February 2019

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s Annual Convention & Exposition returns this spring from March 31 to April 3 for the 76th year in a row.

The Orlando, Florida convention brings together brands and distributors to showcase all the new, cool things happening in the beverage business this year. While you can expect to find the same great events like competitions and tastings that WSWA is known for, this year brings an exciting new day for the conference as they kick it off with the inaugural Retailer and Consumer Day.

Wine Tasting

Retailer and Consumer Day will take place on Sunday, March 31 and features a whole new lineup of events you won’t want to miss. All of these sessions are open to registered convention attendees, but retailers and consumers who aren’t attending all four days of events can purchase a one-day ticket. We’re especially excited about this lineup because it’s full of educational sessions that cater to the consumer and spirits professional alike. Here is a preview of what you can expect from this inaugural day:

Christie Brinkley with Her Line of Bellissima Wine

Master Mixology Class: Sponsored by Chilled Magazine, this exciting session will open with a TED-like talk on bartending trends and close with small group demonstrations divided by spirit type, including gin, vodka, bourbon and whiskey, and tequila. Both industry pros and consumers will benefit from the topics, which will cover the acid/base balance in cocktails, flavor combinations, and the importance of using the proper tools and glassware. A marketplace will give attendees a chance to purchase spirit-related items like books, bar tools and aprons.

Wine & Spirits Marketplace: This is a first chance to meet and greet some of this year’s registered exhibitors. Peruse this two and a half hour event to experience those who are showcasing their products, brands and services at WSWA.

Natalie Migliarini of Beautiful Booze

Wine Seminar: Join WSWA member experts to hear the latest on wine trends. This seminar will open with a talk about what’s currently going on in the world of wine consumption, what’s being planted and how influencers are driving consumer behavior. Following the talk, a wine tasting will showcase both established brands and up-and-coming labels that may not yet be available on the market. Finally, attendees will get to learn about innovative wine packaging like pouches, cans and kegs and put their palate to the test with a blind tasting. Sponsored by The Somm Journal and featuring keynote speaker Bob Bath—the head beverage professor at Culinary Institute of America, Greystone and COPIA—this is a wine-lover’s event that’s not to be missed.

WSWA Supplier Leadership Series: This first session in the newly-developed WSWA Supplier Leadership Series is all about Distribution and Brand Building: How to Get to Market and Compete in Today’s Challenging Environment. In this educational session, a panel will discuss some of the most pressing distribution-related questions, including brand building, how to stand out in a sea of similar skus, alternative three-tier compliant rules to market, finding venture capital, and navigating compliance and state laws. These WSWA members and industry leaders will offer great insight on how educating yourself in these areas could dramatically impact how you do business.

If you’re attending WSWA or are interesting in checking out this amazing day of wine and spirits events, you can learn more at WSWAConvention.org.

The post WSWA Returns With an Inaugural Retailer and Consumer Day appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

As the Greek islands and are being swarmed with tourists, the oldest, yet most memorable, travel destination in the country should be at the top of your list: Athens.

The ancient city contains some of the most breathtaking sights in the world, from historical architecture to modern restaurants, wine bars and lounges. When you visit this city, you can experience some of the top bars in the world.

The first one on your list should be The Clumsies, which has been ranked number seven in the world by The World’s Best 50 Bars. One of the many delicious beverages you need to try is the Iona’s Regalia. Made with a mix of Skinos Mastiha, Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch, aquafaba (chickpea water), almond milk and a pumpkin cordial, it has a sweet, spicy flavor that almost resembles an iced cappuccino.

The Clumsies

The menu has something for everyone, and many of the cocktails nod to The Clumsies’ Greek surroundings. We also loved the Fortified Baklava Wine (mead, Bacardi 8 Rum, Beurre Noisette and baklava spices) and the Green House Sour (Star of Bombay Gin, Ancho Reyes Verde Liqueur, sauerkraut syrup, aquafaba and lemon), which has one of the most interesting ingredient lists we’ve seen.

