Warm yourself up with some cocktails
With the temperature cooling down, the only way we know how to warm ourselves up is with a tasty cocktail. And if you are having a bit of trouble finding that perfect fall recipe, we have some amazing ideas that you can try for yourself.
The first spirit we are featuring is from CÎROC and actually makes for a perfect gift if you are planning on shopping for the holidays. CÎROC has a rich and unique history with origins in the South of France and unlike other vodkas, it’s distilled five times from fine French grapes; a process inspired by a century of wine-making expertise and craftsmanship that gives it a distinctive flavor with an exceptionally fresh, citrus taste. Below are some interesting, fun facts I wanted to share with you.
Here’s two quick facts to celebrate the vodka’s legacy, while you enjoy your favorite cocktail:
- Fine French heritage: CÎROC’s fine French heritage runs deep through the grapevine. The brand’s name is a combination of two words meaning “peak” and “rock,” nodding to the high altitudes of the region where our fine French grapes are grown.
- Taste reigns supreme: when the quality of the product is good, not much is needed to elevate your drink! While cranberry juice and orange juice are the top choices for CÎROC non flavored vodka, fans enjoy the flavor portfolio with just soda water to really spotlight each variant’s distinctive taste.
Next up we have a perfect cocktail from PATRÓN. And there is nothing that scream fall more than a pumpkin pie cocktail recipe.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz PATRÓN Silver
- 1.5 oz Orange juice
- 1.5 oz Pumpkin purée
- 0.75 oz Lemon juice
- 1 0z Honey Pumpkin Spice syrup*
- Pumpkin Pie Spice blend for garnish
- Orange twist for garnish
Method: In a cocktail shaker, add all of the ingredients for the pumpkin pie martini, except the spice blend and orange twist, and shake. Strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Dust with the pumpkin pie spice blend and garnish with an orange twist, then serve.
*Honey pumpkin spice syrup:
- 1 cup Water
- 1 cup Honey
- 2 tsps Pumpkin pie spice blend
In a small pot, whisk together all of the pumpkin spice ingredients. Over high heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Once at a boil, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to completely cool.
Also on the tequila list is one from Tanteo Tequila and it also features some pumpkin flavors.
Tanteo Tequila Panadero Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Tanteo Chipotle Tequila
- 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz Light agave Nectar
- 1 oz Pumpkin Puree
Method: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a hollowed mini-pumpkin. Garnish with freshly ground nutmeg and cinnamon.
And we have two more recipes from Contraluz Mezcal!
Mezcal con Tonika
A classic and simple prep “Highball” with a revitalizing touch from the grapefruit juice makes this cocktail rich and flavorful.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Contraluz
- 1 oz Grapefruit Juice
- 4 oz Tonic Water
Method:
In a Collins glass, mix Contraluz and grapefruit juice. Top it off with tonic water. Garnish with a grapefruit or dehydrated orange slice.
Illuminated Martini
Elegant and floral, our Illuminated Martini combines Contraluz with two types of Vermouths – bringing a nutty and savory flavor into this spirit-forwarded cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Contraluz
- 1 oz Cocchi Americano
- Bar spoon of Dolin Blanc Vermouth
Method:
In a mixing glass, add Contraluz Mezcal, dry Vermouth, a bar spoon of Dolin Blanc and ice. Mix and train into a chilled martini glass. Express lemon oils and garnish with a lemon peel.
And if you are more of a Mezcal person, we have a great recipe from Ilegal Mezcal.
Ilegal Carajillo
Ingredients:
- 2 oz espresso (or very strong coffee), cooled slightly
- 1.5 oz Licor 43
- 1.5 oz Ilegal Mezcal Reposado
Method: Combine ingredients in a shaker, shake until chilled and strain into rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist
And we know that sometimes you can’t be bothered to make a complex cocktail which is why we have found an amazing canned cocktail from Austin Cocktails’ They have recently unveiled two new flavors, the Bergamot Orange Sparkling Margarita and Fred’s Ruby Red Sparkling Cocktail.
If you are a fan of Bourbon, we have an amazing recipe to try called Flannel SZN
Flannel Szn
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz. Bourbon
- ½ oz. Averna
- ¾ oz. Cider syrup
- ¾ oz. Fresh lemon juice
Method: Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake to chill. Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice. Garnish.
Cider Syrup:
- 4 oz. apple cider
- 4 oz. raw sugar
- 2 oz. honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 Tbsp whole allspice
- 1 tsp whole cloves
Dissolve the sugar and honey in apple cider over low heat and steep with spices to taste. Once cooled, strain out the spices and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
And for those that want to go a little bit more festive, we have some amazing recipes courtesy if Amaro Averna Siciliano.
