As the New Year quickly approaches, it’s the perfect time to consider some of the prime ways to truly immerse oneself in the holiday spirit.
Whether you need a last-minute gift for a host who is hard to buy for, or simply desire to savor a couple of beverages, here are some enjoyable and tasteful approaches to spreading some holiday cheer this period.
If you seek the ideal winter warmup, Zacapa Rum’s reserve collection should be at the top of your list. Handcrafted, made, and distilled in Guatemala, the label presents an exclusive choice that caters to both light and dark spirits enthusiasts. Their exceptional Zacapa XO delivers the precise equilibrium of intricate scents and tastes originating from a fusion of their exclusive reserve rums. Each individually chosen rum is matured between 10 to 25 years and subsequently blended in barrels that previously housed whiskeys, sherries, and wines before being refined in French oak casks that previously aged cognac.
For aficionados of bourbon, Brother’s Bond has unveiled a fresh limited edition of their primary cask expression.
The brand, co-founded by acquaintances Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, recently debuted the well-balanced Brother’s Bond Original Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Presenting an ideal fusion of sweet and spicy, the bourbon encompasses scents of caramel, vanilla, ripe banana, and tastes of warmed rye bread and honey with a touch of leather and subtle smoke.
For a revitalizing approach to honor the season, make sure to experience Brendel Young Leon Frizzante Rosé.
Leon Brendel commenced crafting rosé over 70 years ago when it was not as widely appreciated as it is today. Manufactured from 100 percent organic grapes, this lightly carbonated wine melds the succulent flavors of strawberry with the liveliness of orange zest and pomegranate for a delightful flavor.
For those with an appreciation for spirits seeking a delightful variation, Alma Finca Orange Liqueur might just be the perfect choice. Touting to be the “single upscale orange liqueur made with all fresh ingredients from Mexico,” this delectable liqueur offers a new and delightful flavor to holiday cocktails.
Below is a straightforward recipe for an Alma Finca Mexican Margarita:
Ingredients:
¾ parts Alma Finca
1 ½ parts Premium Tequila
¾ parts Lime Juice
¼ parts Agave Syrup
Salt Rim (optional)
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and serve over ice in a lowball glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and relish!
For enthusiasts of white wine, in case you find it challenging to decide on which varietal to present this year, Biltmore Winery provides a Reserve Collection fabricated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.
The winery produces seven North Carolina wines alongside numerous others sourced from grapes cultivated on the western coast. Notable selections from the 2022 NC Grower of Excellence’s Reserve Chardonnay collection include 2021 North Carolina Heritage Vines, 2021 North Carolina Barrel Select, and 2021 North Carolina.
To ring in the New Year with some effervescence, ensure you savor the Blanc de Blancs North Carolina 2019.
This holiday season, Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila collaborated with Art of Sucre for an exclusive edition and merry Gold Espresso Glitter Bomb.
Fashioned with hand-spun puffs of cotton candy containing edible glitter, this entertaining treat specifically designed for the aspiring mixologist at home, harmonizes flawlessly with an 818 Tequila Espresso Martini.
Simply incorporate it into the martini and stir to astonish guests with a glistening gold cocktail.
For devotees of rum, Equiano Rum has ingeniously transformed a classic hot chocolate into an amped-up cocktail. Below is an overview of the Equiano Spiked Chocolate recipe tailored for two that can be crafted at home:
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups 2% milk
3 tablespoons soft muscovado sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch cinnamon
¼ cup (1 ½ ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips
2 ounces (¼ cup) Equiano Original Rum
Whipped Cream (Optional)
Directions:
Place a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and ¼ cup of the milk, whisk until the cocoa is mostly liquefied. Whisk in the remaining milk until smooth. Incorporate the remaining ingredients and heat over medium heat until the chocolate dissolves, approximately 2 minutes. Avoid boiling.
Stir in the Equiano Rum. Serve right away, garnished with whipped cream.
For fledgling home mixologists, the team at Via Carota has eliminated all the guesswork from perfecting a cocktail. Their pre-mixed cocktails are already expertly concocted and bottled. All you need to do is pour it over ice.
Their assortment comprises Classic Negroni, Old Fashioned, Signature Manhattan, and Espresso Martini.
This holiday season, they presented Negroni, Bourbon, and Martini sets that swiftly sold out.
With dry January approaching, now is the time to contemplate the finest method to celebrate. New Brew’s Euphoric Seltzer might just be the ideal way to ease into the alcohol-free month.
The seltzer incorporates kava root, kratom leaf, and caffeine for a “mood-enhancing effect.” This non-alcoholic beverage is also designed to boost energy and alleviate anxiety.
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