- A serene view helps the cider be that much better.
This morning’s walk to the Intellegentsia coffee house was interrupted by the Chicago marathon. Everywhere we tried to walk, our path was blocked with thousands of runners being cheered on my a supportive crowd, offering an endless supply of water cups. Dance music filled the air to add another layer of, “You can DO it!” attitude to the environment.
So we made a contingency plan, and I’m so glad we did. Our detour led us to one of the first locations my children had tried during our vacation: GrahamWich, a Graham Elliot restaurant that offered a light breakfast menu and was right around the corner. The quiche with Swiss cheese was delightful, and the crust especially flaky and tender.
But the apple cider was amazing. I took a second sip. Again, the tangy freshness sat with my taste buds but I couldn’t really distinguish any special notes. “Must be the apples,” I thought. No, the third sip revealed the secret. On the back of my palate, right before I was tempted with another bit of quiche I found it: rosemary. Notes of rosemary danced across my tongue, and I smiled.
I love a surprise in a warm cup of cheer. And I love an idea I can use in my own kitchen. And I love an idea I can pass along to YOU. So, the next time you warm up or prepare fresh apple cider, toss in a bouquet of rosemary for a few minutes. Your taste buds will be glad you did.
- Grahamwich on a Sunday morning.