February 2021

Vodka is an ideal base for cocktails.

The spirit’s clear and mild taste makes it mixing friendly. While a Vodka Martini is simple and easy to make, it’s time to branch out and create other cocktails that are just as good. Making cocktails at home is fun because you can experiment with different flavors, techniques, and customize any drink to your liking.

It wouldn’t be right to not embrace the plethora of options this spirit has to offer.

Here are four vodka cocktails that are worth making.

Erock Passion

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. Enchanted Rock Vodka 
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. Sweet and Sour
• 1 1/2 oz. Orange Juice
• 1 1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice
• Garnish with a lemon

Preparation: Combine ingredients into your favorite Martini glass and garnish with a lemon wedge.

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Urban Shed

Ingredients: 

• 3 parts Broken Shed Vodka
• 1 1/2-part Orange Liqueur
• 1 1/2-part Cranberry Juice
• Fresh Lime Juice

Preparation: Add ice, shake and pour into a cocktail glass with a lime garnish.

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Royal Elixir 

Ingredients: 

• 1 750 ml Bottle Van Gogh Vodka  
• 24 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
• 36 oz. Coconut Water

Preparation: Add ingredients directly into a pitcher with ice and stir briefly. Pour out into punch glasses and garnish with an orange wheel.

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NEFT Black Gold 

Ingredients: 

• 1 3/4 oz. NEFT Vodka 
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
• 3 Cucumber Slices
• 2 dashes Activated Charcoal

Preparation: Shake all ingredients in a mixing tin with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a salt rim, cucumber ribbon, and gold flakes. 

The post 4 VODKA COCKTAILS TO SIP THIS WEEK appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Start the countdown to St. Patrick’s day with The Dubliner Irish Whiskey and the Chilled 100!

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey teamed up with seven Chilled 100 bartenders in markets across the US to develop a range of cocktails featuring their Irish Whiskey aged in Bourbon Casks. Not only is this exciting project a delicious way to down to St. Patrick’s Day, it’s also a celebration of the line’s new packaging design. The brand has taken a modern cue and updated to a typography-focused label.

The first cocktail in the series comes from New York based Zev Glesta!

“Snowy Joey is Inspired by a recent winter storm. I wanted something warming that had soft spice and a touch of minty cooling.

The Snowy Joey is well balanced by the honeyed Benedictine and the rich, mentholated fernet. These two together make for a great drink, but with the addition of Dubliner it became ever more harmonious. Based off a classic Irish coffee, the Snowy Joey is a bit boozier and more spiced with smooth finish from the creamed topping. A definite crowd pleaser to both begin or end the night for the upcoming St. Paddy’s Day.”

“Snowy Joey”

By Zev Glesta, NY

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Dubliner Irish Whiskey​
• 1/4 oz. Benedictine​
• 1/4 oz. Fernet Branca​
• 1/4 oz. Demerara syrup​
• 5-6 oz. Hot coffee (americano works best)​

Top with a heavy dollop of sweetened cinnamon whipped cream.

The post START THE COUNTDOWN TO ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH THE DUBLINER WHISKEY COCKTAILS appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Meet Christian Rider!

Christian is part of the Chilled 100 Group in the Minnesota market. He is a fan of craft drinks and weird conversations. Christian likes to tweak ratios and ingredients. He gets his inspiration for cocktails from food.

What inspired you to become a bartender? Tell us about your background.

Starting as a host where your job entails bending over backward for the worst the guest population has to offer, there was nothing more attractive to me about life in a restaurant than the backbone bartenders displayed and how they seemed to get away with telling off those same guests that made life miserable in my position. I think that was a big part of my initial attraction to tending a bar.

After becoming a bartender at a high-volume sports/family bar, I found myself wanting more than pouring captain cokes. I made the move to a craft cocktail bar my friend Paige McInroy was pushing me to join and have never been happier behind the bar.