Oinoscent is another spot you don’t want to miss when visiting Athens. This wine room and pairing spot has been open for 11 years and has more than 700 labels from around the world, including an impressive list of Greek wines. Oinoscent has also employed the 2016 champion of the Best Greek Sommelier competition, Sklavenitis Aris. If you visit this cellar and wine bar, look out for some of our favorite bottles that we’ve tried, including PLANO Malagousia and Xinomavro Thymiopoulos.

Sense Restaurant

The luxurious Sense Restaurant should also be on your radar, which is an eatery that is perched atop the Athens Luxury Hotel. At Sense, you’ll enjoy classic Greek cuisine and cocktails paired with unmatched views of the Acropolis, the Parthenon and an immaculate 180-degree view of downtown Athens. Here you can enjoy a bottomless Bloody Mary brunch, along with distinguished cocktails and wines to complement your delectable meal. If you are craving more delightful sights, treats and drinks, head over to the luxurious Strofi Restaurant. The mid-war venue serves classical Greek bites along with an array of wines, ranging from whites and reds all the way to delightful Grecian dessert wines.

Moorings Restaurant

If you are drawn to the water, make your way to Moorings in Marina Vouliagmenis. Here you can experience lush cuisine, cocktails and coffee on the Mediterranean Sea. Toast to the glittering water with one of their signature drinks—we’re fond of the Black Canary (Pampero Rum, banana, walnut, lapacho tea and citrus powder) and the Geisha’s Opium (Tanqueray Ten Gin, fortified rosé wine, creme de violette, yuzu and vanilla absinthe). Follow your meal and drinks with a palate-cleansing limoncello.

If you’re on the hunt for your next vacation spot or getaway, try Athens. From the beautiful layout of the ancient city to the fine dining and up-and-coming cocktail scene, there is something for everyone to enjoy. YAMAS!

The post The 5 Best Places to Drink in Athens, Greece appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Stay Gold, a popular NYC cocktail bar that opened its doors in 2018, is serving a drink that would make King Midas proud.

Created by bartender Matt Piacentini, the Silver Meets Gold is a Margarita variation that features Patrón Silver Tequila and is adorned with a 14 karat gold salt rim. The swanky cocktail is inspired by the Patrón Tequila Margarita of the Year contest, which is now down to eight finalists. Anyone can vote daily for their favorite recipe until April 24 when Patrón will crown a winner.

The Silver Meets Gold is a twist on a traditional Margarita that mixes rich demerara syrup and dry curacao to give the drink its sweetness. The glass is rimmed with chili lime sea salt and gold flakes to give it a decadent, glittering finish. Stay Gold will have the Margarita on their menu until the end of February, but you can make it anytime at home with the below recipe.

Silver Meets Gold

Silver Meets Gold

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Patrón Silver Tequila
• 1 oz. Dry Curacao
• .75 oz. Lime Juice
• 1 bar spoon Demerara Syrup
• Chili Lime Sea Salt (for Rim)
• Gold Flakes (for Rim)
• Lime Wheel (to Garnish)

Preparation: Add equal parts chili lime sea salt and 14 karat gold flakes to a plate, and stir to mix. Rim a rocks glass with lime juice and dip it into the gold salt mixture to rim the glass. Add the liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel dipped into the leftover gold salt mixture.

The post This NYC Cocktail Bar is Serving a 14 Karat Gold Margarita appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

We love it when a liquor brand taps an artist to design a beautiful, limited-edition bottle because it makes our bar cart look that much cooler.

This winter, there was no shortage of awesome collaborations, but these four stood out the most. Try to snag one for yourself before they’re all gone.

Buchanan’s DeLuxe Blended Scotch Whisky x J Balvin Limited Edition

This custom design of Buchanan’s award-winning, 12-year-old blend was created by global Latin music artist J Balvin, who has partnered with the brand for its Es Nuestro Momento campaign since 2016. The exclusive release marks the brand’s first-ever product collaboration and represents its commitment to celebrating the greatness of the Latin community. J Balvin has pursued his dreams and pushed boundaries in music, making significant contributions to mass culture while staying true to his roots. Through the J Balvin limited edition design, the brand toasts the impact of Latin culture on art, music, fashion and beyond, and all those leaving their mark on the world.

