Enjoy the cool weather with an even cooler cocktail

Fall is finally underway with the weather cooling down and the leaves changing color.  But one thing that remains constant regardless of the time of year is enjoying a nice cocktail.  We have some classics we wanted to feature along with some new recipes we have recently fallen in love with.

Gin

Mulled Harvest Cider

• Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 parts Hendrick’s Gin
  • 1/4 part Honey
  • 2 parts Apple Cider
  • 2 parts Spicy Ginger Tea
  • Orange Twist and Cinnamon Stick to Garnish
• Method:
  • Gently heat first 3 ingredients in a saucepan then add 2 parts spicy ginger tea. Serve warm in a tankard or teacup and garnish with an orange twist and cinnamon stick.

Hendrick’s Autumn Apple Snap

Ingredients:

• • 1 ½ parts Hendrick’s Gin
  • ¾ Part Lemon Juice
  • ¾ Part Apple Juice or Apple Cider
  • Top with Ginger Beer
  • Garnish with Apple Slides & Nutmeg
• Preparation: 
  • Combine all ingredients in a highball glass filled with cubed ice and lightly churn.

Vodka 

Three Olives Vodka

Today, Three Olives Vodka announced,  “The Generager” – an interactive digital platform that takes any three party ingredients and blends them together to deliver a custom theme, complete with a dress code, cocktail recommendation and accompanying imagery. Platform users can then submit their AI-created rager for the chance to have it brought to life with an epic party, courtesy of Three Olives Vodka. Plus, each week three Generager submissions will be selected to win a $100 ReserveBar giftcard to help kick start their own rager events, totalling in 33 additional winners! Ready to rage? Simply follow the below to make your own rager and enter to win:

• Enter your three must-have party “ingredients” into The Generager platform at generager.threeolives.com
• See your ideas come to life and submit: Watch The Generager use its AI magic to deliver a custom party concept for your next gathering and submit it for a chance to win!
• Show off your one-of-a-kind party on social media using the hashtags #ThreeOlivesGenerager #Contest and tagging Three Olives (Instagram and X: @ThreeOlives, Facebook: @Three Olives Vodka).
  • Note: Social sharing is not required to enter the Three Olives Generager Contest

Sweet Potato Old Fashioned

 Ingredients:

• 2 oz Beattie’s Sweet Potato Vodka
• .5 oz Brown sugar simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes of Black walnut bitters
• Brandied Cherry for garnish (or toasted marshmallow)

Directions: In a mixing glass, combine Beattie’s Sweet Potato Vodka, brown sugar simple syrup and black walnut bitters with a handful of ice and stir for 15 seconds. Strain your ingredients into a rocks glass over a large ice cube and add your cherry for garnish.

Sweet Potato Sour

Ingredients:

• 5 oz Beattie’s Sweet Potato Vodka
• .75 oz Orange curacao
• 1 oz Lemon juice
• .5 oz Agave
• 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
• Brandied cherry and rosemary sprig for garnish

Directions: Pour all ingredients into a shaker tin with a handful of ice and shake until cold. Strain your ingredients over ice into your rocks glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry and rosemary sprig.

Butler Sunset Martini

Ingredients:

• .5 Oz of Butler Vodka
• .5 Oz of Chambord
• .5 Oz of Pineapple Juice

Directions: Shake it well with ice and strain into a Martini glass.

Blueberry Spritzer

 Ingredients:

• .5 oz of Butler vodka
• .5 oz of lemonade
• 3 mint leaves
• 1 lime wedge
• 1 Tbs wild blueberries
• Splash of tonic water
• .5 oz Simple syrup

Directions: Add mint, lemonade, syrup, and blueberries in a rocks glass and muddle. Add butler vodka, top with tonic water and garnish with lime wedge and mint.

Rum

Captain Hagarrrrrgh’s Treasure Chest of Gold: 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Sammy’s Beach Bar Platinum Rum
• 3⁄4 oz. fresh lime juice
• 3⁄4 oz. Monin honey syrup
• 2 oz. sparkling wine
• Garnish: fresh orange peel

Directions: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the rum, lime juice, and honey syrup. Shake well and strain into a chilled tulip glass. Top with sparkling wine. Swath the rim with the fresh orange peel, then squeeze the oils into the drink and drop the peel into the cocktail.

