Drink of the Week: Avec Fuji Apple and Cardamom Mixer

The marathon drinking season that is the winter holidays calls for careful pacing and moments of respite. Luckily, these days there’s a myriad of options on the market that I would be proud to pour for guests or simply sip myself. The most recent example to cross my desk is the new seasonal flavor from Avec. The Brooklyn-based brand launched a few years ago with the ambition to make better mixers. They succeeded admirably, concocting tasty, low-sugar flavor combos that are equally enjoyable sipped solo. (I’m partial to the Spiced Mango and Passion Fruit).

For the new release, Fuji Apple and Cardamom, Avec partnered with Yes! Apples, a network of family-owned farms in upstate New York. A barely sweet blend of Fuji apple juice with sparkling water and extracts of cardamom, tarragon, orange blossom, lemon verbena, and vanilla, the fizzy beverage is reminiscent of a spiced cider with a subtly chic vibe. And should you feel so inclined, it would certainly be delicious mixed with bourbon or rye. $36/12-pack, avecdrinks.com