There’s something magical about autumn in Westbrook—the air turns crisp, leaves ignite in a riot of color, and everywhere you look is inspiration for the senses. This month, the Captain’s Cocktail is a true celebration of the season: Warm Spiced Cider Toddy, bursting with local flavor and the spirit of New England adventure.
The Spark of Orchard Season: Meri & Marcus’s Tradition
It’s become a cherished ritual for Meri and Marcus to welcome October with a visit to Bishop’s Orchards and Lyman Orchards. The traditions began on their very first autumn together, hand in hand under arching branches heavy with apples, searching for the perfect pick. The joy of crisp apples and homemade cider donuts was only sweetened by the warmth of shared laughter and the promise of the season’s best pie for dessert on the portside deck at The Captain Stannard.
Year after year, the couple returned—sometimes with friends, sometimes just the two of them—always eager to fill their basket and their hearts with a bit of autumn magic. Every stroll through the orchard brought new stories, new memories, and a renewed appreciation for the flavor, coziness, and community that make these Connecticut orchards truly special.
Inspired by their own adventures—and those shared by guests—and the CT fall tradition of Gilmore Girls experiences, Meri and Marcus crafted this month’s cocktail with Bishop’s Orchard cider, the essence of warm spices, and a dash of local bourbon. For Meri, the finishing touch is orange peel; for Marcus, a splash of maple syrup. For both, it’s the taste of fall, home, and togetherness.
Warm Spiced Cider Toddy Recipe
- 2 cups fresh Bishops Orchard apple cider
- 1.5 oz bourbon (try Litchfield Distillery)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Orange peel
- 2 cloves
- Optional: dash of maple syrup
Heat cider gently with cinnamon stick, orange peel, and cloves. Stir in bourbon and maple syrup if desired. Garnish and serve steaming, best enjoyed by the fire after a day of apple-picking adventures.
Apple Picking: A Fall Highlight
Apple picking is the perfect autumn tradition—Bishop’s Orchards and nearby Lyman Orchards, named among the nation’s top 10, offer more than apples: cider donuts, home-baked pies, and moments to savor. Whether wandering the orchards or gathering around the inn’s firepit, every day is a new chapter in the season’s story.
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