Spiced Affair Recipe

Make quick cinnamon agave

Combine 0.25 cup water and 0.75 oz agave nectar in a small saucepan with 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon (or one small cinnamon stick). Warm gently over low heat, stirring until the agave dissolves and the mixture is aromatic, about 2–3 minutes. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let steep 5 minutes. If you used a cinnamon stick, remove it. Cool to room temperature before using. Yields roughly 1.5–2 oz.

Infuse rum briefly with star anise (optional, quick method)

Place 1 whole star anise in a small measure with the 2 oz Towpath Spiced Rum and let steep 3–5 minutes to lift a subtle licorice note. Remove the star anise before shaking. (If you prefer a stronger anise character, steep longer or prepare a larger batch overnight in the bottle and strain.)

Chill glass

Place a martini coupe or chilled cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink. Empty before straining cocktail in.

Shake

Add the infused or plain 2 oz Towpath Spiced Rum, 0.75 oz cinnamon agave syrup, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, and ice (about 1 cup) to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well chilled and the shaker is frosty.

Double strain & serve

Double-strain the shaken cocktail through a fine mesh strainer into the chilled coupe or martini glass to remove ice shards and any residual star anise bits.

Garnish

Float a single whole star anise on the surface and place a lime wheel on the rim or slide it onto the glass. Serve immediately.