Ms Scarlett's Scarlett Spice Cocktail

For my Clue cocktail party, I served one drink and one hors d'oeuvre for each of the six murder suspects in the boardgame. Ms Scarlett is based on the femme fatale archetype, so I wanted something a little bubbly, a little sweet, and a little spicy. My party was held in October, so something with fall flavors also seemed appealing to me.

Ms Scarlett, put down that candlestick! I think you've had quite enough to drink!

Scarlett Spice Cocktail

• 1 oz Cranberry spice syrup (recipe below)
• 1.5 oz rum
• 1/2 cup Sparkling hard apple cider

Pour ingredients into a glass half-filled with ice, and stir to combine. Garnish with cranberries.

For the Cranberry Spice Syrup

• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1 cardamom pod
• 1-inch cube of ginger, sliced into thin pieces

Simmer the ingredients in a small sauce pan for 15 minutes, then cool. Remove spices and transfer to a bottle.