The Knockturnal’s 2024 Spring Cocktail And Spirits Roundup

Enjoy the heat with a ice cold drink!

Whiskey

Russell’s Reserve 6-Year-Old Manhattan 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 parts Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Old Rye
  • 1 part 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso (sweet red vermouth)
  • 2 Dashes aromatic bitters
  • 1 Lemon twist

METHOD:   Add liquid ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.  Stir, and strain into a coupe glass.  Garnish with a lemon twist.

 

The Hoedown

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz High West Double Rye
  • 1 oz Ancho Reyes
  • 0.25 oz Fernet Branca
  • 0.50 oz ginger cinnamon balsamic syrup
  • 0.75 oz strawberry juice
  • 0.50 oz lemon juice
  • 3 dashes mezcal

 :

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, shake, strain into an old fashioned glass over large ice cubes. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.

 

Cowboy Coffee

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz High West Bourbon
  • .5 oz demerara simple syrup
  • 6 oz coffee
  • whipping cream, à la minute (“in the moment”)

 MethodAdd demerara simple syrup and bourbon to a goblet or mug. Fill with brewed coffee. Add a small amount of simple syrup to approximately 3 oz of whipping cream in a cocktail shaker. Dry shake (without ice) until stiff but still pourable. Float whipped cream on surface of drink.

 

Express Rider

Ingredients:

  • 0.50 oz High West Double Rye
  • 0.50 oz Fig-infused rye whiskey
  • 0.50 oz Highland Park 12
  • 0.50 oz five-spice-infused PX sherry
  • 0.25 oz Campari
  • 0.75 oz blood orange-infused Carpano Antica
  • 2 dash chocolate bitters

 Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, stir, strain into an old fashioned glass over large cubes. Garnish with a blood orange.

 

THE GLENMORANGIE MOSQUITO

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 oz Glenmorangie Original
  • 3/4 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 3 mint leaves
  • Club soda to taste

METHOD: Lightly muddle the mint with the simple syrup in a shaker. Add Glenmorangie Original, lime juice and ice, and give it a brief shake. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.

 

POSTAGE STAMP

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 oz Glenmorangie Original
  • 1/3 oz elderflower cordial
  • 1/3 oz orgeat
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 dash of orange bitters

METHODShake all ingredients with ice. Serve in a coupe. Garnish with a twist of orange zest on the rim of the glass.

 

The Photo Finish

Ingredients

Method: Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin with ice. Shake thoroughly, and strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange wheel.

 

If you are looking for a new whiskey to fall in love with, we are happy to introduce you to Blackened Whiskey Rye The Lightning.

The expression follows the highly acclaimed 2022 edition of Rye The Lightning, which received Gold from the John Barleycorn Awards, Best Finished Whiskey from Breaking Bourbon, a 93 rating from Whiskey Advocate, and was awarded the #14 spot on Whiskey Advocate’s 2022 Top 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of the World list. Given the overwhelmingly positive response, Blackened Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich sought to bottle lightning again with the latest iteration.

Another whiskey product we wanted to highlight is BSB Whiskey.  This whiskey is the creation of Spirits incubator WES Brands and award-winning actor, musician, and entrepreneur Jamie Foxx. Brown Sugar Blend (aka BSB) Whiskey, an ultra-smooth flavored whiskey that embodies of aromatic spice of cinnamon with the rich, comforting sweetness of brown sugar.

At 70 proof, it’s ultra-smooth flavored finish makes it perfect for sipping, ideal for shooting, and sharing in your favorite cocktails. BSB Whiskey 750ml retails for $24.99 across the United States. For more information, please visit www.BSBWhiskey.com

Tequila

La Batanga

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz El Tequileño Blanco
  • 0.25 oz Lime Juice
  • Top with Mexican Coca Cola
  • Margarita Salt (or coarse salt)

Glassware: Highball glass

Garnish: Lime wheel

Method: ​​Salt the rim of a highball glass and fill it with ice. Add El Tequileño Blanco and Lime juice. Top with Cola. Stir with a knife to keep it authentic to Don Javier’s recipe. Garnish, and enjoy!

 

Avo Colada

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Teremana Blanco
  • 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • ½ oz Agave
  • ½ an Avocado
  • 2 tbsp Coconut Yogurt

Glassware: Highball

Garnish: Lime

Method: Muddle. Shake. Strain over Fresh Ice. Top with Sparkling Mineral Water. Garnish with a lime.

