Celebrate spring with a nice sip
If you are in New York City, you know that Spring is officially here. And the only way to prepare for the warm weather is to pour a nice cold cocktail. And we have the perfect recipes to try.
First up is for the whiskey lovers and this recipe comes from Bearface Triple Oak. BEARFACE Triple Oak is a single grain Canadian whisky, elementally aged in the Canadian wilderness producing complex flavors developed through exposure to the fluctuating temperatures of the changing seasons. There is no better way to enjoy this bold Canadian whisky than in the BEARFACE Old Fearless cocktail, a perfectly balanced maple-forward spin on an old fashioned.
The BEARFACE Old Fearless
Ingredients:
- 2 oz BEARFACE Triple Oak Whisky
- 2 dashes of charred cedar bites
- 1 bar spoon of maple syrup
- Orange peel for the twist
Method: Stir all 3 ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, strain into a rocks glass over large ice cubes and garnish with an orange twist.
And if you are a fan of Remy Martin, we have some new cocktails from them you can try.
The Rémy Ginger
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ oz Rémy Martin VSOP
- Ginger Ale
- Angostura bitters
- Lemon wedge
Method: Pour Rémy Martin VSOP over ice cubes. Top with ginger ale. Add two drops of Angostura bitters. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
The One Collins
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Rémy Martin VSOP
- ⅓ oz orgeat syrup
- ⅓ oz verjus
- Ginger beer
- Fresh ginger and black peppercorns
Method: Combine the cognac, syrup and grape juice in a tumbler glass filled with ice. Top with ginger beer and stir with a spoon. Garnish with a slice of fresh ginger and a few black peppercorns.
The Sangria
Ingredients:
- 3 oz Rémy Martin VSOP
- 3 oz Cointreau
- 12 oz Tempranillo
- 2 oz Lime juice
- 4 oz Orange juice
- Angostura bitters
- Simple syrup
Method: Build all ingredients, including ice, in a pitcher. Add 3 oz of Rémy Martin VSOP, 3 oz of Cointreau, 12 oz of Tempranillo, 2 oz of lime juice, 4 oz of orange juice, and 8 dashes of Angostura bitters. Garnish with fresh sliced fruit. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop. Serve chilled, over ice.
Next up we have two recipes from Casa Noble Tequila which features the Blanco and the Reposado. The Casa Noble Blanco tequila is elegant and exquisitely balanced to offer a beautiful fruit and citrus forward expression with sweet agave & soft herbal notes. The Casa Noble Reposado is aged for 364 days in new French oak barrels. The barrels are sourced from respected cooprages across France including the renowned Taransaud in Cognac & Nadalié in Bordeaux. The finish is long and savory, paired with sweet cooked agave-flavors and subtle notes from the barrel.
Casa Noble Strawberry Margarita
Ingredients:
- 5 oz Casa Noble Blanco (SRP: $43.99)
- .75 oz Cinnamon Syrup
- .75 oz Lime Juice
- 3 muddled strawberries
- .25 oz Campari
- 3 dashes chocolate bitters
Method:
- Add strawberries (with stems & greens removed) to shaking tin and muddle
- Add all other ingredients to tin
- Add Ice and shake vigorously
- Double Strain over rocks into rocks glass with salted rim (optional)
- Garnish with Strawberry
Limonada
Ingredients:
- 5oz Casa Noble Reposado (SRP: $49.99)
- 1/2oz Brandy
- 1/2oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Method: Combine all ingredients together in a shaker with ice, shake, and double strain to rock glass. Garnish with a dehydrated lemon.
The next cocktail comes a brand we recently got to try and is one of the higher end tequilas we would recommend.
Cierto Calamansi Paloma
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Cierto Tequila Private Collection Reposado
- ½ oz Pamplemousse Juice
- ¼ oz Calamansi Juice
- Top with Fever Tree Sparking Pink Grapefruit
- Garnish: Salted Rim
Method: Add Cierto Tequila Private Collection Reposado, Pamplemousse and Calamansi to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well-chilled and strain into a rocks glass with a salted rim over fresh ice. Top with Grapefruit Soda and serve.
And if you’re looking for something a little dirty, or maybe even filthy, Filthy has some mixes to try that are easy to use and delicious.
