Highball: Winter 2017

Highball S P I R I T S

ARTISANAL M I C R O CO C K TA I L S A craftier way to enjoy quick drinks

Sessionable C O C K TA I L S Low alcohol, high flavor

Holiday Hosting Your party must-haves

M A G A Z I N E

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W I N T E R

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Highball is a quarterly publication of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Copyright

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Stock your holiday bar with a few of your favorite things

2018 ABC Liquors, Inc. All rights reserved.

Not all products are

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SESSIONABLE COCKTAILS

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ARTISANAL MICRO COCKTAILS

available in all stores. If the product you’re looking for isn’t available, ask us to order it for you!

Meghan Guarino

THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST

Low alcohol cocktails are perfect for longer holiday gatherings

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HOME BAR FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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INCHMURRIN SINGLE MALT SCOTCH

5 steps to deck out your bar cart this holiday season

Smooth and full of flavor, this single malt Scotch was finished in Madeira casks

3 recipes for crafty holiday shooters

Editor meghang@abcfws.com

Allie Smallwood Contributing Editor allies@abcfws.com

Jacob Bailes Photography jacobb@abcfws.com

ci n n a m on A d d a p in ch of u tm eg to a n d a d a sh of n m a k es fo r y ou r eg g n og . I t n ta ti on a p re tt ie r p re se of co lo r a n d a n ic e to u ch a n d sp ic e.

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Hostess with the Mostest A L L I E S M A L LW O O D

Planning and hosting a holiday party typically

PRO TIP: Mixology can be tricky, especially

equates to two things in the mind of the host:

if you don’t have the proper tools. Keep the

a drained wallet and/or a necessary vacation

essential utensils on hand (mixer, strainer,

after the event. You make all the lists, you

bottle opener, jigger, stirring spoon, muddler).

clean all the square feet, you brief all the family

When your goal is to be the hostess with the

members on the current affairs of the guests... and there’s still a chance for a glitch.

mostest, you want to be on trend! There are tried-and-true liquors that always make a great

To foolproof your hosting assignment, you

cocktail, but each year there are new trends. This

need a cocktail game plan that will appease

year, we’re seeing three:

even the trickiest of guests. Hosting a crowd or

BOURBON IS STILL BOOMING

a few close friends doesn’t change the fact that

Whiskey drinkers have been blessed in recent

you actually want to enjoy your guests! Which means one thing: you need to be prepared to pour a cocktail that makes your guests feel right at home. Think about what your guests like to drink. If they regularly drink gin, get a smooth gin, like Pickering’s Navy Strength. If they enjoy bourbon on the rocks, get a bourbon with aromatics and layers of complexity, like Maker’s Mark. Your guests will be impressed and delighted by your attention to their preferences.

For every palate at your party, there’s a bottle to satisfy. The following is a list of spirits for almost any cocktail you can dream up.

years with a wider breadth of flavor, body and styles coming from both classic and craft distilleries. We have bourbons for winter, bourbons for summer, bourbons for cocktails and bourbons for serving straight. There are bourbons for novices and bourbons for enthusiasts. Bourbons with bottles worthy of display and bourbons for adding to apple pie.

Have a few bottles to try and you’ll be a hit.

LOW PROOF ALCOHOL Sessionable cocktails, also known as shims, are hot right now. They are incredibly food friendly, leave you in an “I celebrated responsibly” state of

1941 Craft Vodka

mind and really take you on a flavor adventure.

Tanqueray Gin

See page 4-5 for the lowdown on these cocktails!

Ron Zacapa Rum 23 Year

THEMED BARS

Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila Maker’s Mark Bourbon

You’ve heard of nacho bars at weddings and Champagne bars at bridal showers, but what about themed cocktail bars at your holiday

Vermouth

gatherings? Be sure to include suggeested

Bitters

recipies and plenty garnishes. From something

Aperol Cointreau

simple like a classic Martini bar (including gin or vodka, dry vermouth, olives, a cocktail shaker and martini glasses) to a margarita buffet

St-Germain

(complete with silver and gold tequilas, frozen

Chambord

and liquid mix, salt and fruit garnishes), one

Add to the atmosphere and decorations

can create a theme based on any cocktail.

with the smaller, cocktail details as well.

