Tag Archives: tequila

Our Top Picks For Dad … and they’re not all whiskey!

It couldn’t be easier. Come in store, tell us a bit about your dad and we’ll help you find the
bottle he’ll love this Father’s Day. Heck we’ll even wrap it for you. It’s that simple. Here are our top picks, a mix of hard-to-find, new-in-store, and just plain delicious.

For The Dad Who Takes Any Chance He Can To Talk About His Whiskey Collection
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Highland Park Valkyrie

The newest offering from Highland Park is the first in a three-bottle series showcasing “Viking Legends.” Don’t let this bottle’s lack of an age designation fool you. It has wonderful fruit and spice flavors and is remarkably smooth at 92 proof. It’s brand-spanking new and is already racking up the awards. Let your father know he’s as important to you as Odin!  $79.99 (750ml)

Glenfiddich Experimental Series #1: India Pale Ale Cask

This brand new whiskey is the first single malt scotch ever aged in IPA casks. It has a totally unique finish with a subtle fruit & hoppy character and is delicious. Very limited availability on this one, so scoop it up for your Dad’s collection before it goes away.  $69.99 (750ml)

For The Classic Dad Who Keeps It Real 
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The Singleton of Glendullan Classic 12yr

A beautiful scotch that won’t break the bank. It was unavailable in Little ‘Rhody for a spell, but now it’s back. It’s delicate and light with a soft finish. It’s a classic malt for a classic Dad.       $36.99 (750ml)

Gordon & Macphail Scapa 10yr

From independent bottlers Gordan & MacPhail this is a classic Orkney malt that will surprise with its unique, subtle peat character and light tropical notes. Not as aggressive as most island whiskies, the Scapa has just the right amount of peat & fruit for summer evenings under the stars. $69.99 (750ml)

For The Dad Who Doesn’t Like Whiskey (They Do Exist!)
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Bumbu Rum

Dad doesn’t like whiskey? We have you covered! One of the best new rums on the market is the Bumbu, out of Barbados. It’s a craft rum made with all-natural native spices and no artificial flavors or colors. It’s distilled in small batches and blended by hand. It has wonderful hints of spice and fruit. We like it best neat, or with a cube or two. $34.99 (750ml)

Grand Mayan Ultra Aged Tequila

Looking for something totally special this Father’s Day? How about a tequila that finishes like a brandy! The Grand Mayan Ultra Aged is simply one of the most unique and delicious spirits we’ve tasted in a long while. It has very little “bite” and appeals to tequila drinks as much as those who favor dark spirits. It’s a terrific gift.  $89.99 (750ml)

For The Dad Who Deserves A Little Extra Special Love This Year
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Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary

A special bottle for the collector’s shelf. This celebratory release commemorates “The Master Distiller’s Master Distiller” Jimmy Russell’s 60 years with wild Turkey. It’s a blend of bourbons ranging in age from 13-16 years old, and will be sought after for decades. A true treat for bourbon lovers. $114.99 (750ml)

Happy Father’s Day!
(Prices subject to change.)

Pasote – The Rainwater Tequila

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Pasote tequila, on sale at Bottles through September 5, 2016.

The agave plant usually gets the lionshare of attention when tequila lovers talk about flavor and aroma. But the type and quality of the water used during the distillation process also plays a big part in the how the beloved Mexican spirit smells and tastes.

Which is why Pasote Tequila, introduced to the market earlier this year, is so distinctive. It’s made with 40% rainwater that is collected on site at the El Pandillo distillery in the Jalisco Highlands. The additional 60% is natural spring water.

The rainwater character is most noticeable in the easy-drinking blanco, which has a wet mineral and wet grass aroma similar to the fresh smell of the air just before a summer rain. It’s a touch sweet, with a citrus and briney flavor.

The reposado, aged in American oak, is herbal, with notes of ripe coconut. The anejo, with its longer barrel aging, opens with aromas of sweet vanilla and coconut, and finishes with flavors of roasted oranges and spicy cinnamon.

