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Category Archives: Cocktails

Off to the Races: The History of the Mint Julep

06 Friday May 2016

Posted by totalwineandmore in Cocktails, Spirits, Whiskey

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mint_julep_smallWith the Kentucky Derby being run this weekend, we thought it would be fitting to explore the history of the Mint Julep, the traditional drink so closely tied to the race.

Juleps are the ancestors of centuries-old drinks from the Middle East known as julabs, which were made with water and rose petals. Juleps at some point made their way to the U.S. where their heritage dates to the 1700’s when the drink was probably made with brandy or rum or other spirits that were readily available.

In the early 1800’s, Henry Clay, a popular Senator from Kentucky, helped change the face of the Mint Julep to the bourbon cocktail we know today: mint leaf, bourbon, water and sugar prepared and served in a highball glass with a straw. He took Kentucky Straight Sour Mash Whiskey with him to Washington, D.C., where he introduced friends and colleagues to his drink at the Round Robin Bar inside the Willard Hotel. The Mint Julep was a hit and grew in popularity from there.

Willard_Intercontinental_Hotel

Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington D.C.

Decades later in the late 1800’s, Marvin Stone was sipping a Mint Julep and was dissatisfied with the natural rye grass straws used at the time. Those straws fell apart, imparted additional unwanted grassy flavors and left a gritty residue in the drink. He experimented by wrapping a piece of paper around a pencil and gluing the ends together, an invention that caught on. After several improvements to the initial design, including making a more sturdy paraffin-coated manila version, his drinking straw was patented in 1888. The invention was so successful, he turned his cigarette paper holder company into Stone Straw Company by 1906. Bourbon and the Mint Julep survived Prohibition and in 1938, the drink was officially promoted by Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.

Brown-Forman’s Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail has been “The Official Mint Julep of the Kentucky Derby” for over 18 years. Brown-Forman also makes Woodford Reserve, “The Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.” Woodford Reserve has been used to make $1000 ultra-premium Mint Juleps served in silver cups since 2006, with proceeds this year benefiting the Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center charity. And the Mint Julep is as popular at the Derby as ever, selling tens of thousands each year. So whether you actually make it to the Kentucky Derby or are watching from the couch with a few friends, a mint julep is the way to go.

Here is a mint julep recipe with step by step instructions (start the night before). Let us know how it turns out!

Spring for seasonal cocktails

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by totalwineandmore in Cocktails, Rum, Tequila

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Gimlet, how-to, mixology, Recipe, Tequila-Berry Twist cocktail, Tropical Splash cocktail

Cocktail making

We’re shaking up great cocktails for spring, featuring some of our favorite spirits and ingredients. Light and refreshing drinks like these are the perfect way to toast the official start of a new season. And you can save now when you pick up the spirits you’ll need for spring at Total Wine & More.

Every town has its favorites when it comes to cocktails. However, when we think spring our minds can’t help but go to a Margarita. This season, we love a twist on that classic cocktail: the Tequila-Berry Twist.

 

Tequila-Berry Twist-coctail-only

Tequila-Berry Twist

3 oz. El Padrino Blanco tequila

2 oz. strawberry liqueur

Dash bitters

Dash freshly squeezed lime juice

Splash club soda

Lime slice, for garnish

Pour tequila and strawberry liqueur into tall glass with ice. Stir. Add bitters, lime juice and club soda. Stir and garnish with lime slice.

 

iStock_000000459062Medium-habanero

The gimlet dates back to the 18th century, but it accrued true cultural cachet when it appeared in Raymond Chandler’s famous crime novel “The Long Goodbye.” This easy recipe calls for fresh lime juice plus sweetener, instead of the more conventional bottled lime juice, because hey – it’s spring.

Gimlet

2 oz. Blysk Vodka

¾ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice

¾ oz. simple syrup

Lime wheel, for garnish

Add spirits, lime juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass, or strain over ice into an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

 

tropical splash cocktail

Rum is a versatile spirit that adds great flavor to a variety of cocktails. This brilliantly colored drink offers juicy flavor and a preview of hot, sunny days to come.

Tropical Splash Cocktail

1 oz. Kaniche XO Rum

2 oz. mango juice

2 oz. cranberry juice

Maraschino cherry and mango, for garnish

Add rum to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add juices and shake well. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with cherry and mango slice.

