January 2021

As with most of our classic cocktails, the history of the Hot Toddy is one that’s incredibly murky.

It’s safe to say that the drink is an old one, but how old for sure is impossible to tell. There is record of an Indian drink that fits the description dating back to the 1610’s but after that there isn’t a formal record until 1786.

Along with its muddled past, the ingredients in a Hot Toddy can vary wildly depending on who makes it. The short list is usually a brown spirit, hot water, spices, and sugar. But, the list is more of a guideline than anything else. Some make theirs with hot cider or tea instead of water, some add in lemon, or sub the sugar with honey. The Hot Toddy is the perfect playground for flavor – you can even make it savory by using broth in place of hot water.

Everyone has their own favorite, the only true rule is that it’s a comforting, warming drink that makes the day a little better.

Chilled Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Whiskey
• 3/4 cup Water
• 2 tsp. Raw Honey
• twist of orange rind studded with cloves
• Nutmeg

Preparation: In a small pot heat the water, dissolving in the honey once hot. Add in lemon juice and your orange rind with cloves, stir in the whiskey and move to a mug. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Want something a little more inventive? Try out some of these variations!

Gentlemen’s Rum Toddy

The Gentlemen’s Rum Toddy swaps the whiskey out for two ounces of Rum, an ounce of Apple Spice Liqueur and a bar spoon of St. Elizabeth Dram.

Dos Caminos Tequila Toddy

Prefer Tequila to Whiskey? Dos Caminos Times Square offers up this version of the comfort drink that uses Chamomile infused Reposado Tequila with agave syrup to sweeten.

Crown Royal’s Vanilla Hot Toddy

Like something with a hint of creaminess? Crown Royal’s Vanilla Hot Toddy! This simple drink is easy to mix and riffed on.

The post It’s Hot Toddy Day! appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can help ensure security and a better quality of life.

If you are struggling financially, you are not alone. Many people are looking to improve their finances. Having money gives you the freedom to do things you want to do or spend it when you want to. There are easy ways to cut back on spending like making your morning coffee at home or bring lunch to work. But what are ways that can help with the bigger picture? What are the ways to improve finances in the long run?

By just doing a few things and making small changes to your life, there are ways to secure a future ahead and improve your finances.

Improving Your Finances

1. Create a Budget

Each month take time to look through your finances and see how much has been spent vs. how much has been earned. Come up with a plan on how much money needs to be saved and what you can spend. Writing down your income and expenses then subtract your expenses to see how much each money allots to spending.

2. Set Goals

Just like anything else in life, creating and setting goals keeps you on track. These goals should be reasonable not just to save money. Set long- and short-term goals. Long term goals can include paying off your debt or student loans over five years. Write out real dollar amounts and set dates. When goals are outlined and spelled out, they can be easier to achieve.

Two Drink Max

3. Follow 2-Drink Max Rule

When going to the bar and having a night out, try sticking to the two-drink maximum rule. Not only will this rule help to balance health effects and eliminating the chance of overdoing it, but it can help save money. By only having one or two drinks at a bar, you will see an increase in the money you are saving. Especially those in big cities where having more than two drinks can break the bank.

4. Take advantage of competitions

Companies like House of Angostura, Monkey in Paradise, Casa Dragones, and more have been hosting virtual events for bartenders since COVID-19 hit. Take advantage of these events and competitions! Typically, the bartenders will be required to create a cocktail using their product, and more often than not, there is a cash prize. The beverage industry is trying to help those who have been impacted by the pandemic and keep spirits high.

5. Track your Tips

At some point, life needs to return to normal and things will begin to open up again. When bars and restaurants have their workers returning to work, make sure to keep track of each tip you get. While walking out with an envelope of $100-$400 in tips might be nice, it can be easy to blow through that cash in a blink of an eye. A good way to make sure those tips aren’t going to waste is by putting 15% (or more) of them directly into your bank account. By doing this method, you’ll be saving little bits each day and growing your savings account.

