Tag Archives: paloma

The “It” Beverage of The Summer of 2018

It’s official. Now that we’re in the thick of the summer of 2018 we can indeed call it: The beverage of the season is, drum roll please, the canned cocktail. This ready-to-drink format has taken not just our store, but the whole country by storm. Seems gazillions of you have taken a shine to these little aluminum canisters and the well-made, thoughtful, delicious drinks inside of them. And you’re taking them to your porches, your decks, stoops, parks, beaches and boats in record numbers.

Producers of many leading brands have rushed their versions of canned cocktails to market, which has unfortunately resulted in a glut of questionable offerings that deliver less quality and more hangover. Our team has tasted so many of them this season that they’ve lost track. But what we haven’t lost track of is our drive to separate the bad from the good, to find the tastiest, well-crafted, most fun versions of this super popular format for you.

Here are 11 we’ve added to our shelves and coolers over the past month that we just love. Most are new, others are so good we’re calling them the classics already.

Sons of Liberty Loyal 9 Blueberry Lemonade
Yep, our pals from just down the road took their incredibly popular vodka lemonade and made it more New-England-Summer by adding blueberry to the mix. It’s a touch lower in alcohol than the straight lemonade version and we love love love its refreshing, winning style.
$11.99 / 4pk
$2.99 / single

Half-Seas Sparkling Cocktails
Serious cocktail aficionados will find much to love in this line of premium bubbles made by the team behind the popular Seattle-based Scrappy’s Bitters. Each offering is made with real distilled spirits, pure cane syrup and natural flavors. They’re solid cocktails, and are as tasty as the day is long.

Half-Seas Bramble
The original Bramble cocktail was created in London in the 1980s and is a mashup of dry London gin, tart citrus and juicy berries. This sparkling version pays tribute to the OG recipe and adds a touch of effervescence for a delightful tingle. It’s an incredibly balanced, dry, adult cocktail in a fun-sized format.
$15.99 / 4pk
$4.49 / single

Half-Seas Daiquiri
The Daiquiri is arguably one of the most well-known cocktails in the world, and this canned sparkling version remains true to the original ingredients, with white rum, tart limes, sweet pure cane sugar, and the added twist of effervescence. It’s refreshing – and the only way it could possibly be easier to enjoy would be if we drank it for you. Which we’re happy to do.
$15.99 / 4pk
$4.49 / single

Half-Seas Paloma
A mix the finest Mexican tequila with Half-Seas’ own all-natural, refreshing grapefruit soda, pure cane syrup, and zesty lime make this a not-to-be missed summer treat. Bring on a platter of fish tacos, please!
$15.99 / 4pk
$4.49 / single

Bravazzi Blood Orange Hard Italian Soda
Inspired by the iconic Italian fruit sodas, these hard versions are made with lots of amore and nothing artificial. They’re bright, fizzy and fruity thanks to real fruit juice and natural cane sugar. One sip and you’ll feel as if you’re on the Amalfi Coast!
$8.99 / 6pk
$2.25 / single

Joia Sparkling Greyhound
Come on, folks. There’s so much to love here. Premium vodka with all-natural grapefruit, chamomile and cardamom. This bubbly cocktail is low in sugar and calories if that sort of thing matters to you. If it doesn’t, drink it because it’s really, really, tasty.
$12.99 / 4pk
$3.99 / single

Monaco Cocktails
And for something a bit different – you can’t go wrong with the $2.99-a-pop Monaco cocktails given the pure amount of flavor punch packed into each can.

Monaco Mango Peach
This is a sweet and easy treat for a hot day. Freshly pressed mango juice flavor is blended with two shots of peach vodka. Nothing cerebral – and nothing wrong – with that!
$2.99 / single

Monaco Tequila Lime Crush
100% blue agave tequila and fresh lime flavors. Nothing more. Nothing less.
$2.99 / single

Monaco Citrus Rush
They say it’s like an adult energy drink. We say why not. It’s vodka infused with citrus & vanilla flavors for a sweet kick and a smooth finish.
$2.99 / single