During the multi-year partnership, the brand and J Balvin have worked to bring the Es Nuestro Momento spirit to life. Together, they have celebrated rising music talent, giving producers and creators a chance to feature J Balvin on a track. Buchanan’s Blended Scotch Whisky has also sponsored Balvin’s last two U.S. tours, encouraging fans of legal drinking age to “leave their mark” at the brand’s Casa Buchanan’s tour experience. Most recently, they have spotlighted artistic talent with a national pack design contest. The Buchanan’s DeLuxe Blended Scotch Whisky x J Balvin Limited Edition Design will be available wherever fine spirits are sold with a suggested retail price of $31.

Buchanan’s DeLuxe Blended Scotch Whisky x J Balvin Limited Edition

Hennessy V.S Collector’s Edition by Vhils

Hennessy collaborated with artist Alexandre Farto—aka “Vhils”—to release a work of art in its own right. The V.S Collector’s Edition by Vhils was unveiled for the first time on December 5th at a private event in Miami during the city’s renowned Art Basel festival. The limited release includes 100 individual pieces that are hand-signed and designed using Vhils’ famed “making the invisible visible” technique for which he has become a global phenomenon. For Hennessy, Vhils’ approach to his art is a fitting metaphor for the art of Cognac-making: both rely on the unpredictable, immutable force of time and elements. For each, the creative process is a poetic quest to make the invisible visible.

The Hennessy Very Special Collector’s Edition is a multi-dimensional case made of several layers of colored resin that have been chiseled, spliced and peeled away, layer by layer, to reveal the bottle within. Each layer of acrylic is printed with a design that pays tribute to Hennessy’s rich heritage, inspired by vintage advertisements and posters found by the Lisbon-based artist within Hennessy’s archives. The order and arrangement of layers in each Collector’s Edition is unique, revealing different images that vary based on the angle of observation. The original artwork is the most intricate and personal piece in Vhils’ multi-faceted collaboration with Hennessy. The Hennessy Very Special Collector’s Edition by Vhils is available for purchase at Clos19.

Hennessy V.S Collector’s Edition by Vhils

Woodford Reserve 2019 Kentucky Derby Bottle

Woodford Reserve just releases its 2019 Kentucky Derby bottle, which will be available in stores starting March 2019. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Derby bottle and a special year-long exhibit at the Frazier History Museum—the start of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in downtown Louisville—to celebrate that milestone. This year’s limited-edition Derby bottle features the colorful artwork of Keith Anderson and showcases thoroughbreds racing across the front. This is the second year that Anderson has been chosen to have his work featured on the collectible annual release.

All 20 Woodford Reserve Derby bottles, the original artworks used to design the labels and other artifacts—including specialty glasses and Woodford Reserve’s $1,000 Mint Julep cups, which are sold on Derby Day for charity—will be on display in Woodford Reserve & the Kentucky Derby: Two Decades of Artistry, Bourbon and Horse Racing, a temporary exhibit at the Frazier Museum. The exhibit, which opens March 20 and runs for one year, will be housed within The Spirit of Kentucky, a large permanent exhibition about the history, craft and culture of Kentucky bourbon that the Frazier opened last August. The 2019 Kentucky Derby bottle hits shelves nationwide and globally with a suggested retail price of $43.99. It can also be purchased starting today at ReserveBar in approved states.

Woodford Reserve 2019 Kentucky Derby Bottle

Crystal Head Vodka John Alexander Artist Series Bottle

Crystal Head Vodka’s bottle is already one of the coolest on the market, but their first limited-edition version is truly collection-worthy. John Alexander is the creator of the signature Crystal Head bottle, a design that is an exact rendering of a human skull. He is a renowned American artist whose work can be found in museums across the United States, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Known as a painter of environmentally-conscious landscapes and satirical figurative work, this limited-edition bottle finish is derived from Alexander’s expressive 1988 oil painting ‘Dancing on the Water Liles of Life,’ which is currently on display in the Dallas Museum of Art. The decoration process of these limited-edition bottles takes place in a small artisanal workshop in Milan. Each of the 25,000 bottles have been hand-decorated by one of three highly-skilled craftsmen, and then numbered to further emphasize its scarcity.