The post 5 Tips for Improving your Finances appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Today’s Drink of the Week is brought to you from Chilled 100 member, Michael Buonocore.

Currently living in Denver, Colorado where he is the beverage person at a plant-based restaurant called Somebody People.

Chilled 100 member, Michael Buonocore

He created a cocktail called Chameleon, which showcases Chareau Aloe Vera. “It has an amazing ability to brighten and lift pretty much anything it comes into contact with, in the best way possible.”

Chameleon

Chameleon

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Uruapan Blended Charanda
• 1/2 oz. Chareau Aloe Vera
• 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz. Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz. Canteloupe/Fresno Chili Syrup
• 3/4 oz. Aquafaba

Preparation: Shake or strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with fresh mint and a dash of bitters.

The post Drink of the Week: Chameleon by Michael Buonocore appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Talk about a must-have. Cranberry is a basic flavor for fall and a huge necessity behind the bar.

This fruit is the ingredient in a number of cocktail recipes as its sweet-tart flavor complements many ingredients and also lightens and brightens heavier fall cocktails. Cranberry also happens to be an essential ingredient on the Thanksgiving table, so cranberry cocktails have a natural affinity with holiday fare. Here are four refreshing cranberry cocktails to try.

Cran Cosmo

Cran Cosmo

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka
• 1 part Orange Liqueur
• 2 parts Club Soda
• 1/2 Fresh Squeezed Lime
• Club Soda Top

Preparation: Combine vodka, orange liqueur and lime juice; top with club soda.

Cran Master Sage

Cran Master Sage

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. St. George Botanivore Gin
• 3/4 oz. Cranberry Simple Syrup*
• 4 Sage Leaves
• 1/2 oz. Honey Syrup
• 1/4 Lemon
• 4 oz. The Hatchet Organic Sonoma Hard Cider
• Sage Leaf and Fresh Cranberries (for Garnish)

Preparation: Muddle sage with all ingredients but cider. Shake with ice for 15 seconds and strain into glass. Top with 4 oz. cider and then fill glass with ice. Garnish with sage leaf and cranberries on a pick.

*Cranberry Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (8 oz.) Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Water

Preparation: In a medium saucepan, bring cranberries, sugar, and water to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until cranberries are tender but haven’t burst, 10 minutes. Let cool, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard cranberries.

Cranberry Fizz

Cranberry Fizz

Ingredients:

• 1 part SKYY Infusions Coastal Cranberry
• 2 parts Lemon-Lime Soda
• Fresh Cranberries (for Garnish)

Preparation: Build ingredients in a glass over ice. Garnish with cranberries.

Cranberry Sparkler

Cranberry Sparkler

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. Champagne or sparkling white wine
• 1 oz. Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka
• Cranberries (for Garnish)

Preparation: Combine all chilled ingredients in Champagne flute and garnish with cranberries.

The post 4 Must Mix Crisp Cranberry Cocktails appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Historically, port was a key ingredient in many classic cocktails.

It’s slightly to intensely sweet profile, depending on the style, makes it an ideal secondary ingredient. Its fruitiness, courtesy of the grapes from which it is sourced, is balanced by the use of distilled grape spirit, which leads to its classification as fortified wine. Flavors can vary from nuts and chocolate to cinnamon and berries, allowing it to marry with any spirit and make a distinctive stamp on a cocktail.

All the recipes below use Sandeman Porto Founder’s Reserve, which is selected from the best juice of each vintage, combined, then aged five years. Unlike specific styles like ruby or tawny, the Founder’s combines the gentle fruitiness of youth with the depth of an aged port.

Sandeman on the Rocks

Sandeman on the Rocks

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Sandeman Porto Founders Reserve

Preparation: Pour 2 oz. port over ice. Garnish with a twist.