 

Mana Daisy

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Teremana Blanco
  • 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
  • 3/4 oz Passion Fruit Syrup
  • Splash of Soda (added directly to tin before straining)

Garnish: Edible flower

Glassware: Coupe

Method: Place lemon juice, passion fruit syrup & Teremana Blanco into a shaker. Shake and add a splash of soda directly to tin before straining. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with edible flower.

 

Mana Spritz

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Teremana Blanco
  • 2 oz Fresh Lemonade
  • 2 oz Soda Water
  • 1/4 oz Grenadine

Glassware: Highball

Garnish: Lemon Wheel

Method: Combine Teremana, Lemonade and Soda Water in a highball glass over ice. Top with grenadine. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

 

 Mayenda Elevated Margarita

:

  • 5 oz Mayenda Blanco Tequila
  • 75 oz Agave Syrup
  • 75 oz Lime Juice
  • Hibiscus Powder Dusted Glass

:  Fill a shaker with ice, add all ingredients together and shake.  Strain into a shallow coupe glass.

 

Mayenda Hibiscus Old Fashioned

:

  • 2 oz. Mayenda Blanco Tequila
  • 25 Hibiscus-Agave Syrup
  • 2 dashes Mole Bitters
  • Grapefruit Twist Garnish
  • *Alternative garnish: Salted Lime Wheel

:  Add Mayenda Tequila Blanco and the hibiscus-agave syrup to a mixing glass with ice.  Add the bitters and stir together.  Pour over ice into a fluted double old-fashioned glass and garnish with a grapefruit peel.

 

La Margarita

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 2/3 Oz Volcan Tequila Blanco
  • 1 Oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • 2/3 Oz Agave Syrup
  • Salt for Rim

MethodPour ingredients into a glass with ice and stir gently. Strain chilled drink into a new glass with large ice cube and garnish with an orange twist.

 

Rosita

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 Oz Volcan Reposado
  • 1/2 Oz Sweet Vermouth H
  • 1/2 Oz Dry Vermouth
  • 1/2 Oz Campari
  • 1 Dash Angostura Bitters

MethodStir ingredients with cracked ice in a mixing tin until chilled. Strain into an old fashioned glass over cubed ice. Garnish with an orange (or lemon) twist.

 

Mezcal

Mezcal Negroni

Ingredients:

  • 1 part Del Maguey Mezcal
  • 1 part Sweet Vermouth
  • 1 part Amaro

Method:  Combine all parts.  Orange peel, for garnish

 

Mezcal Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ parts Altos Reposado Tequila
  • ½ part Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
  • ¼ part agave syrup
  • 4 drops Bob’s Chocolate Bitters

Method:  Combine all parts.  Add a slice of orange (optional) with Ice cubes

 

And if you are wondering how to prep for Cinco de Mayo, Busy Phillips has a way to ensure you have all your ‘key’ lime ingredients just in time for Cinco de Mayo.

As a kick-off to Cinco, starting April 24th, if you’ve forgotten your juiciest margarita ingredient, call the Altos Tequila Emergency HotLime (888-268-1261) to enter for a chance to win a Busy approved Altos Margarita Essentials package. Not only will a few callers get a chance to chat with Busy herself, but winners will receive the Margarita Essentials kit inclusive of cantaritos cups, lime squeezer, juicy limes and more to make a Busy inspired margarita.

Vodka

YoCo Vodka’s “Texas Hold ‘Em”

Ingredents

  • 1 oz YoCo Vodka
  • 1 oz bourbon
  • 1/2 oz honey syrup
  • 1/2 Amaro Nonino
  • 2 dashes cinnamon bitters

MethodAdd all ingredients to mixing glass, add ice and stir. Strain into old-fashioned glass with ice, and garnish with cherry.

 

YoCo Vodka’s “Cowboy Carter”

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 oz YoCo Vodka
  • 3/4 oz Mezcal
  • 1/2 oz Licor 43
  • 1/2 oz Lime
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

Method: Add all ingredients except bitters to cocktail shaker, and dry shake without ice for 10 rotations. Add ice, and shake well. Strain into coupe glass, and top with bitters.

Rum

Kraken Daiquiri

Ingredients

  • 3 parts The Kraken Gold Spiced Rum
  • 1.5 parts Lime Juice
  • .5 part Sugar Syrup
  • 1 12-ounce Bag of Frozen Passionfruit
  • 1 part Orange Triple Sec.

Method: Blend together. Pour into a daiquiri glass. Garnish with a half passion fruit & lime wedge.

