Easing into Winter 

I used to resist the changing seasons. I would do my best to fight against the loss of summer to fall, but not as hard as fall to winter. Perhaps arriving at middle age, or surviving a pandemic (or both), has brought about a new appreciation for each season’s arrival. So much so that I have developed a way of celebrating these transitions. A cocktail calendar, if you will. It morphs one drink into another as it fits in with the changing weather. Here’s a look at what will be in my glass during the next few months:

Now – mid December: The Boulevardier 
As we start the inevitable path into winter, my cocktail choice for fall, the Negroni, made from equal parts gin, bitter liqueur (Campari), and sweet vermouth (Cocchi Torino), takes a darker turn into a Boulevardier, which replaces the gin for bourbon (Maker’s Mark). Garnish: Orange