Published December 5, 2016
Gifts for Cocktail Lovers
It’s the holiday season and odds are you’ll be hosting (or attending) an event or two. These festive cocktail ingredients will transform an average cocktail into a show-stopper your guests won’t forget! They also make great gifts for your host/hostess or anyone who loves to create unique drinks.
Drinking vinegars or shrubs have made their way back into our cocktail conscience. Flavored vinegars have deep roots in colonial American mixology. Historically, vinegar was used as a preservative, poured over seasonally ripened fruits and left to infuse overnight. This mixture was used throughout the winter months and the acidity will compliment rich and heavy flavors. Check out local favorites by Pok-Pok Som drinking vinegars, Raft and Grumpy Dog Shrub.
Bitters. Forgot about crusty bottle of Angostura tucked away in the back of a cabinet. Bitters now-a-days add a depth of character and come in a variety of flavors- bitter, sour or bittersweet. A couple of dashes to your favorite cocktail can change the entire flavor profile, making it a fun and easy way to revamp classic cocktail recipes. These botanicals come in a vast array of flavors such as chocolate mole, cardamom or barrel-aged. Bitters can be a sophisticated addition to non-alcoholic beverages as well. Our current favorites: the cardamom and coriander-lime bitters from The Bitter Housewife.
Syrups and Mixes. If you don’t have time to squeeze fresh juices and mix your own syrups grab a bottle of all-natural syrups and mixers. We’ve come a long way from those awful premade mixers of the past. Producers are using of natural ingredients and rich botanicals to create syrups that as diverse as they are delicious. These mixes are an easy go-to for a great party cocktail or can be combined with non-alcoholic beverages to create something specials for the little ones. Check out local brands like Raft syrups or BG Reynolds premade mixes.
Check out our Mixology Gift Box, the perfect gift for that budding cocktail enthusiast in your life. This gift set includes locally made Raft syrups, Grumpy Dog Shrub Bloody Mary mix, Pok-Pok drinking vinegar, The Bitter Housewife bitters and a wooden muddler for mixing fabulous libations.
Cocktail recipe
Mason-Dixon
2 oz. of your favorite Bourbon
½ oz. of peach liqueur
½ oz. of BG Reynolds Cinnamon syrup
2 dashes of barrel aged bitters (We love using The Bitter Housewife Bull Run Barrel Aged Bitters)
¾ oz. of fresh squeezed lemon juice
Build in a shaker and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
Elephants Delicatessen has everything to turn cocktailing into a fun and festive experience. Check out our Mixology Gift Box- the perfect gift for that budding cocktail enthusiast in your life. Spend more time with friends and family this holiday season with these easy and festive cocktails recipes.
