g
Calcium - 39.1 mg
Iron - 2.5 mg
Vitamin C - 1.2 mg
Thiamin - 0 mg

Step by Step Method

Step 1

For A Full Batch ... Add the liter of ginger ale to a large pot; cut 1 whole lemon into quarters, then squeeze the lemon into the Vernos and throw the lemon rind in as well. Add the honey, bourbon and brandy and simmer on medium low heat until it is warm. Remove the lemon you squeezed in, and add the fresh sliced lemon. Serve right from the pot, or transfer to a crock pot to serve and keep it warm.

Step 2

For Individual Drinks ... Add 8 oz of ginger ale to a large coffee mug; add approximately 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or 1 slice - just squeeze the slice in and add the rind as well. Also add the honey, bourbon and brandy. Microwave on medium heat for 2-3 minutes until warm. Remove the lemon you squeezed in while heating and replace with a fresh lemon slice.