Sonal C Holland, Master of Wine’s Post

Did You Know That Amaretto Isn’t Actually Made With Almonds? Despite being sweet, nutty, and very easy to drink, Amaretto can be quite polarizing. For some, the liqueur conjures up the memory of delicate Italian cookies, or a delightful after-dinner sip — for others, it evokes wicked hangovers from a few too many Amaretto Sours, or even plastic cups of the liqueur topped with cola. Regardless of your history with this liqueur, amaretto is delicious when enjoyed on its own and is also a great ingredient to use in cocktails. Read on for everything you need to know about amaretto. What is amaretto? Known for its pronounced almond flavor, amaretto is an Italian liqueur with a honeyed, nutty taste. It has a gorgeous copper hue and silky texture, much like an amaro. Amaretto can range in terms of its alcohol content, but like many liqueurs, it is often between 20-28% alcohol by volume, making it an easy sipper when served neat or on the rocks. Your Local Leaves, Bark, and Flowers Can Be Turned Into Amaro How is amaretto made? “I think the first area of amaretto opportunity is turning to the person on your left or right and asking them the question, ‘What is amaretto made from?’”says Beau du Bois, vice president of bar and spirits at Marisi and Puesto restaurants in California. “Most people will answer that it is made from almonds, but amaretto is originally made from apricot kernels,” he explains. If you crack open the hard pit of many stone fruits like apricots, nectarines or peaches, you’ll find a small almond-shaped kernel. While this kernel is not edible on its own given higher amounts of cyanide — this is the case for many fruit seeds including apple seeds — it contains compounds that taste of roasted almonds. And don’t worry about the cyanide, which is taken out during processing. Source Food&Wine #SpiritFinder #SpiritsIndustry #DrinkNews #CraftSpirits #SpiritWorld #BeverageUpdates #IndustryInsights #BoozeBuzz #DistilleryNews #CocktailCulture #SpiritsBiz #LiquorNews

5 Infused Ice Cocktail Pairings for Summer Upgrade your cocktail game with infused ice cubes that release delicious flavors. Here are five must-try pairings: 1. Vodka Tonic & Thyme + Grapefruit Juice Cubes - Fresh thyme and grapefruit elevate the classic vodka tonic. 2. The Birds and The Bees & Marigold Petal + Coconut Milk Cubes - Gin, chamomile, and lemon combined with marigold and coconut milk. 3. Mojito & Lime + Mint Cubes - Keep your mojito bright and fresh with lime and mint cubes. 4. Tequila Spritzer & Cranberry + Rosemary Cubes - Tequila, club soda, and lime enhanced with cranberry and rosemary. 5. Lemon Margarita & Blue Pea Flower Tea Cubes - A color-changing lemon margarita with blue pea flower tea ice cubes. #CocktailInspiration #SummerDrinks #InfusedIce #MixologyMagic #DrinkUp

How to make the perfect mulled wine for Christmas 🎄 Put a delightful twist to your Christmas by making some delectable mulled wine in 3 easy steps: 1️⃣ Choose a wine that is young and fresh, preferably ripe and fruit-forward, like Malbec, Tempranillo or California Zinfandel. 2️⃣ Add spices like cinnamon, cloves and orange zest to give it that refreshing and comforting aroma. 3️⃣ Simmer on a low flame so that all the flavours can meld. Here are a few extra tips: Don't choose overly oaked or tannic wines as they will spoil the taste of your mulled wine. Use wines that have relatively higher levels of alcohol as some of it will evaporate on heating. A good glass of mulled calls for a great snack pairing, like a pack of delightful Mix Berries from Nutty Gritties that are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, or savoury and crunchy delights like Smoked Cocktail Mixed Nuts or Himalayan Pink Salt Mixed Nuts that complement the flavours of mulled wine. You can also check out Nutty Gritties' Southern Pepper Cashew Nuts and Barbeque Almonds. Tag your mulled wine-loving friends below to let them know what snacks to pair it with. #sonalholland #masterofwine #mulledwine #nuttygritties #christmas #holidayseason #winelovers

