November 2020

Puerto Rico’s number one rum, Don Q, has announced a new rum to its portfolio.

The release of Don Q Gran Reserva XO is produced with the finest reserves from the distillery located in Ponce, PR.

The Don Q Gran Reserva XO is a rebranding of the Don Q Gran Añejo, the distillery’s signature blend, presented in a newly designed bottle with the brand’s updated image. The brand’s new packaging highlights the elegance of the rum, crafted by the Serrallés family for over 155 years. It brings forth the value of Don Q’s heritage, quality, and tradition.

Don Q Gran Reserva XO Bottles

The Gran Reserva XO is a marriage of rums aged in American white oak barrels, between nine to 12 years, with the addition of Solera rums, aged up to 55 years. The bright amber rum has no added sugars and its tannins, subtle oak nuances, and hints of spice, help to distinguish the award-winning flavor profile. Gran Reserva XO is best served on the rocks, neat or in a classic Manhattan or Old Fashion.

“We updated the Don Q bottle design and packaging to better communicate our brand values and create a look and feel that reflected the quality and craftsmanship of the super-premium aged rum inside each bottle,” says Philippe Brechot, President and CEO of Destilería Serrallés. “This rum blend has been a stellar expression for more than 25 years. We wanted to keep the same great blend of aged rums but present it under the new name of Gran Reserva XO as it better articulates the exclusive nature of the reserve rums that are blended to produce it.”

It meets the nose with notes of tropical fruits and spice, mixed with baked apples and roasted nuts. The rum engulfs the tongue with notes of molasses, cigar tobacco, and dark caramel. Don Q Gran Reserva XO will be available for purchase starting this month for a SRP of $49.99.

The post Don Q Rum Announces Release of Gran Reserva XO appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

With the colder weather upon us, it’s time to enjoy a warm and boozy cocktail.

The Romans are credited as the first to heat wine and other cultures have joined in, creating their own adaptations of mulled wine.

Glogg, a traditional Swedish mulled wine, is known for being served at parties throughout the holiday season. Chef Emma Bengtsson, at Aquavit restaurant, is serving her guests a drink with vodka, orange juice, star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, and red port wine. Combining all ingredients in a pot, letting simmer and stirring occasionally, the glogg then rests of two hours before straining. Unlike traditional mulled wine, almonds and raisins are put in the glass before the glogg is poured over.

Glühwein, which translates to glow-wine, is popular among Germans and Austrians. Hütte, a restaurant on the Upper East Side is offering guests to dine in the tented backyard space, molded after an Aprés Ski Lounge. Guests can have a hot drink and warm up with blankets. The drink is made with dry red wine, cinnamon, herbs, and spices. It also has a pumpkin spice flavor for a fall twist.

Glogg

Glogg

Ingredients:

• 1 spice sachet (1/2 cup raisins, 2 dried figs, 3 cardamom pods, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 cloves, 1 star anise)
• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup port wine
• 1 orange, juiced and rind
• 1 cup raw sugar or light brown sugar

Preparation: Place spice sachet in a large pot and add in all ingredients. Heat to a simmer, then turn it off and let it steep for an hour. Ladle into a cup (3oz) and top with slivered almonds and raisins.

Pumpkin Spice Glühwein

Pumpkin Spice Glühwein

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 pieces star anise
• 20 pieces cloves
• 1 bottle (750ml) red wine
• 2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

Preparation: Combine all ingredients and cook over medium heat for 2 hours, below 170° F or the wine will cook off. Take off heat and let it stand for 1 hour before straining.

The post Stay Warm with Two Mulled Wine Cocktails appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Travel the globe through your bar using cool ingredients from around the world in our new digital series, The Global Sip.

It’s likely that Guinness beer immediately springs to mind when thinking of the quintessential Irish beverage. Unsurprisingly, whisk(e)y is another top contender, with centuries of spirits lore surrounding it. But I’m here to tell you that after a lovely ten day tour of the Emerald Isle, the most impressive sip I enjoyed was at County Kerry’s own Dingle Distillery.

Traverse Dunquin Pier with Blasket Islands

Irish gins have been making international waves for a few years now, for their use of elegant and creative botanicals. But I’d argue that Dingle Gin, with its bouquet of ingredients from County Kerry that evokes a strong sense of place, is one of the finest.