Crystal Head Vodka is additive-free and crafted using the highest quality sweet corn, then blended with pristine water from St. John’s, Newfoundland. It’s four times distilled before being filtered seven times, three of which are filtered through 10,000 Herkimer diamonds. The John Alexander Artist Series No.1 bottle is available in a 750 mL format with a suggested retail price of $149.95.

Crystal Head Vodka John Alexander Artist Series Bottle

The post 4 Limited-Edition, Artist-Designed Liquor Bottles You Should Buy Now appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Balcones Distilling recently announced the launch of its Texas Pot Still Bourbon as the newest addition to their core expression lineup.

Following the celebration of the brand’s 10th anniversary last year, Balcones is expanding its prestigious roster of whiskies with the launch of a new year-round straight bourbon whiskey.

Distilled in their Forsyth pot stills and aged for 24 months in new charred oak barrels, Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon is bottled at 92 proof and features a mash bill of roasted blue corn, Texas wheat, Texas rye and malted barley. Staying true to their tradition of creating expressions layered with flavor and using unique grain combinations, Texas Pot Still Bourbon offers superior quality, complexity and character within a familiar bourbon flavor profile.

“Texas Pot Still Bourbon is about inclusivity. We wanted to create something that both long-time Balcones enthusiasts and people who are experiencing us for the first time can appreciate. By delivering flavor complexity within an approachable taste profile, we can introduce more people to the nuance of what we do.”
– Jared Himstedt, Balcones Distilling Head Distiller

Texas Pot Still Bourbon

The bourbon boasts opening aromas of Honeycrisp apples, kettle corn and graham cracker. On the palate, it delivers honey, sweet cream and candied pecans and finishes soft and sweet with a tannic fade and lingering spice. This new expression joins other award-winning special release bourbons from Balcones including Blue Corn Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon and High Rye Bourbon, which have been produced exclusively in small batches in the past.

Makers of the first legally sold Texas-made whiskey since Prohibition, Balcones has become one of the most recognized and acclaimed craft whiskey distillers in the world, earning more than 350 awards, including Innovator of the Year and Master Distiller of the Year at the 2019 Icons of Whisky America Awards. Texas Pot Still Bourbon is available year-round beginning in Texas, Florida and California for a suggested retail price of $29.99.

The post Meet Texas Pot Still Bourbon, the Newest Expression from Balcones Distilling appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Puerto de Indias recently announced the U.S. debut of its Strawberry Gin that hails from Seville, Spain.

The expression is a disruptive gin that is taking the category by storm, quickly rising to the number four selling gin in its homeland (according to data for IWSR Global Gin Insights) and number nine on the world stage. Beginning this month, Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin will be available in New York, Florida and Illinois.

Puerto de Indias has crafted this Strawberry Gin through the expert blending of delicate citrus and juniper gin with fresh distilled strawberries. The result is a wonderfully accessible gin with a deliciously fresh and subtle taste of strawberry and a visually stunning pink color that dares to be different.

“Our Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin is the first and best-selling strawberry gin in the world. “Beginning with our launch in Spain five years ago, it has enjoyed instant success among consumers with each successive market we open and is credited with giving birth to a completely new category of rosé gins. We are absolutely thrilled to now introduce U.S. consumers to our unconventional gin that is sure to change the way they think about gin forever.”
– Jose Sedano, International Development Director for Puerto de Indias

Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin

Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin is produced at the Los Alcores de Carmona Distillery, located just outside of Seville. The distillery was founded in 1880, making it one of Spain’s oldest and most traditional distilleries. Brothers Jose Antonio and Francisco Rodriguez Fernandez purchased the historic distillery to restore and preserve it for future generations.

The brothers began distilling aniseed, fruit and herbal liqueurs, and soon shifted their sights to gin with the goal of creating a product that would challenge traditional gin conventions and flavors and appeal to a wider breadth of consumers. While their initial experimentations did not include strawberries, through an unexpected twist of events, Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin was born.