Shark Bite:

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz. Sammy’s Beach Bar Platinum Rum
• 1⁄2 oz. Southern Comfort
• 1⁄2 oz. fresh orange juice
• 1 oz. sweet & sour mix
• 1⁄2 oz. simple syrup
• Lemon-lime soda (7-Up or Sprite), as needed
• Garnish: pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, fresh mint sprig

Directions: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, Southern Comfort, orange juice, sweet & sour mix, and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a Collins or highball glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, fresh mint sprig, and paper umbrella.

Tequila/Mezcal

Milagro’s Spiced Pumpkin Miracle

• Ingredients:
  • 2 parts Milagro Reposado
  • 1 part Lemon juice
  • 1 part Orgeat (Liquid Alchemist)
  • 1 part Pumpkin puree Garnish
  • Smoked cinnamon stick
  • 2 star anise
• Preparation: Add all ingredients to shakers, shake for 10 seconds to allow all ingredients to dissolve. Finally strain into a tall glass with fresh ice, garnish and enjoy

Milagro’s Otońo

Ingredients:

• • 1 ½ parts Milagro Reposado
  • 1 part pumpkin syrup (Real syrup)
  • 1 ½ parts spiced chai black tea
  • ½ part Almond milk

Directions: Build in shaker add ice and shake for 5 seconds. Then pour over ice in a rocks glass. Finally, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Optional you can smoke the cocktail.

Mezcal UNIÓN Hot Toddy 

Ingredients: 

• 1.1 oz Mezcal Unión UNO 
• 1.1 oz. Hot Water
• 1.1 oz Apple Cider (homemade if possible) 
• 0.8 oz Agave Honey
• 0.5 oz Herbal Liqueur
• 0.5 oz Lemon Juice

Directions: Mix ingredients together and pour into a rocks glass. Include a slice of lemon. Enjoy!

APPLE CIDER MARGARITA

Instructions:

• 2oz Flecha Azul Anejo Tequila
• 2oz apple cider
• 1oz lime juice
• 1oz Triple sec
• ½oz agave syrup
• Rim:
• 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Directions: Rim the glass by running a lime wedge over the lip. On a separate shallow plate, combine cinnamon sugar and salt. Dip glass. Fill the glass with ice. In a cocktail shaker, add cocktail ingredients. Shake well. Garnish and serve.

TEQUILA SOUR

Instructions:

• 2oz Flecha Azul Reposado Tequila
• 1oz lemon juice
• ½ oz lime juice
• ½oz agave nectar
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 egg white or ½ oz aquafaba

Directions: Add the tequila, lemon juice, lime juice, agave, bitters, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds.Add the ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake again for 30 seconds. Strain the drink into a glass; the foam will collect at the top. Serve with a lime wedge and a cocktail Cherry.

TEQUILA NEGRONI

Instructions:

• 1 oz Flecha Azul Reposado Tequila
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• Orange twist for Garnish

Directions: Pour ingredients into a rocks glass over ice and stir until well-mixed. Garnish with an orange twist.   

SETENTA Y CINCO

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Fresh Lemon
• 1 oz Fósforo Tobalá Penca Mezcal
• .5 oz Agave Syrup
• Heavy slash of sparking wine

Directions:  Build the first three ingredients into a shaker over ice. Gently shake and serve into a flute or coupe. Top with cold champagne or prosecco

And if you are looking to gift a high end tequila, we have a new release from Volcan that fits the ticket

Volcan X.A Tequila | $174.99

Gift the ultimate bar cart upgrade with Volcan X.A tequila, the first ultra-premium tequila from Moët Hennesy. Volcan X.A is an innovative blend of reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequilas. Handcrafted at every step of the process, X.A is made with 100% natural Blue Agave and is completely additive-free.

Whiskey/Bourbon/Rye

OLD PAL

Ingredients:

• 1 part RedemptionBourbon
• 1 part Campari*
• 1 part dry vermouth
• Lemon twist for garnish

Directions: Combine Redemption Bourbon, Campari and dry vermouth into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

RED HOOK

Ingredients: 

• 2 parts RedemptionRye
• ½ part Maraschino liqueur
• ½ part Punt e Mes Sweet Vermouth*
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Directions: Add Redemption Rye, Maraschino liqueur and Punt e Mes into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a couple glass. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.