Ciderhouse Punch

Ciderhouse Punch

Created by Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru. This is a punch variation on a cocktail and it serves approximately 20.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle Sandeman Porto Founders Reserve
• 20 oz. Apple Cider
• 10 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• 10 oz. Ginger Syrup

Preparation: Combine ingredients into a punch bowl with ice and stir well. Serve with sliced apples and lemons inside the bowl.

Elks Fizz

Elks fizz

Provided by David Wondrich, Esquire

Originally created by Peter Sindar, who worked at Miller’s Saloon in St Paul, Minnesota. In 1901, he won the annual Plice Gazett Bartender’s Medal with it.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 oz. Sandeman Porto Founders Reserve
• 1 1/2 oz. Straight Rye Whiskey
• 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1/2 tsp. Superfine Sugar
• 1/2 oz. Fresh Egg White
• 1 oz. Chilled Sparkling Water
• 1 segment Fresh Pineapple

Preparation: In a mixing glass, stir sugar and lemon juice together. Add whiskey, port, lemon juice and egg white. Shake extra hard with ice and strain into a chilled small highball glass containing the sparkling water. Garnish with pineapple—perch it on the rim of the glass.

Suburban

Suburban

Provided by Ray Isle, Senior Wine Editor at Food & Wine Magazine
(From Dave Wondrich’s take on Esquire.com)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz. Sandeman Porto Founders Reserve
• 1 1/2 oz. Rye Whiskey
• 1/2 oz. Dark Rum
• dash Angostura Bitters
• dash Orange Bitters

Preparation: Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

The post Port and Cocktails: A Love Affair appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

There are people who enjoy beer and then there are beer lovers.

There’s nothing better than kicking your feet up and cracking open a cold one after a long day. Last year, many craft breweries were affected by the pandemic. Despite all, brewers have created a way to keep consumers coming back for more and more. Whether you fancy a bitter and hoppy IPA or a light and hazy brew, these are trends you’ll want to know.

Here are some trends to keep an eye out for in 2021.

Different Types of Beer

Sour Beer

Sour beers get their taste from organic acids that are produced by the naturally occurring bacteria. Because of their distinctive flavors, even avid beer drinkers are eager to drink them. Even people who normally don’t enjoy beer, often opt for a sour because of the sweet yet tart and sour flavor. Sour beer sales have gone up in recent years and now many breweries are hopping on the trend.

IPA is all the Rage 

IPA’s have become more and more popular as years go on. However, by the end of 2021, they’re going to be everywhere. People are drawn to that strong hoppy flavor and higher alcohol content. There will be more fruit-forward and citrus flavors.

Low & No ABV Beer

Mocktails aren’t the only things taking over. More and more brands are releasing non-alcoholic beer for those who want to be health conscious. While this trend might not be for everyone, having the option to have a drink without having to risk not having a safe ride home or an unpleasant next day.

Hard Seltzers

Hard seltzers were not just a phase — they are here to stay. As seltzers are released, breweries are finding more of a threat to a light beer because they are often 100 calories or less. Innovation in the market will continue to grow because the range of flavors, low-calorie options, packaging, and cocktail-inspired drinks are endless.

Outdoor Breweries 

With inside seating limited, having outdoor spaces will be essential for breweries’ success in 2021. No matter the temperature or season, there will be outdoor options available. These outdoor venues could include heat lamps, fire pits, beer gardens, and more. They will become the norm from now on.

Beer more Accessible 

We are already seeing this trend take off! Apps like Drizly and Tavour have made buying beer even easier than before. Both deliver beer and/or wine and liquor to your door. Basically, it’s the Postmates for alcohol. Restaurants and breweries are also including QR codes for ordering food and drinks. This makes for limited contact.

The post 6 Beer Trends for 2021 appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Meet Jess Weinstein!

The Chilled 100 member worked her way up to a corporate beverage director position where she learned about operations, team building, systems management, and collaborating with spirits brands. She mostly learned about herself and her passion for connecting with people, food, places, and beverages.

Jess Weinstein – Chilled 100 Member Washington, D.C.

