Fall is officially here, my friends, and no one does fall like New York. To celebrate the turn of the seasons and the new release of our brand-new book, XOXO, A Cocktail Book, we’re mixing up a delight-fall cocktail worthy of the Upper East Side. If you’re a fan of cooler weather, hot buttered rum, or Gossip Girl, we know you’ll love it.

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Red-Hot Revenge

(aka Hot Buttered Rum)

Spotted: one former insider getting the cold shoulder and a frosty reception. I guess your friends aren’t as forgiving as you thought they’d be. Poor baby. You could pack up your bags and admit defeat. Or you could kill them with kindness. But there’s always our favorite tactic for melting a cold heart: blackmail. There’s nothing like a little tit for tat to warm friends up and bring them around. After all, nothing bonds on the Upper East Side like being under each other’s thumbs.

1 teaspoon soft butter

1 teaspoon brown sugar

dash of allspice

dash of ground cinnamon

dash of ground nutmeg

splash of vanilla extract

2 ounces dark rum

5 ounces hot water

Combine the butter, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract in the bottom of a clear glass coffee mug and muddle well. Add the rum, and then hot water. Stir and serve.

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For over 100 spring, summer, winter, and fall cocktails–not to mention a healthy dose of with and drama–check out XOXO, A Cocktail Book.