Find additional cocktail recipes at the Total Wine & More Cocktail Corner.

Is your bar ready for spring? Find everything you need at your local Total Wine & More.

Recipes from a galaxy far, far away: Part II

24 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Cocktails, Gin, Spirits, Tequila

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cherry sunrise, Episode VII, jello, tequila sunrise

IMG_6980

You may have heard that J.J. Abrams has a new movie out and we’ve been celebrating its arrival all week. We collaborated with mixologist Beautiful Booze to create cocktails that are out-of this world and today we’re sharing our final two.

If you missed our first set of cocktails, head over to Part I to get the recipes for Paradise on a Desert Planet and the Cantina Cooler.

IMG_6984

Rebel in Red

After vanquishing the galactic forces of darkness, it’s important to celebrate accordingly with your fellow rebels and favorite droids. Here’s a delightfully sweet take on the Tequila Sunrise:

1 ½ oz. of Senor Rio Tequila

4-6 oz. of orange juice depending on serving glass

½ oz. of cherry syrup

Cherries, for garnish

In a serving glass, add ice then orange juice and tequila. Stir cocktail and add cherry syrup.

Yield: 1 serving

IMG_7122

Shots for Smugglers

We’ve developed a recipe perfect for those who spend their days evading space gangsters and transporting off-the-books cargo to the outer reaches of space.

¾ cup Esme Gin

½ cup cranberry juice

1 cup tonic water

2 envelopes Knox Gelatin

Black sprinkles, for garnish

In a saucepan, add cranberry juice and tonic water. Turn heat on low and sprinkle in two envelopes of gelatin. Stir mixture until the gelatin dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in gin. Pour mixture into shot glasses. Put in refrigerator and let shot glasses chill overnight.

Yield: 10-15 jello shots (depending on size of shot glasses)

Recipes from a galaxy far, far away: Part I

19 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Beer, Cocktails, Rum, Spirits

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beer cocktail, Cocktails, creamsicle cocktail, Recipes, Rum, Vodka

It seems J.J. Abrams has caused a disturbance in the you know what. However, according to reviews and nearly universal fan approval, it’s all for the better. Like many of our customers, we’re heading out this weekend to watch the new movie and catch up with some of our favorite characters.

And we couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate such a momentous occasion than with cocktails that celebrate the entire series, even the ones that weren’t fan favorites.

We collaborated with mixologist and rebel leader Beautiful Booze to use the force and create an out-of-this-world set of inspired cocktails.

IMG_6090

Paradise on a Desert Planet

Thanks to its two suns, we can’t imagine what summers were like for Luke on his home planet. That’s why we whipped up the cool and refreshing Paradise on a Desert Planet.

To mix up this recipe, you will need:

1 1/2 oz. George Ocean Rum

1 oz. condensed milk

1 oz. lime juice

3 oz. orange juice

Orange slices and graham cracker rim, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, condensed milk, lime juice and orange juice. Shake mixture forcefully*. Rim glass with graham crackers. Pour mixture into serving glass and make sure to make one for Luke.

*This cocktail needs to be shaken very hard to mix up the condensed milk

Yield: 1 serving

IMG_6947

Cantina Cooler

Whether you’re flying solo or meeting friends to listen to a great house band, the Cantina Cooler is the perfect choice to start your adventure off right.

1 1/2 oz. Veil Vodka

1 oz. cranberry juice

1 oz. lime juice

½ oz. simple syrup

Top with a lager beer

Fresh cranberries, for garnish

In a metal shaker add vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake and strain mixture over crushed ice, then top with beer (we recommend a Helles Lager, but just about any lager will do).

Yield: 1 serving

If you enjoyed getting a taste of the galaxy, make sure to check back coming up for more recipes.

Here’s to a very happy Friendsgiving

13 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Cider, Cocktails, Gin, Thanksgiving, Whiskey

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Friendsgiving, Punch, Recipes

View from above friends toasting wine glasses

The good news: Thanksgiving now comes twice a year. The bad news: Your favorite pants only have so much elasticity. Although the main event may still be 12 days away, this Thursday you can mark a new tradition—Friendsgiving. This faux holiday is an occasion for close friends to get together and mark the start of the holiday season before departing for their respective family homes. Like Thanksgiving, it involves two of Total Wine & More’s very favorite things—food and drink. To get you into the Friendsgiving sprit, we share some go-to punch recipes that are perfect for parties of all sizes.