Always suckers for strong label art, we can’t end without talking about Pasote’s custom-made bottles. The screenprinted artwork features a different warrior on each of the three bottles in homage to the ferocious Aztec fighters who celebrated their victories and sacrifices by drinking the sacred agave. The bottles are hand crafted by a family of glass artisans, and each has slight asymmetries and distinctive wave patterns visible in the glass.

All three styles are distinctive enough for enjoying alone on ice, and are also ideal for cocktails.

Enjoy!

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Oaxaca Tequila Hot Chocolate & Bourbon Latte!

It’s cold outside today so we took a trip (do we really need an excuse?) to New Harvest Coffee & Spirits located in the newly restored Arcade in downtown Providence, RI. We met with Assistant Manager, Erick Ambrust who mixed up a couple of delicious hot cocktails to warm us up; Bourbon Latte and Oaxaca Tequila Hot Chocolate. (Pronunciation video here>)If you’re ever wandering around DownCity in the cold then definitely drop in and give these a try!Check out their recipes below and stop by our store to grab all the ingredients you need when those single-digit temperatures get truly terrifying…

new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
Oaxaca Tequila Hot Chocolate 
 
8 oz Steamed milk
1.5 oz Dark chocolate syrup
1.5 oz Casamigas Blanco Tequila
Top with whipped cream (homemade & delicious at New Harvest!)
Garnish with chili powder and dark chocolate shavings
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
Bourbon Latte
8 oz Steamed Milk
2 oz Espresso
.5 oz Cinnamon simple syrup
1.5 oz Your Favorite Bourbon
*We used Evan Williams Single Barrel, but also recommend Redemption High Rye!

new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
Their artisanal coffee beans are harvested, milled, roasted and brewed sustainably.
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca

Mixing up their homemade whipped cream!

new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
Stay warm, folks!
Bottles Fine Wine – 141 Pitman Street, Providence, RI
www.bottlesfinewine.com

New Harvest Coffee & Spirits – The Arcade Providence 130 Westminster Street, Providence, RI
www.newharvestcoffee.com

 

Happy Halloween! Try Our Spoooky Cocktails!

This Halloween we’re showcasing our most chilling concoctions with free downloadable printables–perfect for your next self-serve bar! Feeling a little Lovecraft-inspired? Try The Lurking Fear. Taking a nice walk through walls? Phantasma may be more your speed. Completely brain drained? Mix up the Re-Animator. All with just 3 ingredients in each!

printables, lurking fear, phantasma, re animator, cocktails, halloween, free

Download Cocktail Signs PDF here!

SELF SERVE BAR SET-UP
– Have an ice bucket with tongs, a cocktail shaker, bottle opener, bar spoon, and rocks glasses.
– For mixers, have Angostura bitters, simple syrup, ginger ale, club soda, tonic water, and ginger beer.
– Include handles of a few staple liquors like Bourbon, Vodka, and Rum.
– Pre-slice a bowl of garnishes (oranges, lemons, limes)

Let your guests play bartender! Everyone has variations on how they like their drink mixed. A self serve bar with helpful cocktail recipe signs lets them make the perfect drink to their own taste.

Ready for something with more than 3 ingredients? Check out this month’s Halloween cocktails below!

The Last Word

Ingredients
3/4 oz gin – Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin
3/4 oz green Chartreuse
3/4 oz Maraschino Liqueur – Luxardo
3/4 Fresh Lime Juice

Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour ingredients over ice. Shake and strain, serve on the rocks.

Corpse Reviver #2

Ingredients
1 oz gin – Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz Lillet Blanc
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1-3 drops absinthe – Mata Hari

Directions
First, “rinse” your glass with a few drops of absinthe by swirling and coating the inside of the glass, discarding the extra. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour the rest of the ingredients over ice. Shake and strain, serve on the rocks. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Blood & Sand

Ingredients
1 oz blended scotch
1 oz blood orange juice or Stirring’s Blood Orange Martini
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
3/4 oz Cherry Heering brandy

Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour ingredients over ice. Shake and strain, serve on the rocks. Garnish with an orange peel.

Find more videos and cocktail ideas on our YouTube channel and our Cocktail Recipe Page.

How to Infuse your Booze


Infusing spirits is easy! Time and the ingredient do all the hard work for you. Infusing is also a great way to use seasonal herbs and berries, and a way to add that special touch to summer cocktails.