Get your cocktail shaker ready…we’ve got some tasty cocktail recipes for you 🍹 ✨ Leelanau Radlers we’re inspired by the bountiful fruit the peninsula is known for, and biking trails throughout Leelanau. Make one (or two) of these fun cocktails after biking the Tour de Leelanau! 𝕃𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟 𝐼𝓃𝑔𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 4 oz. Lemon Radler 1 oz. Gin 0.5 oz. fresh lemon juice 1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters 2 slices cucumber 1 slice of lemon 𝒟𝒾𝓇𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 1. Put 6 ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. 2. Add Gin, fresh lemon juice, bitters and (1) slice of cucumber. 3. Shake for 30 seconds. 4. Fill tall glass with ice. 5. Strain gin, fresh lemon juice and cucumber into glass—add Lemon Radler. 6. Garnish with a slice of lemon and cucumber. 𝕎𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕟 𝐼𝓃𝑔𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 4 oz. Watermelon Radler 1 oz. Vodka 0.5 oz. fresh lemon juice 1 or 2 slices of fresh jalapeno (optional) Sprig of fresh mint 𝒟𝒾𝓇𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 1. Put 6 ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. 2. Add Vodka, fresh lemon juice and jalapeno slices (optional). 3. Shake for 30 seconds. 4. Fill tall glass with ice. 5. Strain Vodka, fresh lemon juice and jalapeno into glass—add Watermelon Radler. 6. Garnish with sprig of fresh mint. 𝔾𝕣𝕒𝕡𝕖𝕗𝕣𝕦𝕚𝕥 𝐼𝓃𝑔𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 4 oz. Grapefruit Radler 1 oz. Reposado Tequila 0.5 oz. fresh lime juice small pinch of kosher salt 1 grind of cracked pepper (optional) Sprig of fresh rosemary 𝒟𝒾𝓇𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 1. Put 6 ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. 2. add Tequila, lime juice, salt. 3. shake for 30 seconds. 4. Fill tall glass with ice cubes, 5. strain Tequila, lime juice and salt into glass—add Grapefruit Radler. Top with cracked pepper. 6. garnish with sprig of fresh rosemary. Find a copy of these recipes and more on our website: twokfarms.com/recipes. We’d love to see your fun creations; drop your own cocktail recipes in the comments below ⬇️ #twokfarms #radler #cocktails #leelanau

Move Over Margarita the #Paloma is coming in Hott 🥃Key Ingredients in a Paloma: Grapefruit: Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice makes all the difference. Lime: A squeeze of lime complements the grapefruit flavor and adds a little extra tartness. Tequila: Go for blanco (or silver) tequila, which is the least aged and most agave-forward. You don’t need a really expensive bottle — just make sure to use one you like. Agave nectar: Add a touch of sweetness to balance the citrus juice. Sparkling water: A generous floater of bubbly water keeps the drink from being too boozy. 🥃How to make a Paloma: Salt your rim. Moisten the rim of an Old-Fashioned or margarita glass with a lime wedge, then dip in kosher salt to coat. Shake the ingredients. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, blanco tequila, and agave nectar simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, seal, and shake until very frosty. Strain and enjoy. Pour the cocktail through a fine-mesh strainer, top with sparkling water, and garnish with a grapefruit slice. #TravelIsMyBusiness #Its5OclockSomewhere #its5oclocksomewhere