Located in the charming seaside town of the same name, the Dingle Distillery was founded in 2012 by veteran craft beverage proprietors. They embraced both the classic method of English gin and the innovation of cool flavors to make a delicious end product. The industry agrees as well, because at the World Gin Awards in 2019, Dingle Original Gin cleaned up with the top prize in both the World’s Best Dry Gin Category and the Overall World’s Best Gin Category. Some of the local botanicals used in this gin are rowan berries, fuchsia, bog myrtle, hawthorne (from the fairy trees), and heather. The distillery also sources pure Irish water from its own well deep below the earth’s surface.

Dingle Gin

I’ve long heard that Ireland is magic, and I strongly agree; somehow, this product bottles up a little bit of that enchantment. Even sitting in my kitchen in the vast prairies of the Midwest, a sip of gin was enough to transport me back to the scenic Dingle peninsula, to a bustling pub with loud trad music permeating the place, new friends all around, and the scent of the sea in the air.

But don’t just trust me, try some for yourself. According to the makers, “Dingle Original Gin is best served with large cubes of ice, a wedge of fresh orange, and a sprinkling of juniper berries”.

Dingle Gin courtesy of Dingle Distillery beach shore

For a more in-depth look at the Dingle Distillery operations, consider a tour of the facility on your next European adventure. For 15 euro (roughly $17 USD), travelers can enjoy an hour long interactive history lesson about Irish spirits, a tasting of their product line, and a walk around the active distillery. Keep in mind that besides their award-winning Original Gin, the Dingle Distillery also produces an excellent portfolio of other offerings. These include a number of whiskeys as well as an artisan vodka.

And luckily for us all, Dingle is conveniently located along Ireland’s scenic Wild Atlantic Way, which I was thrilled to explore last year with Traverse Journeys. This means there’s no excuse for you not to sample this creative, smooth gin both in your home bar and at the distillery itself. Add it to your travel bucket list And your grocery list.  Sláinte!

The post Global Sip: Dingle Gin Delights Worldwide appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

The weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter, and many of us are falling into a state of consistent existential dread.

It’s exactly the time to have a warm and soothing cocktail to help get cozy and relax.

Mulled Hot Rye Cider

Mulled Hot Rye Cider 

Courtesy Scott Harris, founder and general manager of Catoctin Creek Distilling Co.

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 Gallon of Apple Cider
• 2 Satsuma Oranges
• 1 Honey Crisp Apple
• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 10 Cloves
• Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye whisky

Preparation: Thinly slice the oranges and apple horizontally. Pour the cider in a large pot and add the slices of fruit, the cinnamon sticks and cloves. Bring to a boil over high heat then lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 30 minutes until fragrant. Fill up mugs about three quarters full and add about an ounce of rye whiskey to each mug. Garnish with an apple or orange slice, half a cinnamon stick and cloves. 

Best Spuds

Best Spuds

Courtesy Brandon “Habi” Habenstein, beverage director of The Kitchen & Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Bardstown Bourbon Co. Fusion Series
• 1 oz. Sweet Potato Butter*
• 3 oz. Boiling Water
• Freshly Grated Nutmeg

Preparation: Combine bourbon and sweet potato butter in a mug. Top with boiling water. Stir to combine. Grate nutmeg on top. 

*Sweet Potato Butter 

•  2 cups Peeled, Chopped Sweet Potatoes
•  8 tbsp. Unsalted Butter
•  1/4 cup Raw Sugar
•  1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
•  1/2 tsp. Salt
•  1/8 tsp. Ground Ginger
•  1/8 tsp. Ground Nutmeg

Preparation: Boil peeled, chopped sweet potatoes until quite soft (~20 minutes). Drain liquid and mash while hot. Add remaining ingredients to mashed potatoes. Stir until thoroughly blended––the creamier, the better.

Mulled Bourbon Cider

Mulled Bourbon Cider

Courtesy Tory Pratt, founder, Pratt Standard Cocktail Co.

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. Pratt Standard Cocktail Co. Tonic Syrup
• 4 oz. Apple Cider
• 1 Cinnamon Stick

Preparation: Pour cider and tonic into a microwave safe mug and heat until boiling, usually 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the bourbon and stir briefly to combine. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

The post Three Hot Cocktails To Keep You Cozy In Uncertain Times appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

With the 2020 Halloween season in the rearview mirror, you’re probably wondering what to do with that left-over candy.

These Halloween treats pair great with a glass of wine and after all, one of the best things about adulthood is having a glass of wine at the end of the night.

