By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Halfway through each Bengals home game, the sun usually moves behind an upper deck at Paul Brown Stadium, which leaves my seat in the shade. In late-season games, that means it can quickly turn from toasty to brrrrr.

Whenever wide receiver Chad Johnson celebrates a touchdown by leaping the wall into my section of the end zone, I jump to my feet and scream with joy. But sometimes after the game, I warm up with another kind of good cheer - the winning combination of Stoli Cranberi Vodka and hot apple cider.

After the Battle of Ohio here on Dec. 28, consider celebrating the Bengals' victory over Cleveland by spiking a microwaved mug of apple cider with 3 tablespoons cranberry-flavored vodka ($17.90). I prefer Tastee pasteurized cider, made in Newcomerstown, Ohio. The sweet apple melds with the cranberry in the Stoli, and the finish of the cider is lengthened by the vodka.

In addition to warming your toes, this toddy soothes the throat. That might be helpful after telling Browns fans how to find their way home with their tails tucked between their legs.

Stoli Cranberi Cider Toddy

1 mug hot apple cider

11/2 ounces Stoli Cranberi Vodka

Stir and garnish with cinnamon stick. Makes 1 drink.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com