Canned Cocktails

Absolut and Ocean Spray® Vodka Cranberry RTD Range

This iconic collaboration between Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray® delivers a ready-to-drink cocktail in the convenience of a can, that is perfect for sipping and sharing with loved ones this season. Made with the highest quality premium vodka from Absolut with real cranberry juice from Ocean Spray, the range includes Vodka Cranberry, Vodka Cran-Grape, Vodka Cran-Pineapple and Vodka Cran-Raspberry flavors.  SRP: $23.99 for a 8-pack 355ml (also available in a 4-pack and single serve cans)

One of our new favorite canned cocktails comes from Surfside, a line of iced tea + vodka canned cocktails that is causing a swell of excitement and surging in popularity across the U.S. Having premium vodka, real tea, 100 calories and 0 bubbles, it is currently available in four variations: Iced Tea + Vodka, Peach Tea + Vodka, Half & Half + Vodka and Lemonade + Vodka.  A 40can single flavor pack rounds out to about $10.99 and a variety 8-pack is $19.99.

 

And now that warm weather is here there is nothing better than a sweet and refreshing rum cocktail. And Horton Rum has now introduced their new party pack.  Created by Krista HortonHorton Rum’s party packs are the perfect addition to every summer activity you and your readers may have in store!   With three different flavors, Lime SodaPineapple Soda and Diet Kola, Horton Rum has you covered for every occasion.

  • For the pool party: Pineapple Soda brings the tropical to YOU! With tasting notes of smooth rum, coconut and pineapple juice – transport to the  perfect summer vacay at first sip!
  • For the picnic: Lime Soda is the perfect sip to throw in a picnic basket. Smooth rum with flavors of coconut and lime juice make for an ideal treat for sipping with some charcuterie!
  • For the rooftop happy hour: Diet Kola is the ultimate refreshing sip to enjoy after a long work day. It is an elevated twist on a diet coke and Krista’s personal favorite!

Another brand to highlight is a new one called Sprinter.  Founded by entrepreneur Kylie Jenner, Sprinter is a bold and juicy RTD vodka soda made with real fruit juice, premium vodka and sparkling water. Using only the highest quality ingredients, Sprinter delivers vibrant and fruit-forward flavor profiles in four flavors – Black CherryPeachGrapefruit and Lime. Sprinter is 100 calories, 4.5% ABV, gluten-free, with no added sugars. Kylie designed Sprinter to be the life of the party – your co-host in a can. Sprinter is available nationwide in an 8-can variety pack starting 3/21. For more information, follow @drinksprinter and visit drinksprinter.com.

Lastly, we have Lipton Hard Iced Tea.  Lipton Hard Iced Tea is a 5% ABV non-carbonated alcoholic beverage made with real Lipton brewed tea, natural flavors and a premium, triple-filtered malt base. The Variety Pack comes with unique flavors including Half & Half, Lemon, Peach and Strawberry. Lipton Hard Iced Tea delivers a refreshing, lighter, brighter and smoother hard iced tea drinking experience.

Wine

Champagne Lallier Blanc de Blancs

Enjoy Blanc de Blancs delicacy on its own; or along with elegant meal – white meat & grilled asparagus.

 

Champagne Lallier Rosé

Serve Rosé as an aperitif, or along with a light and gourmet meal – raw fish or shellfish.

 

Alìe Rosé 2022 (SRP $25)

Alìe is known as a figure of Greek mythology, one of the sea nymphs, a symbol of sensuality and beauty, for which this elegant rosé is named. With a clear and pure color and light ruby reflections, this refined balance between Syrah and Vermentino gives a strong taste of citrus and crispness with aromatic sensations of thyme and sage. These notes make Alìe rosé the ideal companion for poultry dishes like oven roasted chicken or turkey.

 

Masso Vivo 2022 (SRP: $22)

Masso Vivo is a beautiful straw-coloured Vermentino, which is astonishing with its floral and candied fruit notes, and for its intriguing mineral taste. Exotic fruity notes of pineapple, mango, and citrus are countered by floral notes of blossom and wildflower. On the finish, there are hints of rosemary, making Masso Vivo an excellent wine to pair with seafood like oysters or fried clams.

 

And in exciting wine news, Banfi, producer and importer of fine wines, has announced Natura’s partnership with the globally recognized environmental organization 1% For The Planet to pledge its support toward regenerative organic agriculture. And in order to support this cause, Banfi is committing 1% of total U.S. Natura wine sales to the environment

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