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Cocktails

Manhattan

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Inspired by a craft Manhattan, our aim was for a well-balanced and sophisticated cocktail. The end result is a multidimensional cocktail that is flavorful with tons of herb and spice undertones. Massage it to suit your taste–and of course, let us know what you think in the comments below!

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 dashes Fee brothers black walnut bitters
  • 1 1/2 oz Seedlip Spice 94
  • 1 teaspoon fresh brewed espresso
  • 1/4-1/2 oz pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 oz Luxardo maraschino cherry juice
  • 1/2 oz Lucini white balsamic vinegar
  • Cherry and orange peel, for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add all the ingredients except your garnish to the shaker. Shake well to mix. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass. Add a large ice cube to the glass. Express the orange peel over the drink to release its essential oils, then use it to garnish the drink. Serve immediately and enjoy.

This soft Manhattan has a complex, well-balanced flavor with a touch of sweetness from the cherry juice and syrup. The balsamic provides a tangy fruit flavor, and the Seedlip Spice works with the bitters to provide slightly bitter but aromatic citrus top notes.

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Margaritas

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The most basic version of a margarita consists of just three ingredients: tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Most soft margaritas end up being ridiculously sweet, so these recipes cut the sugar for more crisp freshness.

Version 1: Premium Original Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 – 1 teaspoon agave syrup (recipe below) (or pure maple syrup)
  • 5 drops pickle juice (optional, to taste)
  • 3-4 oz tonic water (or sparkling water)
  • Lime wedge for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

Cut a notch in a lime wedge and run the lime around the rim of you glass. Dip the edge into a plate of flaky kosher salt or Tajin. Fill the glass with ice. Add the lemon and lime juice and the syrup. Stir until combined. Add the tonic water. Stir gently. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve immediately.

The quinine in the tonic water adds a slightly bitter flavor and effervescence, the fresh fruit juice adds a citrusy crispness, and the optional pickle juice adds just a touch of salty spice that mimics the alcohol that we’ve removed.

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Version 2: Cranberry Blossom Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 – 1 ounce agave nectar (to taste)
  • 1 ounce cranberry juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
  • Salt for rimming the glass
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Add the lime juice, agave nectar, cranberry juice, and orange blossom water to the shaker. Shake the ingredients until well combined. Wet the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and dip it in salt to rim the glass. Fill the glass with ice. Strain the margarita into the glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lime wedge if desired.

This margarita has a sweet and tangy flavor, with a hint of floral notes from the orange blossom water. The cranberry juice provides a touch of tartness, while the agave nectar adds a touch of sweetness. The salt rim and mint leaves complete the experience, making it a delightful mocktail that’s perfect for any occasion.

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Version 3: Hibiscus Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce hibiscus flower syrup
  • 1 ounce grapefruit juice
  • 1 teaspoon elderflower syrup
  • Salt for rimming the glass
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

Fill your shaker with ice. Add the lime juice, hibiscus flower syrup, grapefruit juice, and elderflower syrup to the shaker. Shake the ingredients until well combined. Wet the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and dip it in salt to rim the glass. Fill your glass with ice. Strain the mocktail margarita from the shaker into the glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lime wedge if desired

This margarita recipe adds a touch of floral flavor from the hibiscus flower syrup and the elderflower syrup, while the grapefruit juice provides a slightly bitter and tart flavor. The mint leaves add a fresh and herbal note to the drink, making it even more refreshing.

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la Manzana Astuta

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Our goal here was to combine a variety of flavors and ingredients working together to create a drink both delicious and visually appealing. The combination of apple and pomegranate juices, Earl Grey tea, lemon juice, and honey syrup provides a balance of sweetness, tartness, and depth, while the spices add warmth and comfort. The sparkling water adds a touch of lightness and refreshment, making it the perfect drink for any occasion. We hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz freshly squeezed apple juice
  • 1 oz pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz sparkling water
  • 1 oz Earl Grey tea, cooled
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz honey syrup (recipe below)
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • Dash of ground nutmeg
  • Dash of ground clove
  • Apple slice or lemon wedge, for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the apple juice, pomegranate juice, sparkling water, Earl Grey tea, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Add dashes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Stir well. Taste and adjust the sweetness and spices as needed. Stir again, garnish with an apple slice or lemon wedge, and serve immediately.