Use seasonal garnishes, mix drinks with the proper tools and prepare foods that pair well with cocktails.

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Sessionable C O C K TA I L S A L L I E S M A L LWO O D

Mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts seem to stand in agreeance about a 2017 trend: The sessionable cocktail is on the rise.

Many cocktail pros assert that for a drink to be low-alcohol it needs to be made with lower-proof liquor (typically coming in under 20 percent ABV). Others boast the “rinse� method, where a small amount of full-proof spirit rinses the interior of the serving glass to impart another layer of flavor.

Lower alcohol brings the focus back to flavor. The flavor of the low proof spirits is important in these cocktails, so you’ll want to remember quality. Reach for brands like Campari, Aperol and Tribuni or Martini for vermouth.

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And when we’re talking layers of flavor, it’s important to consider all of the holiday treats and meals you’ll be enjoying. These cocktails are so food friendly that they actually can be enjoyed with each course (and guilt-free... remember the alcohol is low!). If you want more than one cocktail at a work function or in front of your in-laws, you can reach for another with zero shame or worry.

Try these four incredible recipies at your next holiday gathering.

AMERICANO WITH CINNAMON INFUSION

KIR ROYALE

This cocktail requires an infusion of cinnamon sticks in carbonated water beforehand, but it makes all the difference to this seasonally inspired Americano.

Easy is the second reason this session cocktail is so attractive... the luxury of Champagne and crème de cassis is the first.

1 ½ oz Campari 1 ½ oz Red Vermouth Seltzer or Club Soda infused with cinnamon sticks

1 tbsp Crème de Cassis 4 oz Brut Champagne, chilled

At least 8 hours before you make this cocktail, drop 5 cinnamon sticks into a bottle of club soda or seltzer.

To make the cocktail, add ice to a glass and pour in both Campari and vermouth. Top with infused water and garnish with cinnamon stick.

Pour the crème de cassis into a Champagne flute. Gently poor Champagne – you can pour down the side of the glass for less foam.

APEROL CIDER SPRITZ

WINTER PIMM’S CUP

Usually this cocktail requires Prosecco. The swap for cider instead means this cocktail is lower in alcohol but higher in festive flavor.

Cucumber and strawberry are typical, but we adore the addition of rosemary and cranberry for a little dusting of winter.

4 oz Cider 2 oz Aperol 1 oz Seltzer or Club Soda Apple Slices, garnish Pour the cider into an ice-filled glass. Float the Aperol and apple slice. Finish with a splash of club soda.

2 oz Pimm’s No. 1 3 oz Champagne, chilled 1 oz Cranberry Juice 1 tsp Ginger Shavings 3 Mint Leaves Orange Slice Mint, for garnish Rosemary, for garnish Cranberries, for garnish Softly muddle the ginger, mint and orange in a chilled highball glass.

Add ice and pour in Pimm’s, Champagne and cranberry juice.

Stir to mix. Garnish with rosemary, mint and cranberries.

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A R T I S A N A L M I C R O CO C K TA I L S M E G H A N G UA R I N O

I’m not saying shots are making a comeback, I’m

and fill each with Maker’s Mark. Cover each glass

saying they haven’t gone anywhere. And while

with a small wedge of orange. Place a sugar cube

we’ve graduated from the days of tasteless, 2-ounce

on top. Follow the tequila shot format to drink:

gulps, there is still a place at parties for a quick sip.

lick the sugar cube, drink the bourbon, finish with

Whether you’re celebrating a promotion or simply

the orange wedge. It’s classy, tasty and great when

raising a toast to everyone who showed up, a shot

toasting a guest of honor.

offers a taste of camaraderie without forcing a full pour on everyone at the party. Gone are the days

APPLE PIE MINI DESSERT

of binge-drinking. Now are the days of carefully

There’s no denying - cinnamon and apples make

crafted cocktails and custom shooters.

you feel like home with a touch of holiday flavor.

The trick for serving shooters at parties is to create shots that are balanced, flavorful and elegantly garnished. Devoid of any of these and you have a simple tray of 2-ounce bourbons—not the look you’re going for during the holiday season. Below are three recipes for mini cocktails that are perfect for a winter party toast.