🍹📖 Introducing "Cocktail Chronicles" – an enchanting story-telling series that uncovers the captivating history of cocktails! 🌐🍸 From the origins of iconic classics to the evolution of mixology, this series will take you on a flavourful journey through time. Join me as we uncover the fascinating stories behind some of our favorite libations, from classic recipes to modern mixology marvels. 🌟 Let's raise a glass to the rich history and creativity that goes into crafting these delightful concoctions. Cheers to the art of cocktail storytelling! 1. Gin & Tonic The story behind the Gin & Tonic dates back to the colonial era in India. The British soldiers stationed in India during the 19th century often fell victim to malaria due to the prevalence of the disease in the region. To counter this, they were advised to consume quinine, a bitter-tasting compound known for its antimalarial properties. Quinine was extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree, but its bitter taste made it difficult to consume. To make it more palatable, they mixed quinine with water, sugar, lime, and gin. This concoction became known as the "Gin & Tonic." The combination of gin's juniper flavors with the bitterness of quinine proved to be a refreshing and effective way for the soldiers to combat malaria while enjoying their drinks. As the soldiers returned to England, they brought this drink with them, and its popularity spread, eventually becoming a classic and beloved cocktail enjoyed worldwide. 🥂 #CocktailHistory #MixologyTales #CheersToCreativity #CocktailHistory #MixologyTales #CheersToCreativity #ginandtonic

Alcohol Marketing - Different types of alcohol trigger changes our mood. Wine makes us feel relaxed, while spirits make us feel energised and confident. Lifestyle changes in how we work have certainly encouraged a shift from fixed occasions to mood Mood-based drinking strategies are particularly useful for brands based on a provenance story. You don’t need to be in Venice to enjoy aperitivo hour, you don’t need to be in Havana to drink in the rebellious Cuban spirit and you don’t need to be Irish to want a beer ‘made of more’. All these brands have used mood to drive penetration into new markets, leveraging the feeling you get, not a fixed drinking occasion #Alcoholindustry #Alcohol #Alcoholicbeverages #spirits #wine #beer #wines #drinks #beers #drinking #marketing

📝With a lively red color, the nose releases notes of dark berries, plum and ripe cherry, violets and medium spice. In the mouth it is dry, with a full body, its high alcohol content is very balanced with acidity and the presence of red fruit, black pepper, light notes of cinnamon and balsamic herbs. This is the tasting note elaborated by our jury for the selected wine of @Franco Ivaldi 🍷 #5StarWines2023 #WineWithoutWalls2023 #5StarWinestheBook #ItalianWinery #ItalianWine #VinoItaliano

The Paloma is a beloved classic known for its refreshing and tangy flavors. Our Paloma is a delightful blend of tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and a touch of agave syrup, topped off with a splash of soda water. It's the perfect thirst-quencher for any occasion, whether it's a casual get-together or a lively celebration. The Paloma, originating from Mexico, has been a staple in the cocktail world for decades. Its name, which means "dove" in Spanish, reflects the drink's smooth and light characteristics. The combination of citrus and tequila creates a harmonious balance that has made the Paloma a timeless favorite. 🍹 How to Make a Paloma Easily and Quickly: 🌟 Ingredients: Tequila: 50 ml / 1.7 oz. Fresh grapefruit juice: 60 ml / 2 oz. Lime juice: 15 ml / 0.5 oz. Agave syrup: 10 ml / 0.3 oz. Soda water: to top up A pinch of salt (optional) Grapefruit slice (for garnish) 📖 Recipe: Rim a glass with salt (optional). Add tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave syrup to your cocktail shaker. Shake well with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top up with soda water. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit. Enjoy the refreshing and zesty flavors of our Paloma! 🌟🍹 #Paloma #CocktailLovers #Mixology #RefreshingDrinks #PartyDrinks #FollowUs #Cheers #DrinkUp #CocktailTime #BartenderLife @osdaza1

In the enchanted realm of cocktail making, the alchemy of flavors unfolds. As herbs, fruits, and spices unite in harmonious libations, a symphony of taste erupts on the palate, leaving patrons spellbound and craving more. Learn more here, https://kanpailiving.com/!  . . . #kanpailiving #kanpai #cheers #alcohol #cocktails #drinks #beverages #bar #bargadgets #baraccessories #cocktailinfusion #wine #party #vodka #liquor #bartender #gin #mixology #whisky #drinking #rum #food #drinkstagram #drinkup