Where do you tend bar now? What makes it unique? Distinctive drinks, décor, a certain vibe?

Volstead House, Eagan Mn. We’re a whiskey cellar masquerading as a speakeasy on Google maps. Our craft cocktail menu is on par with the best in the state. And it’s hard to talk about our spot without acknowledging the 1000 bottles on the wall. We doubled down on being the cocktail lounge in the south metro. We attract whiskey lovers and cocktail enthusiasts as well as people new to craft drinks and booze in general. More of a night out experience than a party bar.

Who has been most influential in your development as a bartender? A mentor, a parent, a fellow bartender, and why?

Laura Blair, Chris Elvebach, and Tyler Powers were the bartenders that trained me as a barback and taught me what it takes to make it behind the bar. My current mentor is Brian Reiss, one of the best bosses I’ve ever had and with a bar philosophy, I respect and acknowledge. He leads from the front and treats us as competent individuals. If we mess up there’s a conversation and it’s fixed going forward. Very much a bar program that allows us to grow and come into our own in this industry. Even among our sister restaurants, our bar program stands above the others.

Do you have any advice for novice/at-home bartenders?

Read. Books are your friend and best teacher. Always try out those recipes and make friends with your local tenders. They’re valuable resources and founts of knowledge.

What is your favorite ingredient right now and why?

Black garlic. I spent most of December 2020 making some at home and I fell in love with the result.

How do you go about creating a new cocktail? Is there a specific process or simply a moment of inspiration?

Food. Whether it’s an orange creamsicle or the smell of a prime rib. Making a cocktail more often than not starts with the desire to taste something I thought was delicious. Choosing the right medium and template for that idea is what really shapes the rest of the process.

Do you have a special technique you use or a tip for making a particular drink?

Use a spindle mix for your egg drinks and save yourself time and joint pain. And if your daiquiri isn’t funky, throw on a James Brown record and grab some Jamaican pot still.

Where do you see the bartending/cocktail culture headed?

I can’t speak much to high-volume party culture, but I’ve noticed a shift towards more quality/craft drinks regardless of venue. I’m looking forward to getting a craft drink in rural Minnesota sometime soon in the next few years.

The post CHILLED 100 SPOTLIGHT: CHRISTIAN RIDER appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

American singer and actress Jackie Tohn was born and raised in New York.

Tohn’s natural music ability speaks for itself. The guitar and ukulele-toting-singer-songwriter used it to steamroll her way to the Top 24 of American Idol (season 8). Ryan Seacrest himself gave Jackie the nickname, “Miss Personality.” Her sound was described by LA.com to be: “pretty pop with a twitch; a paradox of vulnerability and arrogance, honesty and exaggeration, swagger and silliness.” Her vocals, eclectic outfits and fanny-packs left an imprint on America and the judges.

Along with her idol fame, Jackie is praised for tracks of her own. All three of her albums (“The Golden Girl EP” (2005), “Beguiling”(2008), and “Jackie Tohn 2.YO” (2010)) received critical acclaim and on available for listening on iTunes.

Acting professionally since she was 12 years old, Jackie’s has built her career through features in shows like The Closer, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Sopranos, Veronica Mars, The Nanny, Memphis Beat, and CSI: NY to name a few. One of her larger roles can be seen on Bravo’s Summer Show, Platinum Hit (2011). Platinum Hit follows 12 emerging musicians as they compete in a series of innovative songwriting challenges testing their creativity, patience, and drive. From dance track to love ballad, every episode features a different theme that will has contestants writing and performing lyrics from multiple genres.

Chilled got the opportunity to sit and chat with Jackie about what she has been up to and what is on the horizon for her career.

Tell us about the projects you are working on.

I am hosting and judging a new cooking competition show on Netflix called Best Leftovers Ever! In each episode, three cooks take last night’s leftovers and turn them into high end cuisine, competing for the chance to win ten thousand dollars!

With your busy schedule, what do you like to do with your downtime?

