Editor’s Note

A Night Out, At Home

As I write this, no one is exactly sure how the pandemic will shape our holiday season. But one thing is for certain: Staying home more than we are used to is going to be a choice many of us will make.

During the spring lockdown, we cooked, watched movies and gardened. With gardening not an option in the winter, how about gathering around the home bar for the holidays? Even if it’s just you and your partner—or even just you!—the very act of mixing a drink in a cool, perfectly outfitted spot in your home is festive in and of itself.

To that end, our Collections department this month features six stellar examples of home bars, including a cocktail bar built right into a fireplace chimney. We also have combed some of the North’s best home elements stores to present five trendy bar accoutrements. If creating an entire home bar isn’t in the works this year, how about simply gifting yourself a top-ofthe-line cocktail shaker?

In this issue of Northern Home & Cottage, we also bring you stories about two homes (both entirely different) that make the idea of staying home oh-so-attractive.

Here’s wishing all of our readers a safe, healthy holiday season. Cheers to you with this wonderfully warming cocktail recipe from our friends at Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville.

Elizabeth Edwards is managing editor of Northern Home & Cottage. // lissa@traversemagazine.com

Winter Light

2

1

16

1 ounces Iron Fish Distillery Michigan Woodland Gin

ounce lavender simple syrup ounces Light of Day Organics Creamy Earl Grey Tea (brewed) ounce vanilla almond milk

Lavender sugar for the rim METHOD Wet the rim of a 20-ounce bar mug and swirl in lavender sugar to coat. Add gin, lavender syrup, brewed tea and almond milk. Stir to combine.

FOR THE LAVENDER SIMPLE SYRUP In a small saucepan, combine 1 tablespoon of dried lavender buds, 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring mixture to a boil until sugar completely dissolves. Allow syrup to cool and strain into mason jar.

FOR THE LAVENDER SUGAR With a mortar and pestle, crush 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds with 2 tablespoons of raw sugar. 12/17 FRENCH HOLIDAY DELAS WINE DINNER PALETTE BISTRO, PETOSKEY

MYNORTHTICKETS.COM 800.836.0717 125 PARK STREET TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49684