Capricorn is the sign of restriction, constraint, saving, and generally squeezing the most out of anything they get their hooves on. That includes the $20 specialty cocktail they splurged on in that fashionable bar. They’ll make sure they enjoy every last drop of it, and even wait patiently for the ice to melt, and then savor the diluted cocktail water too. Yup, they’ll nurse that baby for two hours before they spring for another one! What better symbolizes restraint than handcuffs? You can bet all those Cappies out there have used a pair of them at least once. And I’m not talking about getting arrested either… The sour, harsh, unpleasant taste of a raw quince belongs to the cranky old lady of the zodiac–Capricorn! However, when the yellowish colored, ripe fruit is boiled down to a jelly, it’s aroma becomes quite intoxicating with a deliciously tangy flavor. The jelly eaten alone is said to soothe a sore throat. And if you can stand it, drinking freshly extracted quince juice is believed to ease nausea. Of course the best way to enjoy this pear-shaped, apple-like fruit, is in a cocktail!

QUINCE WINCE

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 1/2 oz Vodka
- 1/3 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz quince jam or jelly

DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice for ten seconds. Strain into a chilled (preferably) martini glass.

* Simple syrup is a mixture of 50% water and 50% sugar. just place the sugar and water in a leak-proof container and shake away, every twenty minutes or so, until the sugar is dissolved. No need for sticky saucepots and hot stoves here!

(Recipe created by Gwen Sutherland Kaiser)

ALSO TRY: Poached Quinces