To support the launch, Puerto de Indias has established a team of dedicated state managers who will oversee local programming, sampling and merchandising. In addition, PR and advertising efforts will help build trade and consumer awareness and support launch activities in these markets. Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin is available in a 750ml bottle and retails for a suggested price of $26.99.

The post Puerto de Indias Launches a Strawberry Gin in the United States appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

If you’re a fan of spice, you don’t have to wait for an exotic meal to get your fix.

In fact, it’s easy to add a little zing to your next cocktail hour with drinks that are infused with chiles and spicy liqueurs. The next time you have a hankering for some extra scovilles, whip up one of these three spicy cocktails that deliver a kick.

Bombay Heat Wave

Bombay Heat Wave

Chocolate, overproof rye and chili-infused Jägermeister come together in this mouth-numbing cocktail from Gupshup’s beverage director Seth Allen. Absinthe and two types of bitters add a bite that balance and elevate the drink’s drier, spicier notes.

Ingredients:

• Absinthe, to Rinse the Glass
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters
• 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
• 1 oz. Chili-Infused Jägermeister*
• 1 oz. Wild Turkey 101 Rye
• Shaved Chocolate (to Garnish)

Preparation: Rinse the inside of a rocks glass with absinthe and discard the excess. Add the rest of the ingredients, save for the garnish, to a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into the rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with shaved chocolate.

*Chili-Infused Jägermeister

Ingredients:

• 15 Dry Red Chiles
• 1 liter Jägermeister

Preparation: Add dried chiles to the Jägermeister. After 24 hours, taste for heat, spice and flavor. When the desired flavors are extracted, strain out the chilis.

No. 239

No. 239

Think of this libation as a close cousin of the Spicy Margarita, but with much more unexpected flavors. “I wanted to incorporate more savory notes in this drink,” says Nightshade lead bartender Connie Kim. “It has a little bit of saltiness, spice and acidity in the cocktail as well as from the Korean sweet and sour pickle garnish.”

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Lime Juice
• .75 oz. Yuzu Kosho-Ghost Pepper Syrup*
• .5 oz. Salers Gentiane Aperitif
• .5 oz. Lustau Vermut Blanco
• 1.5 oz. Espolon Blanco Tequila
• Smoked Salt, for the Rim
• Korean Pickled Watermelon Radish (to Garnish)

Preparation: Rim a rocks glass with the smoked salt. Add all liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the rocks glass. Garnish with the pickled watermelon radish.

*Yuzu Kosho-Ghost Pepper Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 tbsp. Yuzu Kosho Paste
• 1 Dried Ghost Pepper

Preparation: Add water, sugar and yuzu kosho to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Strain into a heatproof container and add the dried ghost pepper. Allow to strain for one minute and remove.

Cobra Fang

Cobra Fang 

Michelin starred Rasa serves up contemporary Indian cuisine with fresh California produce, but you won’t just find spice in their rich curries and sauces. Their cocktail program is just as fiery and features drinks like the Cobra Fang, which is mixed with smoky blended scotch, tropical mango and spicy habanero.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Blended Scotch
• .5 oz. Ginger Liqueur
• .75 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 Small Ripe Mango, Peeled and Chopped
• 1 Small Habanero
• Caramelized Apple Slices (to Garnish)
• Brandied Cherry (to Garnish)

Preparation: In the bottom of a shaker tin, muddle the fresh mango with a few small pieces of habanero. Add the liquid ingredients to the shaker with ice. Shake and double strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with caramelized apple sliced and a brandied cherry.

The post 3 Spicy Cocktails That Add a Kick to Cocktail Hour appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Roughly 55 million people visit Chicago each year, but only a few lucky souls get enjoy a tour at the KOVAL Distillery, simply by staying at The Blackstone Hotel and choosing their Tapping the Barrel package.

Guests who book the experience receive free transportation to the nearby distillery, followed by a private tour and tasting. They even get to take home a special recipe for an exclusive cocktail that’s only available to them.

“It was an instant connection,” KOVAL Outreach Coordinator Emily Williams says. “The Tapping the Barrel tour is something different than your traditional ‘touristy’ experience.”