Uncork your bottles and grab the left-over candy bowl. It’s time to treat yourself.

Caramel creams pair great with dessert wines like a port wine. Port wines are much richer and sweeter than a traditional dry wine, so they pair perfectly with a decadent and chewy caramel. Next time you see a caramel cream, sip it down with a Warre’s Quinta Da Cavadinha Vintage Port. With notes of fruit aromas and spicy florals, the two will complement each other.

Quinta Da Cavadinha Vintage Port with Caramel Creams

While Moscato is a sweeter wine, sipping on a cold, crisp glass with a Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Crème chocolate bar will be a match made in heaven. The creamy texture of white chocolate with the crunch from the cookie is the perfect combo with a glass of Risata Moscato D’Asti. The wine has a fresh and honey flavor that can’t be matched.

Risata Moscato D’Asti with Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Crème

Who doesn’t love a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon? Next time you reach for a glass, be sure to pair it with some left-over Halloween candy like Reese’s Pieces. The bold and fruit flavor of the wine with the creamy peanut butter will give reminiscent of a childhood classic: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of toasted hazelnut and cinnamon that will accompany the peanut butter flavor.

Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon with Reese’s

Sour Patch Kids are a popular treat but if you have any left over, you’d be surprised at how well it pairs with a sweet Riesling. The candy starts out sour and leaves a puckering face but the longer they are eaten, the sweeter they get. Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling has notes of peach, pineapple and honey that that will balance out pungency of those sour kids.

Nerds has a sweet crunch that can’t be replaced and dependent on the flavor, the fruity candy makes a delicious pairing with a glass of Rosé. Depending on the Rosé, it can either be dry or sweet. Côtes de Provence Rosé Whispering Angel is a premium and delicious wine that will harmonize with Nerds candy.

Côtes de Provence Rosé Whispering Angel with Nerds

Merlot’s have a fruit forward flavor but that doesn’t mean they don’t taste great with a side of Kit Kats. The malty chocolate wafer is great balance with the juicy Merlot notes. Try Wildhaven Merlot Columbia Valley with notes of blueberry and cedar with a crunchy Kit Kat bar.

Wildhaven Merlot Columbia Valley with Kit Kat

Butterfingers have decadent and delicious layers of chocolate and a buttery toffee crunch. Chasing down the sweet treat with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc will be a refreshing balance. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc has an elegant and classic flavor with notes of juicy white peach and a dry finish. The two will be perfect companions.

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc with Butterfinger

The post Seven Wines to Accompany Halloween Candy appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

The world’s largest family-owned spirits company has made an eco-friendly spirits bottle that will biodegrade in 18 months.

Bacardi leaped forward to help the fight against climate change and plastic pollution by announcing to have sustainable spirit bottles on the shelf by 2023.

The 100% biodegradable bottles will help to replace the 80 million plastic bottles or 3,000 tons of plastic that are currently being produced by Bacardi every year. This is all possible thanks to their close collaboration with Danimer Scientific, a leading developer, and manufacturer of biodegradable goods.

Bacardi uses Petroleum-based plastics that will be replaced by Danimer Scientific Nodax PHA, a biopolymer that comes from natural oils of plant seeds like palm, canola, and soy. Regular plastic can take over 400 years to decompose, the new spirits bottle can biodegrade in a wide range of environments like compost, soil, freshwater, and seawater after 18 months. It will disappear without leaving any harmful microplastics behind.

Bacardi Innovative Paper Bottles

Bacardi rum will be the first spirit to appear in the bottle and the company’s 200 brands including BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, GREY GOOSE vodka, PATRON tequila, MARTINI vermouth, and DEWARS Scotch whisky are to follow.

The brand will also be creating a sustainably sourced paper bottle along with the 100% biopolymer spirits bottle.  Despite being environmentally conscious, the Nodax PHA polymer will ensure the quality and taste of the spirit inside the bottle.

Jean-Marc Lambert, Senior Vice President, Global Operations for Bacardi, said, “When we set ourselves the goal of being 100% plastic-free by 2030, we knew that it would take ground-breaking advances in packaging design to make it achievable, and that’s exactly what’s happening through our partnership with Danimer.”

This announcement by Bacardi represents a step toward the company achieving its goal to be plastic-free in the next 10 years. The company has also committed to removing all non-essential, single-use plastic, including plastic gift box materials and plastic point-of-sale materials in the next three years.

