My dear friend Elise gifted me a bottle of Patron Citronge. Up until then I had never heard of it before so it was time to start experimenting. There are so many great warm weather cocktails out there. But what about those of us caught in the polar vortex? I made it my mission to make something just as delicious for the colder months. I figured that Patron Citronge would pair well with citrus fruits and since oranges are in season (and on sale) during the winter that is where it began.  To really hit home with the winter theme, I decided to add few drops of vanilla flavor to gives it a rich, woody taste. A new cocktail was born, The Winter Cocktail.  I am excited to share it with you! I tested it on my book club girls and they approved.

Here is what you need:
– Freshly squeezed orange juice
– Freshly squeezed lemon juice
– Gin
– Aperol
– Patron Citronge
– Vanilla flavor
– Cocktail shaker (My sister in law Samantha got me this one from Anthro! Isn’t it so cute?!) You must squeeze the juice yourself otherwise it won’t taste nearly as good.  Back away from the Tropicana people.  Add 4oz of orange juice and 2oz of lemon juice to your cocktail shaker.  (This usually amounts to 1 orange and 1 lemon – which makes it easy!)  Now add 2oz of gin, 1 oz of Parton Citronge, 1oz of Aperol and 1/2 a teaspoon of Vanilla flavor!  Add 2 handfuls of ice to your shaker.  Shake it like a polaroid picture until it is cold! Serve straight up. (Something to try when it gets warmer – omit the vanilla and serve on the rocks!)Is it 5:00pm yet?  If you test it out, let me know how it goes!