BLACK MANHATTAN

Ingredients:

• 2 parts RedemptionHigh Rye Bourbon
• 1 part Averna Amaro Liqueur*
• Dash of Orange bitters
• Dash of Angostura bitters
• Brandied cherry for garnish

Directions: Add Redemption high Rye Bourbon, Averna Amaro Liqueur, Angostura bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a couple glass. Garnish with brandied cherry.

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ oz. Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
• ¾ oz. coffee liqueur
• ½ oz. pumpkin syrup
• 2 oz. espresso
• Dash of pumpkin spice

Directions:  Combine 1 ¼ oz. Skrewball, ¾ oz. coffee liqueur, ½ oz. pumpkin syrup, 2 oz. espresso & a dash of

pumpkin spice into a shaker with ice.   Shake vigorously.  Strain into coupe glass.  Sprinkle with pumpkin spice & drizzle with chocolate.

It seems like September was the month for whiskey and bourbon brands to launch new expressions.  Check out some of the new releases below that we have fallen in love with.

Old Fashioned from Watershed Distillery

A tried and true classic, this bottled Old Fashioned is made simple with all the quality ingredients: bourbon, bitters, sugar and Ohio cherry juice, right in the bottle. All you have to do is pour to enjoy an Old Fashioned worthy of a large ice cube. Available online via Wood’s Wholesale Wine and in seven states

Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity

Jefferson’s Bourbon, a pioneer in the bourbon category, and well-known for its boundary pushing approach to whiskey blending and unique maturation, proudly debuts Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity™. Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity is a fully matured Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Singapore’s extreme heat and humidity to deliver a rich, textured, and completely unique tasting experience.

Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity™ is fully matured and bottled at 52% ABV.  An allocated limited edition special release, it will be available starting September 2023 at fine spirits retailers and restaurants/bars across the US (MSRP $99.99 /750mL). For more information visit https://jeffersonsbourbon.com/jeffersons-tropics-bourbon/

 WhistlePig PiggyBack 

 One of the recent releases that we have loved comes from WhistlePig Whiskey who has just released their latest expression.  WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1® Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1® Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1® Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1® Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Basil Hayden Malted Rye

Another release comes from Basil Hayden and was released last month.  Basil Hayden expands its award-winning whiskey portfolio with the launch of a new permanent expression, Basil Hayden Malted Rye. An entirely new entrant into the rye category, Basil Hayden Malted Rye delivers an approachable, unexpected softness rarely seen in rye whiskey.

Crafted by eighth generation master distiller Freddie Noe, this special release is created using a distinct malting process that transforms the rye grain to create a more subtle, mellow spice with delicate sweet and floral notes. This offering shines a light on what whiskey can be and invites consumers to explore the more refined side of rye, with the liquid delicately poised between Basil Hayden’s signature smooth taste profile and the spicier notes of rye.

Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky | $139.99 |

The perfect gift for the budding whisky collector in your life, Glenmorangie 18 Years Old spent fifteen years maturing in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks before approximately 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks to spend a further three years maturing. When both elements have reached 18 years, they are blended back together to create a whisky with a rich bouquet and full, rounded flavor.

Mocktails

Field Goal Fizz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Mingles Moscow Mule
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz elderflower syrup
• Ginger beer (non-alcoholic)
• Ice cubes
• Lime wheel and mint sprig for garnish
• For a light cocktail
• 1 oz vodka

Instructions:

Fill a copper mule mug or a highball glass with ice cubes.  Pour in 2 ounces of Mingles Moscow Mule. Add 1 ounce of Vodka (optional).  Add 1 ounce of orange juice for a burst of citrus flavor.  Squeeze in 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice for a zesty kick.  Drizzle in 1/2 ounce of elderflower syrup for a touch of floral sweetness. Give the ingredients a gentle stir to mix them together.  Top off the glass with non-alcoholic ginger beer to your desired level.  Garnish your Field Goal Fizz mocktail with a lime wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.  Use a cocktail straw and give it a final stir before sipping.