“Nodax PHA is one of the most promising eco-friendly materials in the world today because it delivers the biodegradability that consumers demand without losing the quality feel they receive from traditional plastic,” said Scott Tuten, Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer at Danimer Scientific. “The material provides the best of both worlds, and we look forward to working with Bacardi and incorporating PHA into their iconic packaging.”

Find out more about Bacardi’s sustainability commitments and its vision to become the most environmentally responsible global spirits company at BacardiLimited.com/Corporate-Responsibility.

The post Bacardi Helps in Fight Against Plastic Pollution with 100% Biodegradable Bottle appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

November 1st starts the beginning of Old-Fashioned Week and Glendon Hartley is providing a cocktail kit to celebrate with.

Glendon Hartley

Hartley, of DC’s Service Bar, partnered with SaloonBox, an artisanal cocktail subscription service, and Santa Teresa 1796 rum, to create the one of a kind West Indian Old Fashioned Kit.

West Indian Old Fashioned Kit

Hartley is the son of West Indian immigrants and comes from a long line of Trinidadian restauranteurs. The cocktail is inspired by his family’s history. The chipotle cacao bitters to the turban curry powder are both influenced by his take on Trinidadian cuisine.

Old Fashioned Cocktail kit

While a traditional Old Fashioned is made with whiskey, this Caribbean-inspired cocktail wouldn’t be the same without rum. Therefore, Hartley uses Santa Teresa 1796, a Venezuelan brand that has a flavor profile matching a scotch or whiskey.

Santa Teresa 1796

The kit is limited edition and features the below ingredients to make 8 West Indian Old Fashioned cocktails for $110, including shipping.

• One 750ml bottle of Santa Teresa 1796
• One 4 oz. bottle demerara syrup
• One bottle Chipotle Cacao Bitters
• Turban Curry Powder
• Chai black tea bags
• Dehydrated orange slice
• 4 wooden cocktail stirrers

The post Bartender Releases Cocktail Kit for Old Fashioned Week appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Two-Drink Maximum: Strategies for becoming a moderate drinker.

As a bartender with a passion for her craft, Brenda Riepenhoff knows the celebratory nature of alcohol. Despite this, she is also aware of the pitfalls of excessive drinking and the blurring lines between celebration and overdoing it. As a result, the Ohio native who currently slings cocktails at Brooklyn’s Westlight, the panoramic rooftop bar from Chef Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group, has a bevy of strategies for herself and others that she employs in order to imbibe responsibility.

Brenda Riepenhoff – Chilled 100 Member, NY

“I think the number one tactic is to have a drink of water in between whatever you’re enjoying,” says Riepenhoff, who notes that a glass of H20 will not only prevent a hangover, but also slow you down. “It gives your body time to process the alcohol. You’ll stop yourself if you drink it slowly and you won’t get too intoxicated.”

Another key is imbibe mindfully. Says Riepenhoff: “Only drink things you really want to drink. I don’t have the same drink twice in one night, unless it’s so utterly delicious.” While she notes this tactic doesn’t work for everybody, the idea of savoring cocktails is of paramount importance. “Don’t drink something just because you think it’s simply okay.”

Two clever tactics that work for Riepenhoff personally happen when plans to go out when are first being made. “I’ll plan to go out with someone who doesn’t drink a lot,” she says. “Getting drinks with moderate drinkers makes for an ideal support system.”

Brenda Riepenhoff, Westlight

The other is to think monetarily: “Set a budget in advance and don’t buy cheap drinks. If you spend it on a good quality cocktail and not simply beers and or shots at the bar, it’ll entice you to drink less so you won’t break the bank.”

Finally, the flipside of an exciting night out is a focused and healthy day. “If you go to the gym regularly, it’ll deter you not to ruin your progress,” says Riepenhoff, who regularly takes boxing and yoga classes around New York City along with going to a gym around five days a week. “If you have a class early the next morning, you have an incentive not to stay out all night.”

Says Riepenhoff of her overall moderate drinking strategy: “Make plans for yourself and hold yourself accountable. General health and moderate drinking should always be a goal.”

The post Two-Drink Maximum: Strategies for becoming a moderate drinker appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

With travel brought to halt for 2020, Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel is sharing their cocktail recipes so those who can’t go to Paris, can still experience the magic.

Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

The new cocktail menu, launched at the hotel’s signature Bar Les Ambassadeurs, invites those to an art-focused stroll around the capitals lesser-known neighborhoods.