With 2020 bringing many challenges and opportunities, it’s done the same for Jess. She recently took over the role for Development & Drinks at Maydan & Compass Rose. She collaborates with the team in telling the story of their world travels and celebrating regions less highlighted through their food and drink. Jess develops cocktail menus using art, poetry, and history.

Jess said, “I wasn’t sure what the next step in my journey should be. So I stepped back from the corporate role and focused on bartending again. Ironically, that is where I really started to find myself and to accomplish some of the personal and professional things I had been working towards.”

Hammam Cocktail

What’s your go-to cocktail?

Gin & Soda, no straw, no lime.

What are your favorite cocktail trends?

I think cocktails highlighting spirits, which are less traditionally highlighted in the American cocktail scene, is awesome. I love getting to see stories of unique producers and flavor profiles being brought forward and be given the attention and respect they deserve.

Do you have any unique skills / what separates you from other bartenders?

I’m here for the people. I can get down with the fun stuff but at the end of the day my core tells me that the bar space is about our guests so whatever is in the glass will always be about them.

What cocktail ingredient could you not live without? What ingredient is overrated?

Life would not be the same without mezcal. I’ve been over those mini clothespins since the first one I saw.

What’s one piece of advice you could have given yourself when you first started out as a bartender?

Take your time, keep it simple, it’s about the person in front of you. You drink what you want and give them what they want. Some guests want to go on a journey, and some want to be right where they are with what they have always loved, help them do that.

The post Chilled 100 Spotlight: Jess Weinstein appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Flavored gins have been having a moment in the U.K. and they’re starting make their way to the selves in the U.S.

We have all tried flavor vodkas that make great cocktails but flavored gin? Typically, gin is going to have a juniper forward flavor. While not all gins are made from juniper, the ones that are needs to have to be balanced when it comes to adding flavors.

For London dry-style gin, juniper will be the dominate flavor and other botanicals will flavor the gin during the distillation process without adding any color or flavor in after. However, the game changed when Hendrick’s Gin launches a cucumber and rose flavor, setting the tone for every other gin distiller.

Keep an eye out for some of our flavored gin picks.

Bombay Bramble

Pour it over ice, add a splash of tonic, and garnish with a squeeze of lime. This blackberry and raspberry flavored gin is going to take a gin & tonic to the next level. Made from fresh blackberries and raspberries, the vibrant and ripe taste will be the go-to for summer.

Bombay Bramble

Marfly Gin Con Arancia

Not only is this deep ruby red gin appealing to the eye, and on a bar cart, but it has a rich and bittersweet citrus flavor that can’t be beat. Escape to Italy and pour this Italian orange and ripe Sicilian blood orange over sparkling water for the perfect spritz.

Marfly Gin Con Arancia

Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger

This sweet gin liqueur is made with fresh rhubarb and ginger to give a sweetly spiced flavor like no other. It’s steeped for four weeks, allowing the complex flavors to become one. Enjoy it over ice and topped with your favorite Prosecco for a match made in heaven.

Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger

Sacred Cardamom Gin

A cardamom flavored gin results in a unique and beautifully fragrant gin. Produced from organic green cardamom pods with classic juniper notes supporting it. The subtle sweetness this gin has is a developing finish.

Sacred Cardamom Gin

Isolation Proof Winter Gin

While gin might not be the first winter drink that comes to mine, this winterized version will replace any whiskey you have laying around. It’s a limited-edition release that is steeped with honey from the Catskills. It also has a spot of Earl Grey tea.

Isolation Proof Winter Gin

Amethyst Lavender Gin

Amethyst starts with eight botanicals that are traditionally found in gin and adds hints of lavender. The lavender is grown at their farm at Spring Creek, which adds sublet aromas to it. It can make the perfect G&T but the addition of muddled blueberries or grapes take it to the next level.

Amethyst Lavender Gin

The post Flavored Gins are IN – Here are 6 to Try appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Attention wine lovers! Here are wine trends to keep an eye out for in 2021.

