Industry Trends

A Cocktail You Can Feel Good About

BY SPENCER FAERBER

King Spirits is both inspired and inspiring. The boutique distiller recently released Hope Town vodka and Walker’s Cay bourbon. Careful sourcing of grains from the United States ensures a consistent product, while the more exotic ingredients are shipped in from the Caribbean islands. The clarity of the vodka is crystal; the amber of the bourbon is reminiscent of aged American oak. Master marine artist and Jamaican native, Carey Chen, was sought out for the labels’ artwork to maintain the Caribbean theme.

Even though these bottles are crafted in small batches, they’re making a big impact with each. King Spirits currently partners with charitable organizations like Hope Town United, Green Turtle Cay Foundation and the Restore Hope Foundation to help rebuild Caribbean communities when natural disasters strike. Here’s one of my favorite recipes using the humanitarian distiller’s offerings:

The Carolina Mule

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ oz. of Hope Town Lime Vodka • 6 oz. of Ginger Beer • Mint • Lime Wedges

RECIPE

Find yourself a 100% copper cup for the most classic taste. Then bruise one to three mint leaves at the bottom of the glass. If you don’t have a tool to bruise them, gently roll them between your finger and thumb a few times until they effervesce that savory mint smell, then drop them into the cup. Add a heap of ice. Pour Hope Town Lime vodka and ginger beer, then garnish with a wedge or wheel of lime. Hope Town’s Lime vodka is subtle and tastes of freshly squeezed fruit, not harsh or artificial, which makes the lime wedge purely for appearance, or perhaps an extra tart kick. It’s sweet, bubbly, aromatic and refreshing any time of the year.

INDUSTRY TRENDS

Spencer Faerber is the spirits editor of cocktail.com.

Instantaneous Wine Aeration

The TRIbella wine aerator can create a rapid breathing experience from bottle to glass. Due to its patented, dripless, threestream design, the aerator allows wine to mix with the surrounding air as it pours. The result is instant aeration. The TRIbella is made of polycarbonate stainless steel, hand assembled and easy to clean. It includes a protective storage case.

Peach Cobbler in a Can

Austin Eastciders introduces its Spiced Peach crisp apple cider with a burst of ripe peaches and undertones of mulling spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, striking a balance between fresh fruit and warm spices. With an aroma of white peaches, cinnamon and orange peel, the new flavor bodes well for the holidays. Like all Austin Eastciders offerings, Spiced Peach is made with real fruit, contains no artificial sweeteners and is glutenfree. It’s available in 12-packs as part of the cidery’s Winter Variety Pack and on draft. Austin Eastciders produces craft ciders in Austin, Texas, using real ingredients and bittersweet apples. Founded in 2013, the company offers a robust collection including the Original Dry Cider, Blood Orange and Pineapple, plus a rotating line of limited-release ciders.