It doesn’t get more seasonal than cider. Thanks to its sweet and refreshing apple flavor, cider is a nice complement to just about anything your friends cook up. Chilled Cider Punch, courtesy of Saveur, is a great idea for pre-dinner drinks and like the very best recipes, it’s easy to make.

Chilled-cider

Photo credit: Saveur Magazine

Chilled Cider Punch (Serves 15-20)

  • 8 cups apple cider
  • 1 750-ml bottle dry hard cider
  • 3 12-oz. bottles ginger beer
  • 1½ cups Irish whiskey
  • Juice of one lemon
  • Several dashes orange bitters
  • Sliced oranges, for garnish
  • Cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Combine the ciders, ginger beer, whiskey, lemon juice and bitters in a punch bowl. Stir. Top with orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Serve over ice and enjoy!

Gin may be a polarizing spirit, but could you think of a better time to enjoy a spirit that’s known for its “piney” profile than the start of the holiday season? Food & Wine’s Mother’s Ruin, which is aptly titled given the obstacles matriarchs face this month – from cooking a 20-pound turkey to keeping the familial peace – will convert even gin’s biggest critics.

200801-r-xl-mothers-ruin-punch

Photo credit: Food and Wine

Mother’s Ruin Punch (Serves 8)

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup chilled club soda
  • 1½ cups gin
  • 1½ cups fresh grapefruit juice
  • ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ cup sweet vermouth
  • 2¼  cups chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
  • 3 sliced grapefruit wheels, for garnish

Add sugar and club soda to a large pitcher and stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in gin, grapefruit and lemon juices and sweet vermouth and refrigerate until chilled, approximately 1 hour.

Pour punch into a large bowl. Slowly stir in Champagne and add grapefruit wheels on top of the punch. Toast to your mother’s formidable spirit and enjoy.

When it comes to food and drink, there are few as passionate as author, TV host and foodie extraordinaire Alton Brown. That’s why we follow his lead when it comes to whipping up one of our favorite winter drinks, the beloved Hot Toddy.

Hot Toddy (Serves 13)

  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • ½ cup natural brown sugar
  • 4 cups water
  • 2½ cups Scotch whisky
  • Nutmeg, freshly grated

Combine the lemon, sugar and water in a 2- to 3-quart slow cooker set on high. Cover and heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely, for 20 to 30 minutes.

Stir in the Scotch. Set the slow cooker to low, serve with lemon slice and nutmeg and return for seconds.

While we may be fresh out of nutmeg, Total Wine & More has all the spirits and mixers you need to help make these recipes a reality – and make you a Friendsgiving legend. Stop by our stores to stock up for our favorite new holiday or shop online.

Trick-or-Treat at Total Wine & More

25 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Beer, Cocktails, Spirits, Wine

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Adult Halloween, candy, drinks, sweet

Halloween may still be a week and a half away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a head start on trick-or-treating. We’ve selected some of our favorite beers and wines that will satisfy all types of candy cravings. After all, there’s nothing more terrifying than an empty bar.

1. Lindemans Framboise

lambic framboise

The hopivores at DRAFT Magazine gave this Lambic a 91-point rating, so it comes with credentials, which also include a gold medal at the 2013 U.S. Open Beer Championship. With a refreshing raspberry flavor and perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, this Lambic is truly candy for beer lovers.

2. Young’s Double Chocolate Stout

chocolatestout

Young’s award-winning Double Chocolate Stout is for those whose Halloweens often end with piles of candy bar wrappers. A combination of chocolate malt and real dark chocolate means this beer lives up to its name. Upon opening, you’ll be met with aromas of dark chocolate, mocha, caramel and vanilla, which are followed by delicious flavors of roasted malt and chocolate.

