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The flavors of fall are unmistakable; apple, cinnamon, and ginger are all tastes to look forward to as the leaves fall, and they’re inevitably integrated into recipes for breakfasts, desserts, and even cocktails.

At Burtons Grill in Peabody, restaurant manager Sarah Matthews understands these flavors, which she calls “warming, rich, comforting, and inviting.”  She says, “Drinks should hint at [those characteristics] without being overbearing.”

This same description can be applied to the bar at Burtons, located on the lower level of the Nordstrom wing at the Northshore Mall. The 32-seat bar is comfortable and accommodating, while the 10-table lounge provides ample space for customers to enjoy a specialty cocktail.

The cocktail menu at Burtons changes seasonally and is “an eclectic mix of [drinks from] many a Burton employee,” says Matthews. One of those employees is Chris Little, the general manager at Burtons Grill in Burlington. “Chris’s specialty is taking classic drinks and puting a new, trendy twist on them,” Matthews says.

One such twist Little has successfully carried out is the Absolut Kraken Apple martini. Employing numerous flavors of autumn, the drink is spicier and has a much fuller flavor than a typical fruity martini, making it the perfect complement to some of Burtons’s richer dishes. The dark Kraken rum brings in the flavor of allspice, and the apple vodka has the crispness and tartness of the fruit itself. Meanwhile, the Domaine de Canton, a ginger liqueur, and the cinnamon-sugar rim add a touch of sweetness, while the white cranberry juice enhances the other flavors without overpowering them. The result is a cocktail with the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness—a comforting combination that’s perfect for the season when summer has faded and winter starts to creep in. burtonsgrill.com.

Absolut Kraken Apple Martini

makes one serving

3/4 oz. Kraken Black Rum

1 oz. Absolut Orient Apple Vodka

1/4 oz. Domaine de Canton

1/4 oz. Agave nectar 

3 oz. white cranberry juice

1 fresh Gala apple slice

Cinnamon-sugar