One should not expect a dry, jargon-filled tour because KOVAL, one of the nation’s largest independent spirit manufacturers, routinely hosts a variety of events that cater to an exceptionally diverse crowd. The tour is both entertaining and enlightening with plenty of laughs and a chance to taste, smell and even touch the products and ingredients—you’d be surprised how relaxing it feels to let grain run through your fingers. Along with the fun, KOVAL takes educating the crowd seriously, and that means being prepared to handle an increasing number of imbibing aficionados.

“Oh let me tell you, the tough questions have been coming out!,” Williams says. “It’s been amazing to see how enthused people are about the process. I’ll hear questions like, ‘What level char do you guys use in your barrels?’ So, I better know my stuff.”

KOVAL Bourbon

After a long talk with Williams and Abby Boler, the KOVAL PR and communications coordinator, it seems unlikely that they get stumped often. And their enthusiasm is palpable, maybe because dedication to knowledge and a love of people comes from the top. Sonat Birnecker Hart, president of KOVAL, founded the distillery in 2008 with her husband (and fellow academic) Robert. Sonat has a master’s degree from Oxford and a Ph.D. from the University of London. But, after a decade of lecturing in the United States and Germany, she decided to give up her tenure to work with her husband, spend more time with her child and open Chicago’s first distillery since the 1850s. “It’s been so cool to see how drawn people are to both the story of the business,” Boler says. “People are fascinated by it.”

And that’s why KOVAL, which serves the United States and more than 55 export markets, cherishes good business partnerships. “For [KOVAL], rather than spend a lot of money just blasting out our product, we are really figuring out who we can align with,” Boler says. “Who shares our values? Who shares our mission in educating the public in the art of distilling and also paying attention to the quality of the ingredients?.”

KOVAL Cocktail Flight

The Blackstone is one of those businesses, and as it turns out, the feeling is mutual. KOVAL distilled something special for hotel as a tribute to their ongoing support. “KOVAL Distillery’s commitment to the craft of spirit making and rich history made them a natural partner to create a proprietary spirit for The Blackstone,” says The Blackstone general manager Pierre-Louis Giacotto. “The hotel’s hand-selected batch of KOVAL Distillery bourbon is available to guests as an in-room amenity. Tapping the Barrel is an expansion of this partnership and offers guests an inside look at KOVAL’s creative process, as well as a taste of The 2008, an exclusive cocktail developed by the hotel and distillery only available to guests who book this package.”

It seems fitting that KOVAL and The Blackstone, a city landmark, would work together. Though the hotel first opened in 1910 and gained a reputation for hosting presidents, celebrities and even Al Capone, its $139 million renovation in 2008 (the same year KOVAL opened) helped turn the hotel into both a monument to Chicago’s history and its current culture, as it’s home to more than 1,000 art pieces and celebrates the city’s cocktail scene.

The Blackstone Hotel Autograph Collection Lobby – Timothy’s Hutch

The Blackstone lobby is home to Timothy’s Hutch, a small, custom-made hutch that serves as a cocktail bar where visitors can enjoy drinks, live music and listen to stories from The Blackstone’s culture curator, Megan Mitman, about the hotel’s most famous guests. “Day or night, Timothy’s Hutch is a piece that truly defines the social, historical and playful nature of The Blackstone,” Giacotto says. KOVAL has been a part of that Hutch, including a takeover, which is part of The Blackstone’s initiative to showcase skilled artisans from a range of fields.”

KOVAL Distillery offers an array of spirits, but their bourbon is truly special. Their organic, single barrel bourbon is made with the necessary 51 percent corn. But instead of relying on rye or wheat for the rest of the mashbill, KOVAL Bourbon is comprised of millet, a gluten-free, ancient grain that is commonplace within the spirits industry in places like Nepal. After aging in American oak, the bourbon offers sweet, familiar notes, along with more robust flavors of American whiskey. Another current favorite is its Cranberry Gin Liqueur, which combines KOVAL Gin’s signature 13 botanicals with the bounty of the region’s cranberry farms. It’s a spectacular combination that tastes like a beautifully-mixed cocktail.