3. Cherry Kijafa

kijafa

This Danish apéritif is rich and smooth, boasting a lovely tart cherry flavor that puts those trademark cherry lollipops to shame. If you’re looking to enjoy a pre-Halloween treat, add this cherry wine to club soda and serve over ice for a frightfully refreshing cocktail.

4. Red Decadence Chocolate Wine
cholcoatewiwne

As the name suggests, this wine is truly decadent with flavors of black cherry, blueberry, plum and, of course, dark chocolate. A flawlessly balanced sweet wine, we couldn’t think of better company when catching up on our favorite horror movies.

5. White Ghost Cocktail

Sometimes, there’s nowhere to rum. George Ocean Coconut Rum, one of our new favorite spirits, takes center stage in our White Ghost cocktail, which will satisfy even the most discerning poltergeists. With the inclusion of banana and orange liqueur, the drink’s flavors are reminiscent of the taffy candies we’ve come to know and love.

5 Cider Recipes That Are Guaranteed Keep You Warm This Fall

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Cocktails, Spirits

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Cocktails, fall, hot cider, Recipes, spirits

October is almost upon us – and so is the cold weather! Luckily, we’ve put together five cider recipes to keep you warm on those chilly fall days!

1. Hot Apple Cider with Rum – via FoodNetwork.com
cider

An oldie but a goodie! Don’t forget to garnish with a cinnamon stick, and we’ve got all the rum you need right here.

2. Hot Caramel Apple Cider – via CookingInCollege.comcookingincollege

These caramel apples are definitely only for those over 21!

3. Warm Vanilla and Bourbon Cider – via HowlAtTheMoon.comvanilla

Vanilla + Bourbon = True love.

4. Mulled Wine – via FoodNetwork.commulled

Okay fine, it’s not technically cider, but it has cider in it so it counts!

5. Maple-Bourbon Cider – via MarthaStewart.commaple

In case you like your cider a little harder (and with a bourbon-y kick)!

Drum Circle Distilling and Siesta Key Rum

20 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in & More, Cocktails, Rum, Spirits

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Florida, Rum, siesta key

Troy & still

Editor’s Note: Happy National Punch Day! To celebrate, we’d like to journey down to Florida, to explore the creation of everyone’s favorite punch ingredient – rum!

Sitting on Florida’s Siesta Key beach in 2007 sipping El Dorado 12 Year Old rum, Troy Roberts decided to take his love for the beverage to a new level. He ordered his still and prepared for the opening of the first rum microdistillery in Florida, Drum Circle Distilling. Six years later, each of his three core rums have won prestigious awards including Gold at the Miami Rum Renaissance. We asked Troy where he learned the art of rum-making and his background with the spirit beyond drinking enjoyment. “The manufacturer showed us how to operate the equipment, but we learned how to make great rum by visiting other distilleries, reading lots of materials, but mostly through experimentation. There were lots of bad batches early on, but through trial and error, we’ve created rums that we are very proud of. And we think they speak for themselves.”

Drum Circle, named after a local weekly beach event, currently makes three rums as part of their Siesta Key brand: Silver, Gold and Spiced. Troy told us that his goal was always to make the best quality rums possible. “We start by selecting the highest grade of molasses. We use all real spices, no liquid flavorings. And we use honey instead of corn syrup. We know this will result in the best flavored rums on the market.” Troy further noted that quality products cost more but that it’s totally worth it. And it’s hard to deny the distillery’s success: tripled sales in Florida over last year and distribution to 13 other states through Total Wine’s Spirits Direct program. “We’ve already ordered another fermentation tank and my business partner Tom Clarke and I work well over 40 hours per week. Our distillery operates a lot!”

In addition to quality ingredients, Troy noted some other important factors necessary when making the best rums available. He first pointed to their still, custom made and affectionately known by the manufacturer’s name CARL. “CARL uses a lot of copper, which interacts with and removes harsh molecules from the vapor during the distillation process. The copper needs to be clean to be effective during this process. We meticulously rejuvenate the copper by regularly cleaning it with a citric acid wash.” In addition, the yeasts, the recipes, and the skill of the distiller all come together in the final products.