In non-COVID-19 times, I love to hike and travel to a new country once a year if I can. These days, I chill on the couch with my dog Glen and cross stitch with cult documentaries on in the background.

When you go out to eat, where do you like to dine?

I love sushi, so Sugar fish always does the trick. I am a Jewish girl from New York, so of course I love Jerry’s Deli. I love Blairs in Silver Lake and Gwen in Hollywood when I’m feeling a little fancier.

What types of dishes do you typically order?

I love a good piece of fish and vegetables. BIG soup gal over here. I love curry, poke, rice bowls, Italian food.

Any favorite bars?

Bar Covell and The Varnish.

What drinks do you order when out?

I like wine, though I am not much of an aficionado. The red ones are typically good! So are the white ones when I really think about it. If I’m doing a cocktail, I exclusively go Mexican Mule.

Do you prepare drinks at home?

I occasionally have sake at home with sushi. I like my sake like I like my coffee. Hot, cold, or as a shot. Does not matter to me!

Tell us about your home bar. What is it stocked with?

My home bar is stocked with various unopened bottles of liquor and wine I’ve been given over the years. Which one I open first is anyone’s guess. The most recent addition was this fancy bottle of tequila. It had a vodka sibling that I gave to my neighbor—which I now deeply regret.

Have you ever been a bartender?

I have not!

If you could share a drink with anyone, who would it be?

I would have to say Howard Stern. I have been a superfan of his since I was a teenager. Listening to him really helped shape my comedy and how I felt about pushing boundaries when I was coming into my own as a comedian.

The post CHILLIN’ WITH JACKIE TOHN appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

February 18th marks National Drink Wine Day!

While we don’t limit wine drinking to one day out of the year, it’s a fun holiday to celebrate. If you’re looking to switch up the regular wine you’ve been drinking, try pairing it with one that’s compatible with your zodiac sign. Learn a new wine that aligns with the stars in your horoscope. We choose wine based on food, mood, and weather so why not try basing it off of your zodiac sign?

Aries

(March 21-April 19)

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and they are all about new adventures. They tend to go with anything that has an eye-catching label and grabs their attention on the shelf. A red blend will always be a good choice. The full-bodied taste will pair with their bold characteristics.

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Taurus

(April 20-May 20)

A classic Merlot is perfect for one of the Earth signs. Both simple and easygoing, Taurus will love this type of varietal. They know what they like, and they stick to it.

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Gemini

(May 21-June 20) 

Geminis have the gift of always being able to see both sides of a situation. They tend to be endlessly curious and open-minded, so a lively wine is best. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc will complement their expressive personality.

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Cancer

(June 21-July 22)

As the first water zodiac sign, Cancers are most intuitive and sensitive. While they have a tough exterior, their interior is soft. They love good, nourishing foods, familiar faces, and a bottle of Pinot Noir. Just like Cancers, the grapes of Pinot Noir are hard to grow and need time to warm up to their surroundings.

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Leo

(July 23-August 22)

Leos represent the energy of creativity and are ruled by the sun. Their personalities come to life when they are in a crowd and when they’re the center of attention. Leo’s fiery soul is the perfect match for the flavor of Grenache. The cinnamon notes and spicy flavors demand attention.

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Virgo

(August 23-September 22)

Virgos enjoy a clean and orderly space — the simpler the better. They are sweet and gentle, like a nice glass of Riesling. Because of their strive for perfection, they are a match made in heaven. Virgos try to create a world that is pure and fresh.

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Libra

(September 23-October 22) 

Libras strive to cultivate balance and fairness, as they are the socialite and mediator of the zodiac. They love to mingle with ease and grace and enjoy an upbeat wine like Syrah wines. Libras want to make everyone happy with their rich and bold characteristics.