KOVAL Distillery Still

These spirits and more are all available for discovering when choosing The Blackstone’s Tapping the Barrel program, where guests get to enjoy a stay downtown, a trip to Chicago’s neighborhoods, music, history, culture, art and a few drinks. Go ahead and treat yourself to all of the above—it is a vacation, after all.

The post KOVAL Distillery and The Blackstone Hotel Teamed Up for Chicago’s Coolest Tour appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

It’s a nostalgic ride driving through Door County, a Wisconsin peninsula situated between Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

This 70-mile finger of land houses cities with quaint names like Egg Harbor and Fish Creek. Time seems to slow as you pass through Ephraim where nearly all the houses are painted white, an ordinance originated by Moravian settlers. The town feels pure and pristine, which is perhaps enhanced by the knowledge that it was a dry city until just a few years ago. But even before residents voted to allow the sale of beer and wine in restaurants, visitors only needed to drive a few short miles to the next city to imbibe.

The area boasts 300 miles of coastline, 11 lighthouses, five state parks, and is one of the largest producers of apples and cherries. Some local businesses are making use of the produce abundance by creating locally-sourced fruit wines, hard cider, beer and spirits. If you’re traveling to the area, here are all the wineries, distilleries and breweries you need to visit in Door County.

Door Peninsula Winery and Door County Distillery

Door Peninsula Winery and Door County Distillery share the same building. The distillery is the first in the area to produce vodka, gin and fruit-infused vodka distilled with the clean, limestone-infused waters from the Door Peninsula.

Door County Brewing Company Winery

The winery is the oldest in Door County and the largest wine producer in the state of Wisconsin. They source as much as possible from Wisconsin and make all 60 of their wines and ciders onsite. Their mead, Cherry Mimosa, and rosé are sourced entirely from Door County, utilizing the nearby orchards and farms producing cherries, apples, blackberries and other fruits used in their wines and ciders.

Door County Distillery opened in 2011, the first in Door County since prohibition. They also source locally as much as possible to make vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, moonshine, infused spirits and their own bitters.

Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market

At Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery, many of the fruits used in their wines are grown and harvested right from their orchards and vineyards, which span about 100 acres. There is a farm market that’s been in business since 1975, offering freshly picked fruits, pick your own fruits and local fruit products. Just a short walk to the barn is the winery, which has beenopen since 1985, that offers complimentary wine and hard cider tastings of 40 different varieties and guided tours during the season.

Orchard Country Winery & Market

When asked why Door County for a winery, Lautenbach marketing director Carrie Lautenbach-Viste said, “Door County is a true wine destination with an ag-tourism appeal. With eight wineries all on one peninsula, each offering their own unique touch, our surrounding waters and climate are perfect for growing the fruits/cold-climate grapes. Plus, you’ll find beautiful scenery, charming towns, great restaurants and attractions for every demographic.”

Door County Brewing Company

Door County Brewing Company Cocktails

You’ll find two beer labels under one roof at this brewery in Baileys Harbor, WI. The Door County Brewing Company brand creates beer inspired by classic styles—very easy drinking, approachable beers. They pair perfectly with the activities traditionally going on in Door County, like relaxing on the water, going for a hike or adventuring out into the snow. Created just more than a year ago, their new Hacienda Beer Co. label gives their brewers freedom to experiment with trendy styles and weird ingredients and processes.

Door County Brewing Company Tap Room

The Hacienda team currently focuses on creating juicy, hop-forward ales, thick milk stouts and barrel-aged mixed fermentation beers. Together, both labels provide something for everyone in one place, whether you are a beer nerd chasing the hottest thing or a casual beer drinker looking for something to leisurely sip outdoors.

When Door County Brewing Co. was started more than five years ago, there wasn’t much in terms of good, locally-produced beer. John and Angie McMahon used the brewery to bring their family back together in this place they love so much. A brewery is the perfect gathering place for a community, which is why they also opened the Door County Brewing Co. Music Hall in Baileys Harbor. McMahon says their focus is on bringing the community (both locals and tourists) together using beer and great live music.

Shipwrecked Brew Pub

“We’ve been brewing in Door County for 21 years and can’t imagine being anywhere else,” says Shipwrecked Brew Pub marketing director Beth Levendusky. “We brew our standard ales and seasonal selections with ingredients from Door County and Wisconsin like Montmorency cherries, wild spruce tips and even lactose for milk stouts.”