I think it’s safe to say that 2020 was the year drinking at home. Alcohol consumption skyrocketed. As we look into the future, there is a lot to be hopeful for. While we will still be enjoying our drinks at home, these wine trends for 2021 are going to be big.

Wine Bottles on a Rack

Kingston Chan, a wine expert, noted, “People throughout the ages have been merrily going about their lives with wine as a natural part of their daily routine and I predict we’ll continue to consume wine, if not more of it, into 2021 regardless of the time of day.”

Let’s see what’s on the menu for the new year.

Wine Glasses

Boxed Wines

Boxed wine has been around since the early 1980’s however, it is now becoming increasingly popular. Between the convenience factor, lower prices, and the portability of it, it can’t be beaten. Kingston says, “Box wines will make their prevailed return in the average American middle-class household.”

Wine Subscriptions

Subscription services have made it easier to get wine than ever before. With people working from home and going out less, online ordering has become a go-to. Companies like Bright Cellars and Winc has increased sales tremendously this year. Sign up and wine will be sent to your door each month. Kingston added that there will be a continued increase in wine online sales. It will only go up from here.

Orange Wine

Orange wine is completely different than your average white or red. It’s a natural process that has little to no additives resulting in a more sour and bright taste. It’s a white wine that is made like a red, causing the light orange color. Instagram has increased the sale of orange wine because people like the way it photographs.

Low Calorie/Less Sugar

People want to feel good about what they are drinking. Today’s generations want to know exactly what they are putting into their bodies, whether it’s good or bad. In 2021, millennial drinkers will likely opt for lower-sugar options.

Choosing Cheaper Options

Kingston added, “With unemployment at a record high and many Americans are either working on reduced hours or furloughed, the general public is directing their attention toward the price-quality matrix of being their consumer advocate, buying what is the best quality wine that meets their budget.”

The post What’s on the Menu for Wine in 2021? appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Ron Abuelo is adding their newest adventure to the U.S. Market — Ron Abuelo XII Años Two Oaks, Selección Especial. 

Ron Abuelo Rum

The newest aged rum is from Panama and unlike any other. It is a blend of exquisite, aged rums between eight and 40+ years. The basis rum was matured in white oak bourbon barrels then finished for an additional nine months in extra-charred American oak barrels. This yields a smooth and nuanced flavor.

Ron Abuelo Selección Especial

The idea for this arose when the third generation of the Varela family, Luis J. Varela Jr., produced a silkier version of what already existed in the Abuelo portfolio. It was something so smooth and exceptional that these new techniques needed to be used to produce this result.

The team at Ron Abuelo worked with an acclaimed cooperage house in Napa Valley. They created a series of innovative barrel techniques for the newest rum adventure: Two Oaks.

Before bottling, Two Oaks spends the last nine months in virgin American oak 200-liter barrels, that have been cut on the inside for maximum surface extraction. Inside the barrel experiences a slow and low char (365°F) for 60 minutes once it is cut. The barrel then receives a final char at a high temperature (437°F) for 20-25 seconds. Each barrel is created specifically for Two Oaks and features eight millimeters of interior black char. To finish, the barrel is then filled with 11-year-old rum for the nine-month aging process.

Two Oaks Rum

This type of barrel technique amplifies the naturally produced notes of vanilla and spice. The heat and charring, which breaks down carbohydrates into simple wood sugar, gives off delicious notes of toffee and butterscotch. The eight millimeters of char will lessen the contact with the wood’s tannins, producing a smooth, silky, and round character.

The dark mahogany liquid has a light and smoky mouthfeel. Two Oaks has intense flavors of caramel and spice with roasted coffee beans and hints of coconut. It is now available in select markets with an SRP of $59.99 and will continue to roll out nationally across the country throughout 2021.

The post Ron Abuelo Announces Newest Rum to U.S. Markets appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News