DrumCircleDistillingDrum Circle has been very busy trying to stay ahead of the curve and making enough rum. In addition to the Rum Renaissance and nationwide program with Total Wine & More, Drum Circle got some additional notoriety this year when their Spiced Rum was featured in the Dole Whip, a specialty drink made at Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival this year. Other projects include perfecting a fourth rum. Troy said, “We are currently creating a Reserve version of our spiced rum, aging it in whiskey barrels. The aging process makes some spices more prominent while subduing others, so we tinkered with the final recipe. I originally made this rum for me, but I let others taste it and was finally convinced to make enough to sell. We are currently aging that now.” You could tell by the excitement in Troy’s voice that he loves this new rum.

Troy wrapped up our chat by saying, “This is a fun and challenging business. There is a lot of hard and physical work, but it’s a great feeling to create a quality product. I know we have something special here.”

10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do With Créme de Menthe

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Cocktails, Miscellaneous, Spirits

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Créme de Menthe

National Créme de Menthe Day was yesterday, and that got us thinking. We’ve all heard of putting this minty liquer in coffee – but why should we limit ourselves? So we found 10 other delightful uses for this delicious spirit:

  1. Créme de Menthe Brownies  – via AverieCooks.comcremedementhebars-17
    Basically, a giant Andes candy – but better, because it’s in brownie form!

2. Tequila Mockingbird – via AbsolutDrinks.com

tequila-mockingbird(85)
Because who says tequila has to be limited to margaritas?

3. Créme de Menthe Parfaits – via FoodNetwork.com

parfait
Definitely pretty enough to serve at a dinner party!

4. The Drunken Elf – via DrinksMixer.com

drunkenelf
It’s not Christmas yet – but after a long Saturday afternoon at a crowded holiday mall, you’ll be glad you saved this recipe.

5. Dirty Girl Scout Cookies – via Liquor.com
Capture
Perfect for Halloween – but they’re for grown-up trick-or-treaters only!

6. Continental Cocktail – via SheKnows.com
continental_cocktail
 Believe it or not, these cocktails don’t have to be green – use clear créme de menthe if you don’t care for the color.

7. Créme de Menthe Cheesecake – via BettyCrocker.com
cheesecake
What better complement to cool créme de menthe than creamy cheesecake?

8. Shamrock Cocktail – via Liquor.com
shamrockSt. Patrick’s Day isn’t the only time to enjoy this amazing cocktail!

9. Grasshopper Ice Cream Cocktail – via FoodNetwork.com
SH1006_Grasshopper_Ice_Cream_Cocktail.jpg.rend.sni18colOne adult milkshake, coming up!

10. Grasshopper Pie – via ThePioneerWoman.com
pieNothing goes better with créme de menthe than marshmallows and an Oreo crust!

5 Whiskey Sours You’ve Never Heard Of

24 Monday Aug 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Cocktails, Spirits, Whiskey

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Whiskey sour

Happy National Whiskey Sour Day! Here are five liquor-licious versions of the old favorite to help you celebrate. If variations aren’t your thing, you can always go old school and mix up one of our favorite versions – the original whiskey sour.

  1. The Baltimore Bang (via Saveur)
baltimore-bang-cocktail

Photo credit: Todd Coleman

If you prefer bourbon, this is your drink! Apricot brandy helps it pack that special “bang!”, but you can also go the route Saveur did and use cognac.

2. The New York Sour (via Liquor.com)

recipe-ny-sour

Photo credit: Jacques Bezuidenhout of Liquor.com

Here’s to you, red wine lovers! Don’t wrinkle your nose – the wine mixes surprisingly well with the whiskey. Bonus points if your wine floats beautifully on top!

3. The Rattlesnake (via Liquor.com)

rattlesnake

Photo credit: Karen Nielsen (AKA Ginhound) of Liquor.com

“It will either cure Rattlesnake bite, or kill Rattlesnakes, or make you see them.” Bring it on.

4. Whiskey Sour with Marmalade (via ThereWillBeBourbon.net)

whiskey-sour-marmelade-2

Photo credit: There Will Be Bourbon

Very similar to a Baltimore Bang – but with a marmalade twist!

5. The Ward Eight (via Imbibe Magazine)

ward-eight-2

Photo Credit: Imbibe Magazine

We absolutely love the martini glass! This recipe is great if you don’t have a lot of extra ingredients on hand (or if you’re out of sour mix).

 

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