issue 12 / volume 41 Cider cocktails » Entertain in seasonal style Sophie Isbister Life & Style Editor Mlifeandstyle @theotherpress.ca sually when it comes time for autumn and winter I push hot and hearty, booze- filled drinks, like coffee and Baileys, or my signature “killer mulled wine.” However, lately I’ve been really into cider cocktails. These drinks will take your typical cider to a whole new level, combining the crisp strong, full taste of liquor. Not to mention they make a good is more fun than introducing even heard of. Here’s what I'll be serving up at all my holiday functions. The Apple Pie To make this tasty drink (which tastes exactly like its name), you'll need a few cans of dry cider (I like Strongbow : or the local, Okanagan-made : Lonetree Cider) and some : Fireball cinnamon-spiced : whisky. Simply pour the cider : over ice, top with a shot (or two!) : of Fireball, and then add your : garnish. For garnish, because the : : Fireball makes the drink quite : sweet, I like to keep it simple : with just a dusting of cinnamon : ora thin slice of Granny Smith : apple. So simple! So yum! Cranberry Mulled Cider Okay, okay, I know I said these weren't going to be your apple notes of the cider with the : typical drinks. But combining : the cider with cranberry juice : isa great refreshing twist ona ice-breaker for parties—nothing : holiday classic. Plus, it's big- : batch, easy as heck, and keeps someone to a drink they've never : the party flowing. Simply combine, ina large : pot on the stove, three parts : hard apple cider (get the two- : litre bottle) to two parts pure : cranberry juice, a packet of : mulling spice (readily available : at most grocery stores this time : of year), and a half acup of : sugar (or to taste). For optional : garnish and colour, add some : sliced apples, fresh cranberries, : or sliced oranges. Heat over low : heat for a few hours, stirring : occasionally to dissolve the : sugar. Don't let it boil! : The Pom Pomme This drink is not only : adorable and delicious, its name : is super fun to say! It’s the most : complicated and classic of all, : and thus, you will need a few : ingredients as well as a cocktail > shaker. To make (two at a time) : you will need: two ounces : pomegranate juice, two ounces : ginger liqueur (like Giffard’s : Ginger of the Indies, available > at BC Liquor Stores), one ounce : apple liqueur, and a super-dry : apple cider. To make, fill your : cocktail shaker with ice and add : the pomegranate juice and the : liqueurs. Shake it up, the pour : into two martini glasses, and top : each glass with a few ounces of : your ice cold apple cider. Serve them up, and : remember to enjoy responsibly! life & style // 17 Thinking outside the gift box » Different and exciting presents for this season Mercedes Deutscher Staff Writer o you remember every Christmas present you’ve ever received? I don’t. Material objects pass through and out of our lives as the years go by. I have very few of the gifts that I received 10 years ago. We lose things or our homes. Technology breaks and goes obsolete. Unless it holds some sort of sentimental value, it will likely be gone ina : few years. How do we prevent this : from happening to the gifts : we give to our loved ones? It’s : simple; we think outside the : gift box. Here are some tips : on how to immortalize the : presents you give to those you : love. First of all, don’t buy : presents for every single friend. : hrist have to get rid of items because : The lon Ber your Christmas .. + shopping list becomes, the we run out of room forthemin : 1 to : lower quality gifts you can : afford (or the less time you : have to make them). If you : have friends who you enjoy but : aren't overly close to, consider : baking them some goodies, : getting them some chocolate, : or offering to take them ona : coffee date. It still shows that : you were thinking about them : without hurting your wallet. As : : well, it may be a relief to your : friend. After all, haven't we all : been in that awkward situation : : where we feel obligated to get : someone a gift because they : got us one? When deciding on what to get who for Christmas, : think about their interests, : their needs, and your shared : memories with them. For example, if your friend loves to : paint, gift them some supplies; : they'll be sure to use them. : Gift a framed picture of your : favourite memory with Mom, : or better yet, a photo album. If : your cousin is a coffee fanatic : but is stuck with a barely- : functioning coffee pot, replace it with a French press. While on the topic of memories, use Christmas : as an opportunity to create : more. Rather than something : physical, treat a loved one : to tickets to a concert or : performance. It will leave you : with memories and something to talk about. You could also : help someone build their : interests, such as paying for : some guitar lessons for your : rockstar sibling. Quality will always beat : out quantity. Instead of : showering someone with four : cheap knick-knacks, give them : one present that they simply : cannot forget. It is those who think outside the gift box whose : presents will last through : the ages, whether it will be : continually used or just talked : about for years to come. Those are the gifts we will remember. L&S Listed: 10 reasons I'm not leaving my Sophie Isbister Life & Style Editor Mlifeandstyle @theotherpress.ca R= about now is the time of year when not even the promise of a full day of classes can entice me from my cozy bed. So, I’m not leaving my house. Here are 10 reasons why—maybe they will serve as handy excuses for you, too. 1. My cat is lonely. 2. New episode of Scandal on the PVR. 3. My eyebrows are out of control. 4. My Razor scooter is in the shop. 6. It’s a “must wash hair” day. house 7. Catching up on my open tabs. Meee e cence reece en ee renee secrete eres eseseesees 8. Everything I touch turns to Skittles. g. The evil clown who murdered my family is very close to finding me and finishing the job. 10. Chemistry midterm tomorrow.