DrinkedIn Trends

Leading American single malt producer Stranahan’s has announced several changes to its Stranahan’s Original whiskey, as the Colorado craft distillery celebrates 15 years.

This includes new packaging, and a blend of older liquids: four-year, five-year, six-year and seven-year old American single malts. The four-year provides Original’s signature malt-forward character, while the older barrels add spice and oak complexity to the final whiskey, the company says.

Since its first release 15 years ago, Stranahan’s has remained a pioneer in American single malts and Colorado distilling, including its annual Snowflake release, the recent Mountain Angel 10 Year Old (the distillery’s oldest release to date) and core expressions like Sherry Cask and Blue Peak. The refresh of Stranahan’s Original in the core lineup is meant to honor this 15 year commitment.

Stranahan’s Original is bottled at 47% ABV. It is available for purchase nationwide at a suggested retail price of $55 per 750-ml. bottle.

The post Stranahan’s Original Single Malt Receives Rebranding, New Recipe first appeared on Cheers.

Sombra Mezcal has launched Sombra Reposé — a reposado aged in Bordeaux wine barrels.

Sourced from Château Léoville Poyferré, a second-growth wine estate in St Julien, France, the barrels are filled with Sombra’s Espadin mezcal and aged for up to six months. The Limousin oak softens the mezcal while enhancing the spirit’s botanical balance, the company reports, bringing through a light rosé color.

“We are very excited for our latest expression, Sombra Reposé, which uses our award-winning mezcal made from Espadin agave,” says Martha Cardoso, Sombra’s GM and director of the Sombra Adobe Brick Project. “It is fair trade and responsibly sourced, and aged in French barrels that formerly held prestigious wine. This process produces a refined spirit with a beautiful rose-colored hue, hence the name Reposé (French for rested, similar to the Spanish reposado).”

Sombra has a commitment to sustainability, including for The Adobe Brick Project, a community-focused program that upcycles distillation waste to create adobe bricks used to build houses for those in need, the company says. Also, the company donates at least 1% of sales to certified environmental charities and local educational initiatives in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Sombra Reposé Reposado Mezcal is 45% ABV. It has a fruity nose with a hint of smoke, vanilla, orange peel and blackberries, the company reports. It is smooth and warming to the palate, with a fruit-driven finish.

Did you know that Dallas was the official home of the frozen Margarita? According to VisitDallas, the city’s official destination marketing organization, Dallas restaurateur Mariano Martinez invented the frozen Margarita machine in 1971. The original machine now sits in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History next to Julia Child’s kitchen.

What inspired Mariano to invent one of the city’s most innovative contributions to American culture, and an easy way to render a frosty version of the popular cocktail? He says that he “just wanted to keep the doors of my restaurant open and my patrons and employees happy,” VisitDallas reports.

Mariano’s invention in turn inspired VisitDallas to launch the Margarita Mile experience and app in 2018. The Margarita Mile is a self-guided tour through Dallas’ distinct neighborhoods to sample its best and brightest Margaritas. As participants visit restaurants and check in on the app along the way, they earn points towards prizes.

The post Dallas Celebrates 50 Years of Frozen Margaritas first appeared on Cheers.

On May 7—National Beer Day—Molson Coors has unveiled its first USDA-certified organic beer, Coors Pure. The new brew is available nationwide.

Tapping into the “healthier for you” beverage trend, Coors Pure is 92 calories with zero sugar. It’s a USDA-certified organic light lager, with a subtle malt sweetness along with low bitterness and slight citrus hop notes, the brewery reports.

“Coors Pure is the answer for beer drinkers who are looking for an organic, low-calorie option without sacrificing the refreshment they know and love from Coors,” says Marcelo Pascoa, VP of marketing at Molson Coors. “As we approach summer, more exercise enthusiasts are making their ways to parks and streets across the country, and we’re excited to introduce a beer that is the perfect refreshment for those who also try to live a healthier life.”

In support of this launch, Coors Pure has hosted a beer run, with the chance to receive a free 12-pack of the new product. The company has set loose professional runners, wearing QR codes, in some of New York City’s most popular running destinations — including Central Park. Get close enough to capture the code and you can win free beer.

Also, from April 7 to 14, consumers can track their beer-can shaped run on their running app, submit a screenshot of the run map on email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and receive a Coors Pure on the brewery.       

Bulrush restaurant in St. Louis uses foraged ingredients and zero-waste practices to tell the stories of the Ozark region’s melting pot of people during the 19th century. In addition to the hyper-seasonal tasting menu and craft bar experience, Bulrush, which opened in 2019, prides itself on its selection of no-alcohol cocktails that also include foraged ingredients.

Chef/owner and expert forager Rob Connoley knew that he wanted a spirit-free program as extensive and challenging as the regular cocktail list for two reasons.

