DRINK CULTURE

The Pantone Color of the Year 2024 is Peach Fuzz . After the more in-your-face Viva Magenta of 2023 , Peach Fuzz “ captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others . It ' s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind , body and soul ,” Pantone says .

Mxiologists , meanwhile , have been busy trying to capture that peachy shade and sentiment in cocktails .

For instance , The Freudian Sip from Rio ’ s Tequila Bar in Fort Lauderdale , FL , has a peachy color that comes from the combination of mezcal , Liquor 43 and Aperol . Created by Natalie Samario , beverage director at SFL Hospitality Group , the drink boasts fresh coconut and lime , which help to offset the sweetness and provide a little zest to the cocktail .

The Eden cocktail at Bar Magnolia in Los Angeles ’ Hotel Figueroa , reflects not just the peachy hue but embodies the symbolic meaning behind Peach Fuzz , inviting patrons to experience a sip of tranquility , a taste of bliss and a moment of harmony . Corporate beverage director Carla Lorenzo created the drink with Sipsmith gin , chamomile-infused amontillado sherry , lime , simple , guava and cucumber .

The Caipi Lychee , created by Radovan Jankovic , beverage director at Mercy Me and Yours Truly in Washington , D . C .,

represents an innovative reinterpretation of the traditional South American Caipirinha . It showcases the distinctiveness of the cachaça spirit , along with bergamot liqueur , raspberry , lime and lychee .

The Midnight Giant at Death & Co . in Los Angeles is sweet , tropical sipper with rum , condensed milk , vanilla syrup , sweet potato shochu and mamey fruit juice for a peach-colored concoction . The Harvest Peach at The Lobby Lounge & RawBar in the Fairmont Pacific Rim combines brandy with lemon and white peach , topped with prosecco . Whiskey Neat in Fort Lauderdale , FL , reinvents the traditional Whiskey Sour with the Peachy Keen , a blend of Old Forester 100 Proof rye , lemon , and peach puree topped with Filthy Cherry juice .

The Scarlet Ibis from Iron Rose at The Mills House Hotel in Charleston , SC , with gin , coconut cream , lemon juice and Peychaud ' s bitters , “ is one of my all-time favorite cocktails , combining London Dry Gin with a little taste of the tropics ,” says Beau Williams , the hotel ’ s director of restaurants and bars . “ Perfect year-round , it ' s refreshing , bright , citrusy , and delicious . And don ' t be shy with the bitters , it ’ s what gives the cocktail that beautiful peach-fuzz color !”

Here are a few peach perfect cocktail recipes to try .

Scarlet Ibis

2 oz . London Dry gin 1 oz . Coconut cream ½ oz . Lemon juice 5-6 dashes Peychaud ' s bitters

Combine ingredients in a cheater tin and fill with ice . Cap with a shaker tin and shake vigorously until cold . Strain into a coupe and serve .

Beau Williams , director of restaurants and bars at The Mills House Hotel , created this recipe .

The Freudian Sip

1 oz . Real coconut or cream of coconut 1 oz . Aperol 1 ½ oz . Mezcal 1 oz . Fresh lime juice

PHOTO BY : SFL HOSPITALITY GROUP

½ oz . Licor 43 Brown sugar and ground cinnamon Run a real coconut around the edge and dip the rim in a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon . Set the glass aside until ready to use . Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice . Give the mixture a good shake to combine flavors . Fill the rimmed glass with ice cubes strain drink over the ice . Garnish with an edible flower .

Natalie Samario , beverage director at SFL Hospitality Group , created this recipe .

Midnight Giant

1 ½ oz . Kuro-Koji Asahi Mannen sweet potato shochu ½ oz . Santa Teresa 1796 Solera rum 1 tsp . Myris nutmeg liqueur ¾ oz . Lime juice ½ oz . Mamey puree ½ oz . Sweetened condensed milk ½ oz . Vanilla syrup dash Saline solution Combine all ingredients and short shake . Pour contents into a pilsner glass with crushed ice . Garnish with a lime wheel and grated nutmeg .

The mixologists at Death & Co . Los Angeles created this recipe .

The Caipi Lychee

¼ oz . Italicus bergamot liqueur ½ oz . Rectified lime juice 1 oz . Lychee cordial 1 oz . Sake ( junmai ) 1 oz . Cachaça Prata 2 Fresh raspberries

Combine ingredients and shake . Serve over crushed ice in a retro goblet . Garnish with a mint sprig and fresh raspberries .

Radovan Jankovic , beverage director at Mercy Me and Yours Truly in Washington , D . C ., created this recipe . www . cheersonline . com Spring 2024 • Cheers 5