Simply pick a base alcohol (such as vodka, gin, or tequila) and add your favorite aromatic, such as fresh strawberries or basil. Experimentation is key! Once satisfied with how your infused booze tastes, strain it, and then use it in your favorite cocktail recipe.

1. Start with a Base Spirit.
  • You don’t have to spend a fortune on a base spirit! Vodka and Gin are classic choices, and White Vermouth is another great light slate to work with.
  • Add your spirit to a canning jar or closed, food-grade container or pitcher.
 
 

2. Add your ingredients.

  • Basil or cilantro are two of my favorites with vodka to create a delightful Bloody Mary. Another great spring herb is chervil, which adds a licorice flavor for a really interesting gin gimlet. 
  • Berry infusions take a little longer, about a week but the results are heavenly. Strawberries work well with reposado tequila to create a fresh margarita! Just chop them up before adding to the jar.
  • Jalapeños added to tequila also make great margaritas! Slice crosswise or lengthwise.
  • Experiment and try combining flavors! Cilantro and lime, cucumber and melon, chai tea leaves and basil…the possibilities are endless!

3. Shake or stir.

  • Give it good stir before closing your container and putting it in a cool, dark place (closets and cabinets work well).
  • Once a day, gaze at your creation, give it a good shake and put it back in the cabinet.

 

4. Strain when finished.
  • How will you know when your infusion is ready? Well you must try, try, try your infusions everyday. A very tough job! It’s remarkable the difference in taste between day one and day three. The flavors become stronger and really pop.
  • When your infusion is ready, take a coffee filter and be sure to pass the infusion through multiple times, straining out any solids.
5. Use it in cocktails for a new twist.
  • Strawberry Tequlia Margarita!
  • Basil Bloody Mary!
  • Chervil Gin Gimlet!
  • Lime Rum Mai Tai!

Looking for more ideas?

Our friends at Edible Rhody Magazine have provided a great basic recipe for infusions.

Sisters Alicia & Erin have a great blog “Boozed and Infused”, which has a ton of recipes and photos detailing the process.

Cheers!
-Joanna

Phantasma: Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Halloween and Dia de los Muertos are just around the corner! Phantasma is a Halloween cocktail idea created by the folks here at Bottles, a fine wine, craft beer, and liquor store in Providence, Rhode Island. To help you celebrate for Halloween, here is an easy tequila cocktail recipe that uses only 3 ingredients: Kah Tequila Blanco, Cocchi Americano, and fresh lemon juice. Watch the Cocktail Video 

Phantasma

Ingredients
1.5 oz Kah Blanco Tequila
1.5 oz Cocchi Americano
3/4 oz lemon juice
Lemon garnish

Directions
Add ice to shaker. Add tequila, Cocchi Americano and lemon juice. Shake and then strain into a glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge or lemon zest. Enjoy!

The Kah Tequila Blanco skull bottle is hand painted to represent a traditional Calaveras, or sugar skull, which is used in Day of the Dead rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. The word “Kah” translated to life in the ancient Mayan language.

Kah’s distiller’s use 100% hand selected Blue Agave, and is both certified organic and Kosher. Kah Tequila Blanco has sweet notes of cooked agave with a spicy white pepper punch, and is silky, delicate and smokey. This tequila is great on the rocks or for mixing in cocktails.

Cocchi Americano is moscato d’asti, a sweet white wine fortified with a touch of brandy and flavored with gentian root, cinchona bark, along with orange peels and herbs. Cocchi Americano makes a delicious aperitif or great base for mixing. Read this article to learn more about Cocchi Apertivo Americano’s resurgence in craft-cocktail bars across America. The New York Times also has a great article on this Italian aperitif wine.

In the area? Bottles has all the bartending and cocktail supplies you’ll need. We are also happy to deliver or ship your order to you. For more information, visit our website at www.bottlesfinewine.com, call us at (401) 372-2030 or email us at info@blog.bottlesfinewine.com.

Cheers!


Find more videos and cocktail ideas on our YouTube channel and our Cocktail Recipe Page.