The Not Tea by Nature spirit-free cocktail.

“First, I want every customer to have the same experience, meaning, regardless of if you’re drinking alcohol, each guest should have the same rhythm of food and drink flow, the same service interactions, and at the end of the meal feel like they had the same experience,” he says. “No one should feel like they’ve missed out by not enjoying alcoholic drinks.”

The second reason is simple: money. “When guests come to Bulrush, they’re coming for a special meal,” Connoley says. “It would be ridiculous of me to not offer an opportunity for every guest to enjoy the experience in a way that suits them, and in return, I am able to charge a price for the product.” The mocktails at Bulrush are priced at $11; cocktails are $16.

To preserve the authenticity of this nearly forgotten cuisine, Bullrush uses only ingredients that can be justified through historical research and knowledge of the time period. For example, there are no lemons behind the bar, because the fruit did not become available to the area until later in the 1900s. Instead, Bulrush uses of a variety of vinegars, kombucha and kefir—all made in-house—as substitutes for sour components. 

E. & J. Gallo Winery has announced that its Spirits Division has signed an agreement to acquire Agave Loco LLC, owner of RumChata, a leading cream liqueur brand.

Inspired by the traditional milky rice drink from Mexico, founder and master blender Tom Maas began experimenting in his kitchen to create his version of a rum-based horchata. Using fresh dairy cream, rum and a proprietary sweet spice blend, RumChata was born in 2009.

Since its introduction, RumChata has steadily grown within the cream liqueur category in both retail and on-premise.

“First of all, I want to thank the distributors and retailers, as well as our employees, who supported RumChata since its inception. Your backing of the brand meant the world to us and will not be forgotten,” Maas says. “As a small independent producer, we never imagined the success of RumChata when we were just getting started back in 2009. We have taken the growth of the brand as far as possible as a small supplier, and it was the right time to find a new brand steward. I know the RumChata brand will thrive under Gallo’s guidance, and I am excited to watch the brand continue to grow and evolve in the future.”

In 2016, RumChata introduced MiniChatas, 25-ml. cups for consumers wanting to add RumChata to their coffee. A year later in 2017, RumChata Cold Brew (formerly FrappaChata) came out.

Tapping into the booming premiumization trend for tequila and mezcal, Clase Azul has announced the launch of Clase Azul Mezcal Guerrero.

This new expression is made from 100% Agave Papalote, also known as Agave cupreata, and specific to the Guerrero region. The plant grows wild in the mountain range of Guerrero, which is on the coast and has a tropical climate. 

Agaves cook over the course of three-fo-four days in a pit oven using volcanic rock and firewood from the Guamuchil tree, the company says: an endemic species to Mexico and South America. Distillation occurs using firewood and a copper alembic still.

The result is a palate and aroma that go from grapefruit skin and fresh wood to rosemary and peanut oil, with hints of butter and daisy flowers, the company reports.

The decanter’s green color represents jade, a precious stone of value to Mexico’s ancestral cultures. The design was inspired by the Guerrero woman­, the company says, “her tender nature, strength, leadership, and warrior spirit.” Finally, the four-petal flowers that cover the decanter represent the Fifth Sun, a pre-Hispanic god representing the origin of the universe.

1 oz. Real McCoy 3yr old rum
¾ oz. St. George Absinthe (or another lower-alcohol absinthe)
½ oz. Allspice Dram
2 dashes Orange bitters
¼ oz. Hibiscus syrup
Soda water
Hibiscus syrup and sugar (for rim)

Line the rim of a Collins glass by dipping it into hibiscus syrup, then sugar. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into glass. Top with ice and soda water.

Mikayla Canslo, beverage director of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic, CT, created this recipe.

The post Bohemian Remedy first appeared on Cheers.

As winter gives way to spring, Lawson’s Finest Liquids has announced the return of Knockout Blonde ale.

This is the first of six specialty beers making a seasonal appearance across the brewery’s full distribution network this year. 

Brewed with a blend of North American malts and with Cascade and Centennial hops, this straw-colored blonde ale is now available at retailers throughout Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

“Blonde ales have been getting more and more popular in the past year, and Knockout Blonde is one that we’re always excited to share with the masses,” says Sean Lawson, founder and CEO of Lawson’s Finest Liquids. “It’s light and drinkable but still has its fair share of hop character — and I think it’s the perfect match for these spring temperatures. This beer was inspired by my beautiful wife and business partner, Karen, whose likeness appears on the can artwork in a convertible, with her hair blowing in the wind.”

Knockout Blonde, 5% ABV, has a punch of hop aroma and notes of lemon and lime citrus, the company reports.