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Scorpio

(October 23-November 21)

Scorpios are the most focused and intense of the signs. They feel everything deeply and their emotions provide the fuel for meaningful actions. They prefer a quality wine that is rich and complex like Malbec. Both are balanced and passionate

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Sagittarius

(November 22-December 21) 

This sign tends to live by the “go big or go home” mantra. They enjoy laughter, big-dreaming, and where they are traveling next. Treat Sagittarius’ with a wine that attracts a wide variety of people, as they do, like Cabernet Sauvignon. They both possess versatility and sweetness.

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Capricorn

(December 22-January 19)

Capricorns are goal-oriented and ambitious people. They feel that no mountain is too high and need help to unwind with a classic wine. A glass of Pinot Grigio is just the trick. Both are strong leaders and a bottle of Pinot Grigio embraces their desire for being successful and popular in a crowd.

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Aquarius

(January 20-February 18)

Aquarius’ are controlled by the planet of innovation, Uranus. They are fascinated by things with tech and science and always want to progress when it comes to social justice. They tend to be free-spirited and can relate to the bubbly nature of sparkling wine.

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Pisces

(February 19-March 20)

This old soul of the group tends to be deep because Pisces is represented by the ocean. They are healers and passionate romantics who will reach for a glass of Rosé. Their gentle nature and charm are what draws them to this sweet wine.

The post CELEBRATE NATIONAL DRINK WINE DAY WITH WINE FOR YOUR ZODIAC  appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Kendall Jenner took to her Instagram yesterday to announce the launch of her tequila company, 818.

The model and Keeping up with the Kardashian star shared that for the past four years, she has been on the hunt for creating the best tequila. Unlike her sisters, Jenner has gone off the beaten path with her new solo business venture.

The brand’s Instagram says coming soon, with no exact launch date or prices. The 25-year-old is releasing three types of tequila: Reposado tequila, Blanco tequila, and Añejo tequila.

Jenner posted a slide show on her Instagram, showing the awards won, her friends sipping the tequila, and her blindly tasting and choosing 818 as the better drink.

She captioned it, “For almost 4 years I’ve been on a journey to create the best tasting tequila. After dozens of blind taste tests, trips to our distillery, entering into world tasting competitions anonymously, and WINNING ().”

She noted that her family and friends have been drinking the tequila all last year.

“…3.5 years later I think we’ve done it! This is all we’ve been drinking for the last year and I can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on this to enjoy it as much as we do! @Drink818 coming soon.”

The tequila was submitted to spirits competitions, anonymously, and won several awards before it was even launched. This swift marketing move paid off as the brand received eight awards including, World’s Best Reposado Tequila at the World Tequila Awards and a Platinum Award for their 818 Añejo at the SIP Awards.

The hand-crafted tequila from Jalisco, Mexico is all the hype. Jenner’s sister, Kim Kardashian, showed her appreciation for the tequila on Instagram. “So proud of you! I wasn’t a drinker until I tried 818. Tequila shots all day!!!”

The post KENDALL JENNER ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF 818 TEQUILA appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Details have been announced for the Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) virtual event, WOTVS CONNECT!

The event is scheduled to be held on March 8, International Women’s Day.

The worldwide-leading membership organization is dedicated to pushing the wine, beer, and spirits industry toward a diverse, equitable, and inclusive era. The Women of the Vine & Spirits chose to host a virtual event for 2021 as an opportunity to allow for more global participation.

WOTVS CONNECT! will be the organization’s first event that they can accommodate all of their Corporate Members; in the past, their annual events have sold out. With over 160 Corporate Member companies, the employees will be granted complimentary access to the event.

The event will have relevant content and powerful speakers, all from the wine, beer, and spirits industry. Rather than how it’s been conducted in the past, WOTVS CONNECT! will be a shorter, work-from-home conductive program.

The three-hour program will include Town Halls on Diversity, Equality, & Inclusion (DE&I) and Business Development & Innovation (BD&I). Also, there will be Roundtable Discussions with senior male leaders in the industry who will share their commitment to DE&I.