Shipwrecked Brew Pub

In 1997, the current owners purchased the building that was formerly home to the Harbor Inn and reopened it as Shipwrecked. This restaurant, brewery and inn serves travelers and locals with delicious pub fare, refreshing ales brewed onsite and comfortable guest rooms. The brewery prides itself on presenting 100 percent hand-crafted Door County beers.

Hatch Distilling

Chris Roedel

Owner Chris Roedel says Hatch Distilling is the only distillery in Door County making all of their spirits from scratch. Roedel is a beekeeper and their vodka and gin are made from honey from his hives. The botanicals in their gin include locally-foraged juniper berries and new growth White Spruce tips.  Roedel says they work with an orchard just one mile to the north to press the apple cider for their apple brandy production. Another local organic farm provides the grains for their whiskey production. They are passionate and committed to preserving the Wisconsin farming tradition.

Hatch Distilling

“Door County’s microclimate is perfect for the agriculture sectors we have such a close relationship with,” Roedel says. “This is a perfect place to keep bees. There is abundant land left unmanaged and mono-cropped that provides fantastic forage our honeybees. The climate protection provided by Lake Michigan makes this a fantastic orchard region. We have a strong foundation of organic farms committed to farming sustainably here in Door County. All of this on the supply side paired with a strong arts and culture scene make this a perfect place to craft an honest product.”

The post Every Winery, Distillery and Brewery to Visit in Gorgeous Door County, Wisconsin appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

For a bartender, perfection is difficult to achieve.

Often they are only one person who is talking to two people, making four drinks and plugging them all into the POS system at the same time. But even so, technique is one aspect of bartending that typically remains constant, and bad habits are easy to pick-up and difficult to break. Whether it’s by compromising balance by under – or over-pouring, or adding ice at the wrong time, these technical mistakes can affect the guest experience and hamper their perception of the bar’s quality. So we sat down with three of New York’s best bartenders to shed light on the most common technical drink-making mistakes so you can double-check your methods and make the absolute best cocktails possible.

Conor Myers, Underdog NYC

Not Controlling the Temperature of the Drink

Stirring and shaking cocktails are very precise processes that can make or break a good cocktail. “I’m oddly fascinated by many things, temperature being one of those,” says Conor Myers, the creative director of Underdog NYC and Bacardi Legacy Finalist. “It kills me to see bartenders tediously measuring ingredients with such finesse and then serving an under- or over-diluted drink. Whether it’s down to not building the drink/round correctly, not using the appropriate amount of ice, or serving in an un-chilled glass if it’s served up, temperature is key.” Myers notes that in a simple but extra strong cocktail like the Martini, this step can make or break the drink.

Marcio Ramos, The Honeywell NYC

Ditching the Double Strain

Even if you shake your cocktail the perfect number of seconds, remaining ice shards can dilute the drink in minutes, ruining all of your hard work. That’s why Marcio Ramos, head bartender at The Honeywell, puts a lot of emphasis on the double strain. “You put so much effort and love into your amazing drink, why tarnish it by not double straining?” he says. “The patron spends anywhere from $12 to $25 per cocktail—the last thing they want is for it to be watered down. Bartenders make these great drinks and leave all the shards of ice, instead of a clean drink. Within two to three minutes, your drink is about 35 percent diluted.” Ramos notes that cocktails that contain crushed ice, like tiki-style drinks and swizzles, are the exception to the rule.

Shannon Ponche, Leyenda

Not Jiggering Properly

Some bartenders freepour, and that’s okay for something simple like a Highball. But for cocktails that require balance and precision to get the flavors just right, proper jiggering technique is crucial. “Holding the jigger level [is necessary],” says Shannon Ponche, the head bartender at Leyenda. “But pouring extra in after using a jigger and not rinsing out a jigger after pouring something thick or creamy can really mess with the balance of a cocktail. Over-pouring can create an unbalanced drink and cost the bar money.”

The post 3 Technical Mixing Mistakes That Can Ruin a Cocktail appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News