The Tequila of Autumn | Patrón Extra Añejo

Happy First Day of Autumn! As if I could not love Patrón enough, the household name has launched a brand new member of its core line, Patrón Extra Añejo. 

Extra Añejo is the first addition to the core line in 25 years. The newest tequila to join the portfolio is also the oldest, being aged for more than 3 years. Consumer preference for aged spirits has rapidly grown and to meet this demand, Patrón has introduced Patrón Extra Añejo tequila.

Patrón Extra Añejo tequila, crafted from Mexico’s highest-quality 100% Weber Blue Agave, is distilled in small batches using both the traditional “tahona” process and the modern roller mill method to create Patrón’s signature smooth taste, but what truly sets it apart is its aging approach. Extra Añejo is aged in small oak barrels for at least three full years, giving the aged tequila a unique taste of dry fruits, banana, honey, and vanilla, together with a light distinctive flavor of agave.

It's truly the perfect tequila to "fall" in love with. Pour yourself a glass and ring in the new season. Here's a recipe for a toasty cocktail spiked with Patrón Extra Anejo.

Hola Gran Estrella

Created by Robert Freeman

2 oz Patrón Extra Anejo

1/2 oz Fig Syrup*

1/4 oz Patrón Cafe

1 Bar Spoon Dark Jamaican Rum

1 Dash Orange Bitters

1 Drop Black Walnut Bitters

Fresh Grated Cinnamon - Dehydrated Apple

*Fig Syrup

1 Cups Figs, 1 Cups Water, 1 Cups Sugar, and 2 Cinnamon Sticks

Spritz Your Way To Labor Day

This summer has been all about the Classic Aperol Spritz – with its bright orange color, refreshing bubbles and not-too-sweet taste. What's better than a refreshing summer spritzer that quenches that Aperol thirst of yours? You can't ever go wrong with a classic, but it's always fun to put a spin on things! Here are a few of my favorite Aperol Spritz cocktails that some talented bartenders in NYC have created!

Where the Man-Go Spritz

Created by Anna Wingfield, Mother’s Ruin

Ingredients

3 parts Prosecco

2 parts Aperol 

1 part Soda

3 dashes of celery bitters

2 Mangos 

Garnish: Paprika dusted mango slice 

Directions: 

Slice 2 fresh mangos into small pieces and place in Aperol bottle overnight to infuse

Add 3 parts Prosecco into wine glass filled with fresh ice. 

Add 2 parts of Aperol infused with mango and then add 1 part soda.

Top it off with 3 dashes of celery bitters and a mango slice dusted with paprika.

Santina Spritz

Created by Santina

Ingredients:

Frozen Aperol

Prosecco

Soda water

Fresh mint 

Orange

Directions:

Add frozen Aperol to pitcher and top with Prosecco and soda water

Stir to blend and pour into balloon wine glasses

Garnish with orange wheel and mint sprig

Match Made in Heaven Spritz

Created by Natasha David, Nitecap

Ingredients:

3 oz Prosecco

2 oz Aperol

1 oz Seltzer

¼ Watermelon

1 pinch Kosher Salt

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a wine glass over ice and stir

Garnish with a grapefruit crescent

Watermelon Aperol: Combine 1 bottle of Aperol (750ml) with a quarter of a cubed watermelon in a blender. Blend for 2 minutes. Strain, rebottle, and store in refrigerator.

Sparkling Rosé for a Sizzling End of Summer

The drink of the summer? Rosé of course. The only thing that could make rosé even more tantalizing in the summer heat? Sparking Rosé. 

Santa Margherita created a brand new rosé cocktail to kick off the last few weeks of summer, and it made its debut at a recent event in Brooklyn a few weeks ago. It's super sweet, refreshing and the perfect mix to serve up some serious end of summer sipping! Here's the recipe for you to enjoy at home and celebrate the the end of rosé season.

Summer Cup

Ingredients:

Santa Margherita Sparkling Rosé

1 oz. Lillet Rose

½ oz. vodka

½ oz. strawberry and rhubarb syrup

Pinch of salt

1.5 oz. watermelon Juice

Directions:

Shake and strain on ice and top with 2 oz. Santa Margherita Sparkling Rosé. Garnish with watermelon radish wheels.

Last Minute Festive 4th of July Cocktails for Parties

Independence Day has always been my favorite holiday ever since I was a little girl! I've had somewhat of an obsession with history and the Revolutionary War era since probably 3rd grade. Every year, I love to celebrate the fourth in the most festive way possible. One of the most fun ways is to turn an average drink into a patriotic cocktail.

Here are my two favorites that I'll be making with my friends this 4th of July... they're perfect for a chill night in the backyard watching fireworks, or for a big party!

As the wise Lana Del Rey once said, "Be young, be dope, be proud... like an American."

Firecracker Martini

Ingredients:

3 parts elit Vodka

Garnish of raspberry, blueberry and pearl onion

Directions:

Pour elit into a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a raspberry, blueberry and pearl onion.

 

Independence Day

Ingredients:

1 Liter Casamigos Blanco

17 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

17 Strawberries (not including strawberries for garnish)

17 Whole Blackberries (not including blackberries for garnish)

10 oz. Sugarcane Syrup (Simple Syrup)

Directions:

Peel and slice kiwis into cubes, blend strawberries and kiwis until liquefied. Strain into punch bowl. Add other ingredients and stir in 3-4 medium scoops of block ice and cool. Garnish with blackberries and thin strawberry slices. Stir before each serving.

The First Glow-In-The-Dark Lightbulb Martini | World Martini Day

It's World Martini Day! A celebration is in order, but not just any celebration... one that truly send out.

I have mentioned in a previous post how big of a fan I am of NYC master mixologist, Rael Petit. He's known for creating the coolest, unparalleled cocktails! Well, he's at it again with an insane concoction for World Martini Day! He's created NYC's first-ever glow-in-the-dark lightbulb martini! With a futuristic and premium look, Rael was inspired to create "The Illumination" using elit Vodka because the brand is most recognized for its freeze filtration method. 

This is the perfect cocktail for a fun party... or even something to think about with Halloween coming up (ok ok, we are about 4 months away, but you can never start planning too early!) . 

The cocktail was created exclusively for World Martini Day with elit by Stoli, and for all my east coast friends, you can order it at Delilah in New York City! It goes for $50 a glass, and is only available one last day - today! Have no fear, you can make it at home year round if you really want to... to light up your mood and your spirits!

The Glow-In-The-Dark Lightbulb Martini

·         Main Ingredients: The glowing cocktail features elit Vodka and illuminates with the help of Vitamin B2 and is reactive to a black light

·         Ice sculpture: The cocktail rests underneath an ice sculpture that doubles as a cooling system, chilling the cocktail to perfection before it is served

·         To serve: The cocktail is inserted into the ice sphere through a hole that is formed by a blow torch and once the cocktail is chilled, consumers can reach their hand in and enjoy the drink