Heaven Hill Distillery today announced the release of the spring 2021 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The spring 2021 edition is the first 8-year-old of the nationally released series, and includes bourbon pulled from three different rickhouses, on different floors, and two different production dates. The whiskey is comprised of barrels produced in spring of 2013, and bottled in spring of 2021. It’s the seventh release in this limited-edition series.

Consistent across all spring releases, this 2021 edition has a green label.

The bottle’s tax strip — a signature of transparency on all bottled-in-bond products — discloses when the liquid was produced and bottled. Also following BiB rules, this whiskey is the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years and was bottled at 100 proof, or 50% ABV.

The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond spring 2021 edition has a suggested retail price of $85 per 750-ml. bottle. It is available nationwide on an allocated basis.

The Napa Valley-based wine company Chandon has debuted a refreshed brand identity.

This is the first time the brand has changed looks since inception 60 years ago.

The new core label design reinforces the brand’s quality and consistent craftsmanship, the company says: paying tribute to the brand’s winery community with its seven point “star,” representative of Chandon’s six globally wineries — across Argentina, Brazil, California, Australia, China and India. “The mark celebrates the brand’s premium position as the world’s largest sparkling wine estate,” the company says.

The rebranding is also meant to attract new shoppers with an eye-catching vertical design. 

Inside the bottles, the wine has not changed.

The post Chandon Wine Introduces New Packaging first appeared on Cheers.

90+ Cellars Lot 197 Prosecco Rosé has launched in time for spring.

90+ Cellars, among the fastest-growing wine brands in America, is in the first wave of U.S. companies to release a wine in this newly created category.

Italy’s Prosecco DOC Consortium approved the new Prosecco Rosé DOC mid-last year, allowing a small percentage of pinot noir to be added to Prosecco’s traditional composition of 100% glera grape, and paving the way for the Italian bubbly to go pink. 

The 90+ Cellars Extra Dry Prosecco Rosé blend of glera and pinot noir brings forward notes of red currants, apple blossom and rose, the company reports, followed by citrus and strawberries on the palate. A secondary fermentation in steel tanks develops bubbles that shape this wine’s effervescence.

“When the Prosecco DOC guidelines changed, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on the first-ever vintage of prosecco rosé,” says Brett Vankoski, wine director, 90+ Cellars. “This exciting bubbly is one of the most affordable Prosecco Rosés available right now, and is expertly crafted by the same team that makes Lot 50 Prosecco (our #1 wine), so we’re confident this will be love at first sip.” 

Stellum Spirits is a new national brand from the independent blender and bottler Barrell Craft Spirits.

Stellum Spirits launches with flagship offerings that include bourbon (blue label), rye (green label) and single barrels — all bottled at cask strength. The brand is designed to be clean, straightforward and polished, the company says: This is whiskey factored down to its most defining essentials, blended and packaged with an eye towards clean lines and definition.

“We wanted to create a brand that brings American Whiskey into the modern age with simple elegant blends, and single barrels selected with care and intention,” says Barrell Founder Joe Beatrice. “Our whiskeys are created through a rigorous process of study, observation and experimentation. We are driven by progress, polish and — above all — attention to detail. We will always think critically about how to make our whiskey better.”

At Barrell, Beatrice chooses and creates spirits alongside Chief Whiskey Scientist Tripp Stimson, Chief Product Innovation Officer Will Schragis and Assistant Blender Nic Christiansen.

Stellum Bourbon is bottled at 114.98 proof (57.49% ABV) while Stellum Rye is bottled at 116.24 proof (58.12% ABV). Both are available for a suggested retail price of $54.99 per 750-ml. bottle, at retailers in 45 U.S. markets, and online via the Stellum website.

Jägermeister has unveiled Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee Mini Meisters.

The company launched Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee in 2019. Now it’s available in a single-serve, shot-size, 20-ml. bottle, sold in a “10 Shots-to-Go” pack.

The packaging and glass bottle allows the Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee to quickly chill to its optimal -18°C, the company says.

“It has been amazing to see the excitement and award recognition following the launch of Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee,” says Chris Peddy, CMO of Mast-Jägermeister U.S. “Now we’ve just made it easier for consumers to bring the beloved liquid on-the-go. After a long, unprecedented year, we’re thrilled to launch Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee Mini Meisters to help seize every moment and bring people together to celebrate.”

Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee is a combination of original Jägermeister and natural cold brew coffee from Arabica coffee beans and cacao.

Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky has announced the launch of Rampur Asava.

For this expression, Rampur blended a combination of used bourbon barrels and Indian Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.

The result is a nose heavy with golden apricot, plums and spice, the company reports, followed by a palate beginning with a honeyed sweetness before a pleasant dryness imparted by the Indian Cabernet Sauvignon.

