Cheers Winter 2023 | Page 6

DRINK CULTURE

Kenneth Vanhooser is the beverage director at Present Tense , a Japanese-leaning restaurant and sake bar in Nashville .

Blue Atoll is a tequila blanco and mezcal based drink — an improved Oaxacan Old Fashioned in the style of a Stinger — named after the Pantone color , Blue Atoll . The ice cube is made with artichoke steaming water , blitzed with green and blue spirulina powders . The addition of white and green crème de menthe in the artichoke cube really makes the color stand out . As the ice slowly melts , the drink transforms from an Old Fashioned into the style of a Stinger . The inspiration came from making random ice cubes with my kids and loving the color of the water that remained after steaming artichokes . It ’ s really cool how the blue spirulina tints the water , and the green spirulina percolates to the bottom of the ice cube and creates a fun geometric striation .

WHAT I ’ M

DRINKING NOW

1 ½ oz . Lunazul blanco tequila ½ oz . Mezcal ¼ oz . Orange Curaçao 4 dashes Orange bitters

Combine ingredients and stir . Strain into rocks glass over large artichoke ice cube . Garnish with a dehydrated orange slice . For Artichoke ice cube : Pour steamed artichoke water into large ice cube molds . Add a dash each of green creme de menthe , white creme de menthe , blue spirulina and green spirulina , and freeze .

PRODUCTS

Glenmorangie ’ s newest expression , Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo , is the distillery ’ s first release finished in Japanese Mizunara oak casks . In the whisky ’ s flavor profile , pepper meets bitter cherries and coconut , the distillery says , while orange zest blends with incense and sweet oak . On the finish are classic Glenmorangie flavors of mandarin , almond and marzipan . The suggested retail price is $ 109 per 750-ml . bottle .

Rock n ’ Roll Hall of Famer and celebrity spirits trailblazer Sammy Hagar has debuted a refreshed look and a new formula for the Kola Spiced edition of his Sammy ’ s Beach Bar Rum . In partnership with rockstar Rick Springfield , Sammy ’ s Beach Bar Rum is made in Puerto Rico . With an ABV of 35 %, Kola Spiced is a proprietary spice blend that includes kola nut extract , which gives the rum hints of vanilla and coffee , the company says .

California wine pioneer Sonoma-Cutrer , located in Russian River Valley has announced three new vintages . The 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ( 13.9 % ABV ) ; the 2021 Cutrer Chardonnay ( 14.1 % ABV ); and the 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ( 14.3 % ABV ). The suggested retail prices per 750-ml . bottle are $ 25 for the Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and $ 36 each for the Cutrer Chardonnay and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir .

Basil Hayden has expanded its whiskey portfolio with the launch of a new permanent expression , Basil Hayden Malted Rye . Made by eighth-generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe , this 80-proof release uses a malting process that “ transforms the rye grain to create a more subtle , mellow spice with delicate sweet and floral notes ,” the company says . The suggested price is $ 59.99 per 750-ml . bottle .

Chocolate Liqueur is Baileys ’ latest addition to its portfolio of liqueurs . It combines Baileys Original Irish Cream and real Belgian chocolate . It is best served in a Chocolate Martini , chilled or as a dessert shot , the company says . The suggested retail price is $ 24 to $ 29 for a 750-ml . bottle .

6 Cheers • Winter 2023 www . cheersonline . com