Filthy Margarita
Ingredients:
3oz Filthy Margarita Mix
1 ½ oz Tequila (of your choice)
Method: Mix Filthy Margarita Mix and Tequila in a drink shaker. Rim your preferred glass with salt or sugar and serve over ice. Enjoy!
For the ones who love gin, we have a wonderful cocktail from Empress 1908 Gin. Empress is by far one of the prettiest spirits we have tried having this deep indigo color in the bottle that transforms in color once you add in mixers. Empress gets its unique Indigo color from Butterfly Pea Blossom, a flower with a warm herbal earthiness and softness that contributes to the texture of the gin. Its flavor is similar to that of angelica in other gins. The deep indigo color in Empress 1908 Gin ranges to bright lavender, soft pink, or fuchsia depending on the mixer, adding to the rich sensory experience of enjoying an Empress 1908 cocktail. Since no artificial coloring or stabilizers are used, the color may fade over time, but the flavor will last forever.
EMPRESS & TONIC
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3 oz Premium Tonic Water
- 1 Grapefruit Slide
Method: Build on ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.
EMPRESS LAVENDER LEMONADE
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz Lavender Honey Syrup
- 2 oz Lemonade Lavender Sprig
Method: Fill a stemless wine glass with crushed ice. Shake lemonade and syrup on ice and strain into the glass. Layer Empress 1908 Gin on top and add more crushed ice. Garnish with a lavender sprig.
And last up for this roundup is the staple wine selection we have. Spring is officially rosé season too so check out some of our recommendations here:
Whispering Angel
The best-selling rosé in the US, this celebrity favorite rosé boasts a sophisticated, yet uncomplicated style that’s credited with launching the “rosé Renaissance” 15+ years ago. Perfect for any celebration, the fruit-forward, creamy palate is balanced with a crisp acidity and notes of red berries, florals and discreet hint of spice. An apple tart, or dessert of your choice, complements Whispering Angel’s tasting notes perfectly.
Cloudy Bay
Cloudy Bay’s Sauvignon Blanc has been the brand’s flagship wine since 1985 and put New Zealand on the wine map, forever changing the perception of ‘new world’ wines and Sauvignon Blanc as a variety. The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc has a zesty and vibrant nose. This Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with a charcuterie board, as it contains notes of juicy citrus and makrut lime underpinned by subtle white nectarine and passionfruit notes. The palate is mouthwatering, with ripe vibrant passionfruit and citrus at the fore.
An elegant wine from Montalcino. Lush tropical fruit aromas and flavors, balanced with crisp citrus notes, reflect its unique Tuscan character and distinguish San Angelo Pinot Grigio from its northern counterparts. On the nose, this wine reveals a fresh bouquet with notes of pear, peach, anise and honey. On the palate, this wine is fruity, crisp and very refreshing.
PAIR WITH: Light fish or white meat dishes, such as swordfish roulade or chicken in lemon sauce
An aromatic Mediterranean white from Southeastern Sicily – Pantelleria Island. Lighea has a bright straw yellow color with greenish hues. The nose offers a rich and fragrant bouquet where the classic notes of orange blossom are combined with citrus hints (cedar and bergamot) and exotic fruit (lychee). On the palate the fruity and floral notes resurface accompanied by a marked freshness, with good persistence and a pleasant mineral finish.
PAIR WITH: All types of oily fish, baked pasta in white sauce, fried fish.
Sonoma-Cutrer Winemaker’s Release 2019 Grand Brut Rose
The latest addition to California winery Sonoma-Cutrer’s Winemaker’s Release series is the 2019 Grand Brut Rosé. The Winemaker’s Release is a series of wines that showcases Sonoma-Cutrer’s commitment to artisan craftsmanship and showcases their unique, high-quality production practices. The 2019 Grand Brut Rosé is light pink in color, with aromas of hibiscus flower, red-sour cherry, and a touch of watermelon, which are complemented with fresh brioche bread and mandarin citrus notes. On the palate, the wine features notes of mandarin, kumquat, citrus fruit, a touch of wet stone minerality, and light cherry flavors that are balanced with Sonoma-Cutrer’s signature acidity.