Fishers Island Lemonade
So though it’s not technically new to our shelves (we’ve carried it for the past several seasons), this can deserves a spot on this list because it delivers, year after year, a super refreshing, slightly sweet, slightly tart bang for your buck. Is $5 a lot for one can? We don’t think so, when you consider each can contains the equivalent of two well-made cocktails. Enjoy with care: it’s scrumptious flavor packs a high-alcohol wallop.
$14.99 / 4pk
$4.99 / single

Ramona Ruby Grapefruit Spritz
This wine-based cocktail made its debut at Bottles last year, but we’re including it here because it’s terrific an a no-brainer for delicious summer fun. It’s an organic ruby red grapefruit wine spritzer that all the cool kids with great taste are drinking. It’s dry and balanced and refreshing – and look at that spectacular packaging!
$19.99 / 4pk
$5.49 / single

Cheers & enjoy!

prices subject to change

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8 Easy Summer Cocktails – Plus, How to Pre-Batch Cocktails

How to Pre Batch Easy Summer Cocktails

When it’s summery and gorgeous outside, and you’re having a party or attending one, the last thing you want to be doing is spending hours making the drinks. You also don’t want to be making cocktails for everyone all night long if you’re hosting.

What’s the solution?

Pre-make and bottle your cocktails in big batches, or choose simple recipes that take two seconds to make. Keep scrolling to get inspired by our favorite, easy and summery cocktail recipes. Plus, look for our in-store display of all the ingredients you’ll need!

 

HOW TO PRE-BATCH COCKTAILS

SUPPLIES – swing-top glass bottles, funnel, measuring cup

TIMING – Make the batched cocktail 3-4 days in advance and refrigerate. If you’re using fruit juices, make it the day of—they’re perishable and best the day they’re squeezed.

ADDING WATER IN ADVANCE – When you shake a cocktail with ice, the ice actually melts and dilutes the drink. So, when you pre-make a cocktail that usually needs to be shaken, add some water—about 1/5 the volume. This ensures that each drink will taste balanced.

MATH – Our recipes here are in parts, so that you can make as much or as little as you need. One drink or serving usually has around 2 oz. of the base spirit.

SERVING – Serve each cocktail according the recipe directions. Some are over ice, others are poured into a chilled glass, and others are blended with crushed ice.

 

Download & Print Cocktail Recipes (2 pages) > 

 

Pisco Sour drink recipe

PISCO SOUR

Pisco is a type brandy (it’s distilled from the juice of grapes), usually made in Peru or Chile (where the Pisco Sour is the national drink). Icy, frothy, sweet and tart, this drink is super refreshing and great for summer.

Ingredients
– 2 parts Pisco (Try Ocucaje Pisco)
– 1 part Simple Syrup (Try Stirrings Simple Syrup)
– 1 part egg whites
– 1 part fresh lime juice

Garnish: Dash of Bitters (Try Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters)

Directions: Combine and blend all ingredients. When ready to serve, add crushed ice in a blender or shaker. Blend on high for 15 seconds, or shake for 1 minute, then serve. Garnish with 3 dashes of bitters.

*A bottle of Ocucaje Pisco makes around 12 drinks, with 2 oz of Pisco per serving.

Canale Torino Cocktail Recipe

CANALE TORINO

If you like Aperol or Campari, you’ll like this recipe which uses Cappelletti Aperitivo, a red, tasty, wine-based bitter aperitif made in Italy. This Canale Torino recipe is based on one by chef Jimmy Bradley at The Harrison, NYC.

Ingredients
– 2 parts Cappelletti Aperitivo
– 2 parts Dry Vermouth (Try Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth)
-1 part Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao

Garnish: Orange Peel Twist

Directions: Combine all ingredients and ⅕ volume with water if pre-batching. When ready to serve, pour into a glass of ice & garnish. If making individually, add ingredients with 2 cups of ice into a shaker. Shake, then strain into a glass. Garnish with orange peel twist.

*A bottle of Cappelletti Aperitivo makes around 12 drinks, with 2 oz of Cappelletti per serving.

Negroni Cocktail Recipe with Melletti 1870

NEGRONI

A Negroni has just three parts: gin, Campari, & sweet vermouth. You can customize it by swapping out the ingredients, and we love Meletti 1870. A sweet/bitter orange Italian aperitivo, Meletti 1870 is a new, deliciously complex recipe from the Meletti distillery.

