Craft(y) cocktails that don't require special equipment (or engineering skills)-may not be Instagram bait -but refreshed classics, made easily enough with a holiday twist-are ideal drinks to serve with or without party nibbles.
Think RUM
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| One of five-Pensacola Florida's 'signature' cocktails =local Sandshaker's "The Bushwacker" aka a grown-up milkshake ... a tasty SWEET swirl of rum, crème de cacao, cream of coconut and vanilla ice cream. This worthy Eggnog sub- egg free- screams party on. |
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| THREESOMES: The foundation of any excellent cocktail...stirred or shaken...should be worthy of sipping solo too. Gift-able -Mad River Distillers'trio -passes that test-with a splash, over a cube-or mixed with the extras. |
Retro Look-Modern Tastes
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Ever since we saw BITTERMILK's retro packaged cocktail mixers-at a Fancy Food show a few years-back-we knew this privately owned company would DO REALLY WELL Try a hand crafted-real ingredients-handsome bottle to liven up liquid gatherings. Conveniently- the gift sets are host pleasers too- made to complete cocktail favs-like the Old Fashioned Set (add a twist of orange peel for a winter treat) and The Variety Set-(trio of cocktail podium winners-Tom Collins, Whiskey Sours + Grapefruit Tonics). |
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| The NINETIES: Maybe it was a 90s 'thing' but after-dinner digestifs / liquors have def slipped out of favor-meaning of course-'it's time for a comeback. Yesteryear libations like licorice-anise-citrus-y-spice-y Sambuca (pictured on the right Nastro D'oro Sambuca Avero $17-18/bottle) = so easy to serve ANYTIME-straight up -add a coffee or espresso bean up top...or splash a dash atop vanilla ice cream instead of the typical gooey syrupy sauce for a more grown-up treat. In the center (AND NOTE THE BOTTLE IS EMPTY!!!) -the Piedmont -Italy region serves up the Gold medal (International Spirits Awards)-winning Sibona's Amaro liquor found online starting at $26. 34 aromatic plants and herbs-with holiday perfect spices-like cinnamon, clove and cardamon make this a choice winter drink-straight up w/ an orange slice, over an ice cube +/or seltzer...or poured over vanilla ice cream -same as the aforementioned. |
Easily the best booze choice (and toast maker gift) to pair with the deserve the raves Peruvian -Nikkei dish ceviche-which is nudging out tuna tartare as our fav appetizer/entrée-is the iconic Pisco Sour -made with high end grape' loaded Macchu Pisco Ñusta "Inca Princess"(and an egg white, simple syrup, lemon juice + bitters).
Packaged in a stunning ceramic bottle (a real keeper as a vase or candlestick when the liquid is finished)-Macchu Pisco's most luxurious brandy like offering is made in the Ica Valley of Peru-aged three years-and requires a whopping 30 lbs of labor intensive hand picked grapes, lovingly pressed-and distilled ideally in copper pots yielding the 80% proof (not watered down like other brands).Unfamiliar with Pisco??? It's truly a transporting spirit alcohol-loaded with the aromatic flavors of orange blossoms, lemongrass+ ripe tropical fruits-AND worthy of sipping solo-with a notable palate warm smooth pleasing finish.
FYI: Very few bottles are made-REALLY: online by special order- $269.99
ADDED PLUS:
Salt savvy mixologists know that tastes matter-whether trimming festive margarita ...or diluting with water to (drop by drop) mix with liquors-to reduce bitterness and enhance sweet-sour tastes-like citrus flavors (try it in a martini) or egg whites-as in the above Pisco Sour recipe.
Fortunately all natural sea salt- flake size perfect True Salt Cocktail flakes -adheres to glass rims as well as adding ideal saltiness to cocktails' ingredient list.