Midnight to Midnight
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz. Averna
- 1 oz. Fresh Pineapple Juice
- ¾ oz. Lime Juice
- ¼ oz. Grenadine
- 3-4 dashes cherry bitters
Method: Combine all ingredients over ice, shake, and strain into a coupe. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Sicilian Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Averna
- ½ oz. Espolón blanco
- ¼ oz. dark crème de cacao
- ½ oz. orgeat
- 1.5 oz. cold espresso
- 3 dashes chocolate bitters
Method: Shake very hard & strain
Gladd: Large Coupe
Garnish: Coffee beans,
Side dish of unsalted toasted almonds
And with the holidays approaching, you also have to consider gifts. And we have an idea from Grand Marnier that would be perfect.
The brand’s main expression Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is made up of 51% fine French cognac and 49% exotic bitter orange, and delivers a complexity of flavors perfected centuries ago, while the Grand Marnier Louis Alexandre is an exceptional Cuvée with VSOP cognac, rich in character and complexity, made up of 82% cognac and 18% orange liqueur. Both can be easily enjoyed neat and used in mixed drinks.
Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge (SRP $39.99)
Created in 1880 by Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is the flagship of the brand and combines the intensity of tropical bitter orange with the character of cognac. The recipe, which has not changed since it was first created, results in a liqueur with powerful aromas and flavors. This refined liqueur contains 40% ABV (51% cognac and 49% orange liqueur).
Taste: Full and ample; bitter orange aromas balanced by cognac notes of hazelnuts and toffee. The finish is long and harmonious.
Perfect Serve: On the rocks and Grand Cocktails
Grand Marnier Louis Alexandre (SRP $79.99)
A tribute to our founder, Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, who disrupted the status quo of cognac by combining it with bitter orange liqueur. An exceptional Cuvée with VSOP cognac, rich in character and complexity, containing 40% ABV (82% cognac and 18% orange liqueur).
Taste: Candied peel with bergamot essences. Intense flavors of cognac and macerated citrus with nuances of pine and Earl Grey tea for a long, warm finish.
Perfect Serve: Neat or on the rocks
And for those that like gifts like Whiskey, Jameson Black Barrel is a perfect gift to get. And we even have a great cocktail pairing to go with it.
Jameson Black Barrel
A combination of pot still and grain whiskeys, Jameson Black Barrel Select Reserve Irish Whiskey is matured in sherry and bourbon oak casks to unveil a complex palate of sherry nuttiness, vanilla, and creamy notes. Unlike other Jameson whiskeys, Black Barrel is aged in twice-charred casks, producing a blend of rich flavors ranging from fruity hints of apple and nectarine to the creamy tones of the grain whiskey to the piquant flare of the pot still.
Crimson Cranberry Punch Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ parts Jameson Black Barrel
- 1 dash Angostura bitters per serve
- 1 part cranberry juice
- ½ part cinnamon syrup
- ½ part lemon juice
- ½ part club soda
Method: Build all ingredients together in a punch bowl. Garnish with lemon wheels, orange wheels, and cranberries. Serve in rocks glasses chilled over ice.
And our last gift idea is from Cloudy Bay Wine which has an assortment of wines to select from which make them the perfect gift that can be enjoyed by anyone.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is intense and vibrant. The nose is open, appealing and expressive, with ripe
passionfruit, white peach and a hint of lime. The palate is deliciously concentrated and tropical, underpinned by nectarine and blossoms. Saline notes bring structure, while passionfruit and vibrant
citrus acidity bring balance.
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir
The Cloudy Bay 2019 Pinot Noir is deep, dark-fruited and aromatic. The nose is laden with notes of bramble berries, graphite and morello cherry. On the palate you’ll find Victoria plum, loganberry and autumn fruit held together with fine, silky tannins and balanced with juicy acidity. The finish is long and the wine is exceptionally moreish.
Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc
Te Koko 2019 is serious, subtle and complex. The nose is nuanced, with citrus, stone fruits and savoury notes of soft woodsmoke. The palate is textural, layered and interesting. Mellow oak and mineral characters are balanced by the vibrant acidity and freshness of citrus and conference pear. A long and elegant finish draws together this dense and powerful wine, one that honours the original vision of making a truly unique Sauvignon Blanc.
Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Pinot Noir
The 2018 Te Wahi Central Otago Pinot Noir is dark and intense. On the nose, you’ll find dusky brambles, wild strawberries and hints of violet. The palate is elegant and abounds with damson and hedgerow fruit. Dense tannins and vibrant freshness bring tension, balance and clarity, drawing to a long and focused finish.