These two topics are important to WOTVS because of the impact of COVID-19 and racial injustice that has taken place in the U.S. and abroad in the industry.

“At Women of the Vine & Spirits, since 2015 our purpose has always been about both advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and business development,” said Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner. “Which is why we are focused exclusively on these two very important aspects of progress for our event; women cannot reach equality without economic growth and an equitable industry.”

Session Details and Confirmed Speakers

BD&I Town Hall:

• Rhonda Motil, VP of Marketing, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines (moderator)
• Regan Clarke, VP of Marketing, Pernod Ricard USA
• Nicole Jordan, SVP, Commercial Transformation & Digital Strategy, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
• Cathy Lewenberg, COO, Drizly
• Laura Petry, VP, Group Brand Director, Emerging Brands, Brown-Forman

Roundtable Discussion: Senior Male Leaders Share their Commitment to DE&I: 

• Steve Billey, General Manager, Bronco Wine Company
• Gus Bozzo, EVP, National Accounts, Breakthru Beverage Group
• Carl Carlson, President, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
• Dan Heller, EVP of Sales, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
• Marc Hirten, President, Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd.
• Barkley Stuart, EVP, Director, Government Affairs, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

DE&I Town Hall:  

• Ingrid Hobbs, PMP, US DE&I Lead, and Global D&I Liaison, William Grant & Sons (moderator)
• Lisa Catanzaro, SVP, HR Strategy & Talent, Breakthru Beverage Group
• Dr. Atira Charles, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Moët Hennessy USA
• Maribel Delgado, Sr. Associate, General Counsel, E. & J. Gallo Winery
• Erika Hopkins, Corporate VP, Culture & Corporate Social Responsibility, Republic National Distributing Company
• Victoria Russell, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Beam Suntory

WOTVS CONNECT! is open only to employees of Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members. For those interested in Corporate Membership opportunities, please email Elizabeth Campbell Boyd at Elizabeth@WomenOfTheVine.com.

The post WOMEN OF THE VINE & SPIRITS ANNOUCES VIRTUAL EVENT appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

If there were ever an award for drink to suffer the most from the 80’s, the Daiquiri would be in the running for grand prize.

Historically, the Daiquiri was developed in the late 1800’s in Cuba, but past that, most details get murky. Regardless of how it got its start, the Daiquiri has become a true Classic Cocktail.

A true Daiquiri has only three ingredients; rum, simple syrup, and lime juice. With such a limited ingredient list quality is key, fresh ripe limes and a perfect, house-made simple syrup can cut a lower-end rum, but this is a cocktail where quality truly shows. Likewise, the play between the simple syrup and rum is one that needs attention.

Rums can vary in sweetness, so each rum may need adjustments to the simple syrup levels with some needing a higher vs. lower sugar percentage. Finding balance is the key; too much sugar and the cocktail takes a turn to the 80’s, too much lime and lose the rum in acid. When perfect balance is achieved each ingredient works together to create a refreshing and relatively high-proof cocktail.

Traditionally, the Daiquiri is served without a garnish, but a lime circle or twist are a great way to add a bit of visual interest and enhance the experience.

Chilled’s Classic Daiquiri

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Light Rum
• 1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
• 3/4 oz. Simple Syrup

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, mix until cold and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

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One of the benefits of the classic Daiquiri is that it’s an easy drink to riff on, allowing for plenty of alterations. Adding seasonal fruit, flavored syrup, or mixing in a home-made shrub are all great ways to amp up your next Daiquiri!

Here are a few suggestions:

Up The Proof

Adam James Sarkis’ Million Dollar Daiquiri adds Sherry and Sparkling Rose for a deliciously pink option with a higher ABV.

Shake Up The Fruit

While lime is the most classic version, opting for different fruit makes for a fun variation. This is a great way to let seasonal produce shine, but its also a great use of mango, pineapple, and strawberry.

The post CLASSIC COCKTAILS: THE DAIQUIRI appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

The King of “Gin & Juice” finally has a spirit befitting his reputation!

