Whether or not I'm ready, it's now officially fall! It’s the season when nearly everywhere you turn, recipes are popping up for pies, muffins, breads and cookies with that sweet, spiced pumpkin flavor. Despite feeling like summer flew by a little too quickly, it’s my favorite season - and I can't help but join in the autumn obsession.

I've been in a "fruit plus herb" rut lately. I love that combination (grapefruit and thyme, cherry and sage, etc), and you'll likely be seeing much more of it on the blog, but it was starting to feel like those were the only flavor pairings I could think of. When I was given the chance to come up with a cocktail recipe using Hangar 1 Straight Vodka, I promised myself I'd do something other than my go-to fruit and herb combo.

My husband says that wine cocktails make him think of episodes of Real Housewives. When I told him about this recipe, I think he pictured me lounging on the back deck, throwing back a few glasses, getting a foot massage and enjoying a gourmet lunch prepared by a personal chef. (Where the kids were in this imaginary scenario, I have no idea.)

OK, let me start off by admitting that I'm not a huge fan of cherry-flavored things. Whether it's Cherry Coke, Cherry Jolly Ranchers or cherry liqueur, I can't help but think about the cherry-flavored cough syrup I had to take when I was sick as a kid. That fake cherry flavoring simply isn't my thing.

I realize it's probably not the best to begin a blog post by explaining why I don't like the flavors I'm using, but this drink is nothing like that childhood medicine. There are no artificial flavorings happening here and it makes all the difference! Real cherries. Real vanilla. Really good.