PAIR WITH: Fruit Tarts, Goat Cheese, Oysters
A fresh, juicy white from Maremma, Tuscany and takes on a double meaning. The first represents the name of the coastal sea birds and the second meaning, the gossiper. Think of the sweet little old nonnas in the square chatting about the goings-on of town. Once you taste it, everyone will be talking about La Pettegola. On the nose, this wine is delightfully fresh with an intense fruit forward bouquet of exotic fruit and spices typical of the Mediterranean coast.
PAIR WITH: Fish-based dishes or vegetarian recipes. Perfect for an aperitif too.
A fresh and fruity Grillo from Contessa Entellina estate and neighboring territories, Southwestern Sicily. Grillo is an ancient autochthonous Sicilian grape variety, but it is also a cute little animal (the cricket) that brings good luck. The name sur sur, that means cricket, comes from the classical Arabic language which was once also spoken in Sicily. The voice of spring, with its scents and colors, is depicted on the label. The nose offers a fresh bouquet with notes of white fleshed fruit (peach and cantaloupe melon) combined with scents of wildflowers and mint. The fruity notes resurface on the palate with pleasant freshness and smoothness.
PAIR WITH: Seafood appetizers, vegetarian first courses and roast fish. Try also with grilled white meats and fresh goat cheese.
Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast 2021 Chardonnay
This wine has all of the elements of a classic Chardonnay. It is a wine you serve when you want to show people you care about them. Or, sometimes it’s just for you – because you’ve earned it. Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a beautiful pale, medium straw color. On the nose, you are enveloped with stone fruit aromas of white peach and apricot along with vanilla laced oak spice, toasted nuts, light caramel and subtle notes of cinnamon, clove, and an underlying light floral note. The creamy richness of this medium-bodied wine boasts flavors of ripe pear and peach. This is an elegantly structured Chardonnay that offers a lot of finesse and a focused balance from start to finish. You will find Sonoma-Cutrer’s signature vibrant acidity well-balanced with nice length that rounds out to a pleasant, lingering finish of barrel spice.
PAIR WITH: Chicken, Risotto, Seafood
A semi-sweet rosé sparkling from Piedmont, Northern Italy. Made from the Brachetto grape, the nose is highly aromatic with hints of sweet grapefruit, orange blossom flowers and ripe melon with crisp acidity and softness on the palate.
PAIR WITH: Fresh and dry patisserie. To be experienced with starters with semi-aged cheeses for an unconventional pairing.
Donnafugata Rosa Dolce & Gabbana
Rosé from Contessa Entellina estate and neighboring territories; Eastern Sicily – North side of Etna; South Western Sicily. Bright pink in color, it has an elegant bouquet of jasmine and rose petals, with delicate fruity notes of peach and white-fleshed fruits. Of pleasant fragrance, minerality and finesse, it surprises with remarkable persistence.
PAIR WITH: Appetizers, raw fish, vegetarian dishes and delicate meats
Sonoma-Cutrer 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Sonoma-Cutrer 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir is a beautiful and delicate example of why Russian River Valley Pinot Noir makes a wonderful rosé. The beautiful, light salmon color of the wine catches the light in the glass and opens up with aromas of tangerine, pink grapefruit, strawberry, raspberry and a light hint of rose petal. A crisp, refreshing mouthfeel accentuates the fresh fruit flavors of citrus, red berry fruit with a tropical twist that leads to a long, juicy and tangy finish. It is the perfect warm weather wine to sip on all summer long.
PAIR WITH: Chicken, Prawns, Risotto, Salmo
And last on our list is an old favorite of ours, WESAKE. WESAKE is a premium, delicious sake that comes in a can so that you can enjoy anywhere and anytime. Founded by Pablo Rivera in 2021 with Brooklyn Peltz Beckham joining as Partner & Co-Founder in late 2022, the brand was born out of a love for the traditional Japanese beverage and a desire to connect with modern consumers. WESAKE is a Junmai Ginjo-style sake made with only four simple ingredients: rice, water, koji, and yeast. At 13% ABV and a 200ml portable canned design, WESAKE is a fresh, exciting, and versatile option for almost any occasion.