The suggested retail price is $89.99 per 750-ml. bottle.

This follows the release of Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky.

Spring is here, finally, and that means plenty of fresh, pretty cocktails with vibrant colors and flowery garnishes. We’ve gathered a few here that would go well with an Easter meal, weekend brunch or pretty much any springtime occasion.

Butterfly
(shown atop)
2 oz. Smirnoff vodka
1 oz. Lemon juice
¼ oz. Blue Curaçao
½ oz. Egg white

Add all the ingredients into a Boston shaker. Shake for 10 seconds without ice (dry shake). Shake again with ice. Pour in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprig of dried lavender.

The mixologists at the Tiepolo Bar in the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria hotel, created this recipe.

Passion Fruit Slushy  
2 oz. E11EVEN vodka
1 oz. Chinola passion fruit liqueur
1 oz. Lemon and hibiscus simple syrup
1 cup of ice 

Complementary products — nonalcoholic items like mixers, glassware and cannabis drinks — do not comprise a large portion of a beverage alcohol store’s SKUs. Yet they remain a reliable source of revenue.

Category trends this year naturally reflect current consumer tastes. These were affected greatly by the Covid-19 pandemic. So what should you expect in 2021? Look for more cocktail-making at home, as people became comfortable with mixology during last year’s lockdowns.

“It has given a huge boost to the category across the board,” says Alex Abbot Boyd, founder of the premium mixer brand Cocktail Crate. “The mixer category as a whole has grown about 30% over the last year.”

Cocktail Ingredients

The at-home mixology movement continues strong into 2021. Consumers now expect bar-quality cocktails in the comfort of their own homes.

“The mixer category as a whole has grown about 30% over the last year,” says Alex Abbot Boyd, founder of Cocktail Crate.

“When Cocktail Crate launched back in 2013, using premium, all-natural ingredients was a real differentiator for us,” says Boyd. “Now, after eight years of growth for natural mixers and decline for conventional mixers, I believe premium ingredients are just table stakes. Now it’s about how well and how creatively you use those premium ingredients to help people make great cocktails at home.”

¾ oz. Hiram Walker Sour Apple schnapps
¾ oz. Svedka vodka
¾ oz. Grenadine
¾ oz. Lemon juice
¾ oz. Simple syrup
Sprite/soda

Combine ingredients (except soda) and shake. Strain over fresh ice and top off with Sprite or soda. Garnish with lemon peel and apple slice.

The mixologists at Park on Fremont in Las Vegas created this recipe.

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The Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas has unveiled seasonal pop-up bar Crimson in Bloom. The garden-inspired indoor and outdoor terrace lounge offers hand-crafted cocktails, extravagant floral decor and an energetic atmosphere thanks to live DJ-spun music.

Guests can enjoy floral candy made by the pastry team at The Bake Shop at Red Rock, as well as inventive drinks with unique garnishes such as floral ice cubes, edible flowers and flavorful dustings. The cocktail menu is divided by sections called The Herb Garden, The Botanical Garden and The Produce Garden.

The Herb Garden cocktails include Lavender, priced at $19 and made with Absolut Elyx vodka, lavender, lemon, orgeat, Red Bull blueberry and topped with an edible flower lollipop ; Rosemary (shown atop, priced at $18), a mix of Patron Silver tequila, lemon, blueberry and rosemary; and Thyme ($17), which features Ketel Botanical Grapefruit and Rose vodka, Cointreau, grapefruit, yuzu, thyme and sea salt and is topped with a gold pastry dusted dehydrated grapefruit.

Tow of the Botanical Garden cocktails are Elderflower ($19), made with Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne, St. Germain liqueur, peach, lemon and is garnished with peach spun sugar cane; and Orange Blossom ($18), with Roku gin, coconut, lime, orange blossom, soda and is topped with fondant flowers and a mint sprig

And The Produce Garden beverages include Heirloom Tomato ($17), with Tito’s Handmade vodka, fresh tomato, basil simple syrup, balsamic glaze and smoked sea salt to create a vibrant red hue; and English Cucumber ($17), a blend of Belvedere vodka, cucumber, lemon and rhubarb sugar.

Paris-based Moët Hennessy has acquired a 50% stake in Armand de Brignac, the Champagne brand owned by entertainer Shawn Jay-Z Carter. The partnership includes in a global distribution agreement.

Often referred to as “Ace of Spades,” Armand de Brignac launched in 2006 and is known for its striking gold bottles. The brand has a strong presence in North America, Asia, and Europe, selling more than 500 000 bottles in 2019.

Carter had initially owned a 50% share in Armand de Brignac and bought the remaining stake in 2014. Luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, which owns Moët Hennessy, includes the Champagne brands Moët & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart and Hennessy Cognac.

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