The apple and pomegranate juices provide sweetness and tartness, while the Earl Grey tea and lemon juice add depth and complexity. The honey syrup balances out the flavors and the spices give it a warm and comforting taste. The sparkling water gives it a light and refreshing touch.

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Mai Tai

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A Mai Tai is a classic cocktail made with rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, and almond syrup. To create a non-alcoholic version, try this recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz Orgeat
  • 1/2 oz grenadine syrup
  • Splash soda (if desired)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, orgeat, and grenadine to the shaker. Shake well to mix. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice. Stir gently and serve.

In this non-alcoholic Mai Tai, the orange juice provides a citrusy flavor, the pineapple juice contributes a tropical sweetness, the lime juice provides tartness, the orgeat adds a floral nuttiness, and the grenadine provides a little sweetness and color. Add a splash of soda to lighten it up a bit, if desired.

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Long Island Iced Tea

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A Long Island Iced Tea is traditionally made with vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, and cola, with a splash of lemon juice. To create a lower-alcoholic version, try this recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1 oz cola (or club soda)
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Fill shaker with ice. Add all ingredients except the cola. Shake well to mix, then pour the mixture over the ice in your glass. Top with cola. Stir gently, add your garnish, and serve.

This soft Long Island Iced Tea has a similar flavor profile to the classic cocktail, but without all the alcohol. The lemon juice provides tartness, the simple syrup adds sweetness, the cranberry and pineapple juice contribute fruity notes, and the cola provides a bit of fizz and caffeine. Enjoy, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

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Lincoln’s Queen

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Perfect for those who want to enjoy the complexity of an alcohol-based cocktail without the alcohol, Lincoln’s Queen is both refreshing and balanced with the subtleties of fresh herbs and bitters.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz club soda
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 1 grapefruit slice for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Muddle 2 sprigs of rosemary in the bottom of a shaker. Add freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and orange bitters to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake for about 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice cubes. Top up the glass with a splash club soda and stir gently. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.

The combination of sweet and tart flavors from the grapefruit and simple syrup, balanced with the bitter notes from the orange bitters, creates a well-rounded and refreshing drink. The use of rosemary adds an herbal complexity that complements the other flavors. The carbonation from the club soda provides a lively mouthfeel, mimicking that of an alcohol-based cocktail.

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the Kisses of Gnomes

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For these shots, we were inspired by the traditional flavors of chai tea. We wanted to create a shot that was both somewhat familiar and exciting, with a well-balanced flavor profile that would appeal to a wide range of tastes. Finally, the different layers of flavor and texture in the shot make it both visually appealing and delicious to drink, making it a great choice for your celebrations.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. chai tea concentrate
  • 1 oz. pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz. vanilla syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz. almond milk
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Star anise

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of the chai tea concentrate and pomegranate juice, creating two separate layers. Carefully pour the vanilla syrup on top of the pomegranate juice, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Slowly pour the almond milk on top of the vanilla syrup, creating a swirl effect. Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon powder on top of each shot. Place a star anise on top of each shot for added color and aroma (for looks and scent–do not eat star anise whole).

This shot combines the warm and spicy flavor of chai tea with the tart and sweet flavor of pomegranate juice. The vanilla syrup adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess, while the almond milk provides a smooth and nutty flavor that balances the spiciness of the chai tea. The cinnamon powder adds a touch of warmth and depth to the shot, while the star anise adds a touch of flare and aroma that complements the other flavors.

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Just Call Me Ecstasy

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We envisioned a drink that would be warming and cozy, with a hint of exotic spices and a touch of sweetness. The combination of ginger and cardamom provides a complex and interesting flavor profile, while the vanilla adds a creamy, smooth and sweet taste to the drink. The final result is a mocktail that’s perfect for your special occasion.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz ginger syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz cardamom syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz vanilla syrup (recipe below)
  • 4 oz soda water
  • 2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • a dash of angostura bitters
  • ice
  • lemon wheel and edible flower, for garnish

Instructions:

In a mixing glass, add the ginger syrup, cardamom syrup, vanilla syrup, lemon juice, and nutmeg. Stir well to combine. Add soda water and a dash of angostura bitters, and stir gently to combine. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and an edible flower. Serve and enjoy!

This drink features the warm and spicy notes of ginger and cardamom, paired with the sweet and creamy vanilla. The lemon juice adds a bright and tart contrast, while the nutmeg and angostura bitters add depth and complexity. The soda water provides a light and refreshing quality, making it perfect for sipping on a warm day.

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