Ingredients
– 1 part Gin (try Ford’s Gin)
– 1 part Meletti 1870
– 1 part Dolin Rouge Vermouth

Garnish: Orange Wedge

Directions: Combine all ingredients. To serve, pour over a glass full of ice, and stir well. Garnish with orange wedge.

*One bottle of Meletti 1870 will make around 16 servings, with 1.5 oz per drink. You’ll have leftover gin!

Maine Cooler - Royal Rose Lavender Lemon Syrup

MAINE COOLER

Just like a Tom Collins with vodka, plus yummy lavender-lemon syrup by Royal Rose. Refreshing, sweet, sour, and with a touch of lavender! Try Aylesbury Duck Vodka, which is clean, grainy, spicy and plays well in mixed drinks. (Based on the creation by Andrew Volk of the Portland Hunt & Alpine Club.)

Ingredients
– 2 parts Vodka (Try Aylesbury Duck Vodka)
– 1 part Royal Rose Lavender Lemon Syrup
– 1 part Lemon Juice
– Top off club soda

Garnish: Lemon Twist

Directions: Combine vodka, syrup, & lemon juice. Serve over ice and with lemon wedge. If making individually, shake ingredients with ice and strain into ice-filled glass and top with soda.

*One bottle of Aylesbury Duck Vodka makes around 16 servings, with about 2 oz. of vodka per drink.

Paloma Drink Recipe - Tequila Cabeza

PALOMA

Ahh, the Paloma. Popular in Mexico, it’s a winning mix of tequila, grapefruit soda, and fresh lime juice. Try it with Tequila Cabeza, which is made from 100% agave, grown in the Los Altos region by the Vivanco family for five generations.

Ingredients
– 2 parts Tequila (Try Tequila Cabeza)
– 1 part Lime Juice
– Top with Pellegrino Pompelmo (grapefruit soda)

Garnish: Lime Wedge & Salt Rim

Directions: Combine tequila and lime juice. When ready to serve, fill a glass with ice, add mixture, pinch of coarse salt, and top with grapefruit soda. Stir.

* One bottle of Tequila Cabeza will make you around 16 servings, with about 2 oz. of tequila per drink.

Grumpy Cup Drink Recipe - Pimm's

GRUMPY CUP

Our own recipe! A Grumpy Cup is just like a Pimm’s Cup, but with Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer. Proceed with caution.

Ingredients
– 2 oz Pimm’s
– ½ btl. Crabbie’s Ginger Beer
– Lemon Juice

Garnish: Lemon Wedge

Directions: Fill a glass with ice, pour over with Pimm’s, and top off with Crabbie’s. Stir. Squeeze lemon wedge.

*A bottle of Pimm’s makes about 15 Grumpy Cup servings.

Kalimotxo - Red Wine and Coca-Cola - Drink Recipe

KALIMOTXO

Red wine and Coca-cola?! Don’t knock it till you try it. Popular in Basque-country, it tastes kind of like a sangria, minus the namby-pamby chopping of fruit. Especially refreshing with a squeeze of lemon, say hello to your new summer favorite!

Ingredients
– 1 part Red Wine (try Taron Rioja)
– 1 part Coca-Cola de Mexico

Garnish: Lemon Wedge

Directions: Fill a glass with ice, and combine equal parts red wine and cola. Garnish with lemon wedge.

*A bottle of Taron Rioja makes around 8-10 Kalimotxo’s, with 3-4oz of red wine per serving.

Bittermilk Charred Grapefruit Tonic - Drink Recipe

CHARRED GRAPEFRUIT TONIC

A cool twist on a classic tonic, and easy to make! Bittermilk Charred Grapefruit is the perfect combination of citrus juices, organic cane sugar, cinchona bark, and fresh charred grapefruit peel.

Ingredients
– 1 part Rum (Try Caña Brava Rum)
– 1 part Bittermilk No. 5 Charred Grapefruit Tonic
– 1 part Club Soda

Garnish: Lime Wedge

Directions: Combine all ingredients, serve in a glass over ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

*One bottle of Caña Brava Rum and Bittermilk No. 5 Charred Grapefruit Tonic will make around 12 servings, with about 1.5oz of each ingredient per serving. You’ll have plenty of leftover rum!

 

Cheers!