After a highly successful limited launch last fall, INDOGGO is now available nationwide. True to the star, the gin is laidback with notes of seven botanicals and infused with all-natural strawberry flavor. The line was launched in partnership with Keenan Towns and Marc Weisberg, Co-Founders of Trusted Spirits, and in partnership with Prestige Beverage Group.

“The response and support from our partners and distributors has been incredible,” said Marc Weisberg. “To launch a new product is no small feat, and to have such significant consumer following and early acceptance, especially during a pandemic, is humbling and very much appreciated. We have received such great support from everyone involved to ensure our nationwide rollout is a success, and we are excited to bring INDOGGO® to consumers, across the country, who want to enjoy a little ‘Gin and Juice’.”

“I am so proud and humbled by the response INDOGGO® has received since its introduction,” said Snoop Dogg. “I knew that we had created a great tasting, smooth gin, but to see the response on social media, and get the stamp of approval from my friend Martha Stewart – I knew we had a winner!”

The gin itself is certified gluten free and distilled five times with seven botanicals including coriander, orange, and cassia. The gin skips the traditional heavy handed juniper to focus on the citrus and fruit notes, enhanced by an infusion with all natural strawberry. The result is a light refreshing gin that works well in a range of cocktails.

The Laid Back

• 2 oz. INDOGGO® Gin
• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice
• Top with Club Soda

Preparation: Add INDOGGO® Gin and pineapple juice into glass filled with ice. Stir, then top with club soda. Garnish with a Pineapple slice.

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Strawberry Basil Gimlet

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. INDOGGO® Gin
• 3/4 oz. Lime Juice
• 3/4 oz Honey Syrup (2 pt Honey:1pt water)
• Basil

Preparation: Combine all ingredients, shake and strain into a coupe glass. Top with soda water and garnish with strawberry or basil.

The post INDOGGO ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Similar to others, the origin of the Mojito is quite misty. 

A drink that people love to order and bartenders hate to make. The classic Mojito is a beautiful concoction of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. This combo leaves behind a sweet, citrus, and minty flavor that complements the white rum. It’s the perfect drink to sip on a hot summer day.

The Mojito originated in Havana, Cuba, although the exact birthplace is up for debate. One theory is that South American Indians went ashore in Cuba and came back with the ingredients. The components included aguardiente de caña, which meant burning water, a crude to rum, and local elements of lime, sugarcane juice, and mint.

Another theory that many believe is that Sir Francis Drake, one of the privateers sponsored by England’s Queen Elizabeth I, had involvement in 1586. Drake had landed off the Cuban shore with a cargo of Spanish treasure. King Philip II of Spain had warned his governor of Drake’s arrival and his intent to steal the Aztec gold. While they were prepared, they were widely amazed when Drake sailed away from the riches port after only firing a few shots. Everything was left intact, but Drake’s visit was a major event, perhaps something worthy of naming a drink after.

Despite where the drink came from, the cocktail was certainly consumed during the worst cholera epidemics to hit Havana. People were known to consume a Mojito a day, made with the local cane spirit, to prevent getting sick.

Regardless of the believed origin, the Mojito is insanely popular. Not to mention the hundreds of different variations of the cocktail.

Check out our classic recipe for a Mojito.

Mojito 

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. White Rum
• 3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 1/2 tsp. Sugar (can be a simple syrup mixture)
• 4 Leafy Mint Sprigs
• Club Soda
• Lime for Garnish

Preparation: In a tall cocktail glass, add the sugar and a few mint sprigs. (Save some for garnish) Muddle the mint and sugar until the mint is fragrant. Pour the rum and lime juice in and gently stir to dissolve the sugar. Fill the glass with ice and top off with club soda for a little bit of fizz. Gently stir to bring some mint to the top and garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint that has been clapped between your palms. (This releases the oil of the mint).

The post DRINK IN HISTORY: THE MOJITO appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News