An illustrated tourist map providing a visual of Paris and its unique art installations from works with renowned artists like Banksy and Keith Haring. The menu is a showcase of the city’s hidden gems with a craft concoction created to honor the sites.

Effendi

Effendi

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Remy Martin VSOP Cognac
• 1 oz. Manzanilla
• 2/3 oz. Honey Syrup (2/3 honey 1/3 water)
• 2/3 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1/3 oz. Aquafaba
• 1 1/3 oz.  porter
• 1 Ice Ball

Preparation: In a cocktail shaker, add the cognac, manzanilla, honey syrup, lemon juice and aquafaba. Shake well for 7 seconds. Add the porter to the mixture and shake.  Place the ice ball in a tumbler and pour the mixture over it, filtering it with a cocktail strainer. Garnish with an ear of wheat and a slice of dried lemon. Serve. 

Couler Café

Couleur Café

Ingredients:

• 2/3 oz. Reserve coffee Woodford Whiskey (infusion of coffee beans roasted for 24 hours)
• 2/3 oz. Montenegro
• 1 1/3 oz. Madeira Barbeito 10
• 1/4 oz. Maple Syrup
• 3 dashes Bitter Truth Drops & Dashes Wood

Preparation: In a mixing glass, add the whiskey, Montenegro, madeira, maple syrup and bitter. Mix for 20 seconds. Pour the mixture in a digestive glass.  Garnish with a skeleton leaf.

The post Cocktails Inpsired by Paris’ Iconic Street Art appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

The current state of the world has everyone questioning whether bars will open back up, how they are going to get their cocktails, and what will happen next.

Every brand has released a ready to drink (RTD) to their roster in hopes their consumers won’t have to stress about making a cocktail.

Cool Cat Wine Spritzers

Cool Cat, an NYC-based business, is a new line of low-calorie wine spritzers. The company has recently launched its two first flavors: Original (Elderflower Mint Lime) and Citrus. These naturally flavored RTD’s have already been seen in NYC hot spots like STK Downtown, The Standard Hotel, and Bottino. The base of the spritzer is California Pinot Grigio and cane sugar. The naturally gluten-free drink is just 150 calories, two carbohydrates, and has a 6.9% ABV in the 12 oz. can.

Cool Cat isn’t the only brand sporting its new RTD. HEINEKEN USA has parented with Hornell Brewing Company, an affiliated entity of AriZona Beverages to bring hard seltzers to the U.S. market. The AriZona SunRise Hard Seltzer, made with a splash of real fruit, comes in four flavors and will be available in both 12-packs (variety) and single-serve cans.

AriZona SunRise Hard Seltzer Variety Pack

Launching in 2021, the AriZona SunRise Hard Seltzer will be sold in four AriZona juice flavors like their Mucho Mango, Cherry Punch, Lemon, and Grapefruit. The gluten-free beverage will contain 100 calories with a 4.6% ABV.

AriZona SunRise Mango Hard Seltzer

“AriZona is an iconic player in the beverage industry, famous for bringing delicious and all-natural non-alcoholic products to diverse consumers across the United States and worldwide. HEINEKEN USA brings strong relationships with the distributor and retailer network and extensive manufacturing and brand building expertise in alcohol. Together, we teamed up to both do what we do best. We intend to broaden the appeal of hard seltzer by bringing more people to the party,” said Don Vultaggio, Chairman AriZona Beverage Company.

Besa mi Vino

Besa mi Vino or Kiss my Wine was developed by two brothers, Michael and Roddy Radnia, who saw a gap in the industry for ethically responsible brands. Based in LA, the brothers created this organic canned sparkling wine in 2019 with little to no experience in the wine industry.

The Radnia brothers wanted to provide a clean and sustainable label wine for their consumers that was organic, vegan, and sulfite-sensitive. After visiting over 100 wineries, they found the exact wine that met their standards.

Besa mi Vino, made specifically for a can, has a 12.5% ABV and contains 0 grams of sugar. Sold in two flavor profiles, Just Right White and ALL DAY Rosé, they are sold in 300 stores through California but are also available for purchase online at drinkbesa.com.

The bright, pink, and refreshing ALL DAY Rosé has a crisp and dry finish —with aromas of ripe strawberry, red berries, and fresh sage. Just Right White has a light and bright finish with aromas of jasmine flowers, fresh yellow peach, and a little fizzy.

The post New RTD’s To Have on Your Radar appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News