MINI OLD FASHIONED This may be the easiest of them all to prepare and can be done on a whim. Line your shot glasses up

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This pudding shot does just that. In a mixing bowl, combine a box of sugar free vanilla pudding with ¾ cup cold milk, ½ cup Northern Peak Green Apple Vodka and ½ cup RumChata. Beat together, then fold in an 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip. Scoop into shot glasses and top with crushed cookies.

Freeze overnight to set.

Before serving, add a dollop of Cool Whip, a triangle of green apple and a dusting of cinnamon.

EGG NOG JELLO SHOT Hey, hey it’s the holidays. Whether you’re pro egg nog or staunchly against it, these quick sips are something we can all agree on. Egg nog Jello shots can be made using a silicone mold or prepped directly in your serving glass of choice.

Snag a bottle of Evan Williams Egg Nog at your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Pour 12 ounces into a saucepan and sprinkle with two packets of unflavored gelatin. Bring to a simmer, but do not boil. Let it cook until the gelatin is dissolved, then remove from heat and let it cool for about three minutes. Pour the mixture into individual shot glasses or a silicone mold and refrigerate for about eight hours.

When you’re ready to serve them, sprinkle each with a nice dusting of nutmeg. If you’re serving in shot glasses, add a little whipped cream to the top first. Cheers!

Home [ BAR] for the Holidays M E G H A N G UA R I N O

Every Winter, Floridians are made to prepare for family members who are traveling down from colder states. And while vacuuming and cleaning sheets are obvious pre-guest chores, sprucing up your home bar should be on the list as well. Now is the time to stock up on all the garnishes and mixers you and your guests will require this holiday season. Just like a freshly made bed, a well-stocked bar is a welcoming treat. Follow these five steps to deck your bar for the holidays.

Step 1: OUT WITH THE OLD

Step 3: THE GADGETS

Toss any bottles collecting dust. You

Mixology can be tricky, especially

obviously don’t use them enough to

if you don’t have the proper tools.

keep them around. Take inventory of

Keep the essential utensils close by

what you have and note which spirits

so you’re ready to measure, shake,

you use the most. You may want to

stir or muddle when necessary.

pick up a bigger bottle of those next

Mixer

Jigger

time you’re at ABC.

Strainer

Stirring spoon

Bottle opener

Muddler

Step 2: IN WITH THE NEW Splurge on the stuff you like. Don’t opt

Step 4: THE GLASSES

for the bottom shelf when it comes to

You’ll need a few glasses to properly

sipping straight or mixing classics.

serve cocktails, but you don’t have

Trust us, you and your holiday guests

to break the bank to get an array of

will be much more pleased with the

appropriate glassware. Many drinks

resulting cocktails.

are served in either lowball or highball

Here are the basics you’ll need to create

glasses, though having a supply of wine

just about any cocktail you can dream

glasses, Champagne flutes and snifters

up. Liqueurs are not must-haves, but

is a good idea if you frequently serve

they are nice when you want to liven

wine and high-end whiskey.

up an old recipe.

Vodka

Bitters

Gin

Aperol

Rum

Cointreau

Tequila

St-Germain

Bourbon

Chambord

Vermouth

Step 5: MAKE IT YOURS Stock up on your most-used mixers, especially simple syrup, soda water and flavored syrups. You’ll be reaching for them regularly, so keep a ready supply.

If your style is fringe and garnishes, add drink umbrellas, cocktail picks, party straws and drink markers to your bar cart. Liven up the décor with drink trays, a shiny ice bucket or even bottles of sparkling wine, and you’ll be all set to entertain for the rest of the holiday season.

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Highball

8989 South Orange Ave. Orlando, Florida 32824

S PI RIT TO S IP:

B O D Y :

C O LOR :

Dark gold O N

THE

NO S E:

FRESH CITRUS, MARZIPAN AND NUTMEG WITH A HINT OF RED WINE FROM THE MADEIRA CASKS O N

THE

PA L AT E:

Red fruit, raisins and honey with nutty toffee, walnut, fig and butterscotch accents

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Inchmurrin Single Malt Scotch Madeira Wood Finish

Smooth and velvety F I N I SH :

Long, dry and oaky P R O O F :

92°

TASTING TIP:

Sip straight