Farmhouse Red Blend Recipe

1. Prepare fruit and aromatics

Thinly slice the orange, lemon, and apple. Stud the orange or apple slices with whole cloves if desired (push cloves through peel or flesh so they stay in the mixture). Reserve the extra rosemary sprigs and garnish slices for serving.

2. Measure out the red wine, apple cider, and bourbon so everything is ready to combine.

3. Gently warm and infuse

In a medium saucepan set over low heat, combine the red wine, apple cider, maple syrup, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar and syrup. Add the sliced orange, lemon, apple, rosemary sprigs, and whole cloves. Warm the mixture slowly — do not boil — until steam just begins to rise and the sugar is fully dissolved, about 8–10 minutes. Warming releases aromatics and mellows alcohol without excessive evaporation.

4. After 8–10 minutes, taste and adjust sweetness (add up to 1 tablespoon more maple syrup or brown sugar if you prefer sweeter). If you want a stronger bourbon presence, stir in the bourbon now and warm another 1 minute. If you prefer the bourbon kept brighter and more alcoholic, add it after the mixture is removed from heat.

5. Infuse off heat

Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture steep for 15–20 minutes to deepen flavors. This also allows the fruit to release more juice and the rosemary and cloves to infuse.

6. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher, pressing lightly on the fruit to extract juices. Discard solids (or reserve a few slices for garnish).

7. If serving chilled: cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours (or overnight) until well chilled. When ready to serve, add ice to glasses, pour the chilled Farmhouse Red Blend into each glass (about 3/4 full), and top with a splash (about 2 tablespoons) of club soda or sparkling water if desired for brightness.

8. If serving warm: reheat gently on low until warm but not simmering, then ladle into heatproof glasses or mugs. Garnish each serving with an orange or apple slice and a rosemary sprig.

9. Garnish and finish: place an orange or apple slice and a rosemary sprig into each glass. Serve immediately. Makes about 6 cocktails (assuming ~6 oz per serving).