Latest news with #cocktail
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
America's Best Rye Whiskey-According To The New Orleans Spirits Comp
The Sazerac with Bitters and Rye is New Orleans' classic rye whiskey cocktail getty The American rye whiskey renaissance continues to accelerate, driven by innovation, bold grain experimentation, and a renewed appreciation for spicy, robust flavor profiles. Nowhere was this evolution more evident than at the 2025 New Orleans Spirits Competition (NOSC)—a showcase of the world's best spirits, held in tandem with the renowned Tales of the Cocktail festival. Below are the top-rated rye whiskeys from the recently completed NOSC. Since its debut in 2022, the NOSC has earned a reputation for spotlighting exceptional quality from both heritage brands and craft upstarts. This year's top-performing rye whiskeys proved just how diverse and dynamic the category has become—from rum barrel finishes and heirloom grain mash bills to malted rye experiments and age-statement powerhouses. Angel's Envy's Finished Rye is one of the most distinctive barrel-finished rye whiskeys available. Produced by Louisville Distilling Co., the brand is renowned for its unique secondary maturation approach. This rye whiskey is finished, for up to 18 months, in ex-pot still XO rum barrels from Barbados. The rye whiskey features a rich bouquet of maple syrup, molasses, allspice, and dark caramel. It's sweet and spicy on the palate, showcasing flavors of cinnamon-dusted baked apple, brown sugar, toasted rye bread, and spiced rum cake. The finish is long and flavorful, with lingering notes of toffee, nutmeg, and tropical fruit. The rum influence is prominent, making this a rye unlike any other—dessert-like yet with a layered complexity. Based in Dane, Wisconsin, J. Henry & Sons is a grain-to-glass craft distillery that grows its red heirloom corn and grains. The mash bill consists of 64% Spooner Rye, 14% J Henry red heirloom corn, 14% winter wheat, and 8% malted barley. Their Spooner Rye is named after a local town and honors regional agricultural heritage. This is a high-proof, barrel-finished rye matured for 5+ years and finished in cognac barrels, adding an elegant European flourish to a bold American spirit. The whiskey features herbal and earthy rye spice aromas along with dark berries, hints of fig, and French oak. It's robust and flavorful on the palate, showcasing flavors of licorice root, toasted hazelnuts, cocoa, dried plum, and bold rye grain spices. The finish is long, sweet, and spicy, with lingering notes of clove, anise, and dried fruit sweetness from the cognac cask. Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig Straight Rye, 47% ABV, 750 ml. $32 Launched in 2020, Elijah Craig Rye marks Heaven Hill's major entry into the straight rye category under this historic whiskey brand. It utilizes the traditional Heaven Hill rye mash bill, comprising 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley, and is aged for under 4 years, making it an approachable entry-level rye. The whiskey features aromas of rye spice, vanilla, toasted/cooked cereal, and a hint of green apple. It's smooth and slightly sweet on the palate, showcasing flavors of caramel, dried herbs, and cinnamon with underlying notes of citrus zest and mint. The finish is medium length, with lingering notes of nutmeg and soft rye spices—an excellent rye for cocktails or sipping neat. Glass of whiskey on background of rye grain getty New Riff Distilling, Balboa Rye, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $55 This 4–5-year-old rye from Kentucky's New Riff Distilling is a single varietal rye whiskey made with the rare Balboa rye grain. This historic heirloom varietal delivers deeper, spicier, and more savory notes than traditional rye. The mash bill is 95% Balboa rye and 5% malted barley. New Riff is a respected name in the craft whiskey industry for its transparency, bottled-in-bond releases, and full-flavored spirits. The whiskey features aromas of rye bread, black peppercorn, dark honey, and clove. It's robust and flavorful on the palate, showcasing flavors of sour cherry, dark chocolate, roasted malt, dried herbs, cracked black pepper, and a slight savory note. The finish is long and dry with a persistent pepperiness and earthy undertones. Balboa rye delivers a robust, old-world rye profile with a distinctive flavor profile. New Riff Distilling, 6-Year-Old Malted Rye, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $65 This expression is made with 100% malted rye grain, which enhances the body and complexity of the spirit. Aged for six years and bottled without chill filtration, this is one of the most sophisticated rye whiskeys available from New Riff. The whiskey features aromas of toasted nuts, roasted coffee beans, chocolate malt, and fruitcake. It's smooth and silky on the palate with a pronounced mouth weight, showcasing flavors of dark chocolate, cooked cereal/malt, roasted almond, dates, and molasses, along with subtle rye spices. The finish is long and velvety, with lingering notes of dried dark fruit, toffee, and a persistent chocolate finish. This whiskey will appeal to fans of both single malts and rye. Old Overholt 11-Year-Old Extra Aged Cask Strength Rye, 53.7% ABV, 750 ml. $100 One of the oldest and most respected names in American rye whiskey, Old Overholt has roots dating to 1810 in Pennsylvania. This 11-year-old cask-strength version showcases the brand's resurgence with a bold, fully matured rye. The whiskey is rich, with oak-driven complexity featuring aromas of dried cherry, leather, pipe tobacco, and spearmint. It's intense and robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of black tea, toasted walnut, burnt orange peel, dark caramel, and pronounced rye spices. The finish is exceptionally long, with a gripping tannic dryness and lingering notes of rye spices, dark chocolate, and menthol. This is rye whiskey in its prime—bold, assertive, and rewarding. From the island sweetness of Angel's Envy's rum-finished rye to the old-school muscle of Old Overholt's 11-year cask-strength release, the 2025 NOSC judging revealed a category brimming with character, complexity, and creativity. Whether rooted in tradition or boldly pushing the envelope with unique grains and finishes, these medal-winning rye whiskeys reflect the depth and dynamism of the American whiskey scene. For collectors, enthusiasts, and cocktail lovers alike, this year's NOSC rye whiskey standouts offer something special in every sip—and further proof that rye's future is every bit as exciting as its storied past. More From Forbes
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for July 24-26
Things are quieter this week as Hong Kong recovers from a signal 10 typhoon – coming not long after the festivities in sister city Macau, which hosted Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 – but expect our beverage scene to ramp up this weekend. Socio's Amir Javaid is arriving at TokyoLima to serve signatures made from the restaurant's surplus ingredients, while The Murray will host a celebration of brews and spirits over the weekend. And on Saturday, cafe-by-day, cocktail-bar-by-night concept C108 is celebrating its first anniversary. Thursday, July 24 TokyoLima x Socio Amir Javaid, co-founder of Socio bar in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout What: Aside from a compelling new menu, TokyoLima has another treat for us: Aside from a compelling new menu, TokyoLima has another treat for us: Amir Javaid from Socio taking over the bar at the Hong Kong outpost of Nikkei cuisine. To make things extra interesting, Javaid is dedicating his guest shift to signatures made from surplus ingredients from the TokyoLima kitchen, infusing Nikkei flavours into his mixology. Advertisement Where: TokyoLima, G/F, Car Po Commercial Building, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central When: 9pm onwards Friday, July 25 Summer Bubbles & Brews Festival The Murray in Hong Kong is hosting a Summer Bubbles & Brews Festival. Photo: Eugene Lee What: The Murray is pulling out all the stops this weekend with its Summer Bubbles & Brews Festival, bringing together a wide array of vendors to The Arches. Featuring brewers like Breer, HK Lovecraft and Young Master, as well as distillers Hrafn Gin, Kowloon Spirits, Hong Kong Whisky and Two Moons Distillery, it's a gargantuan celebration of drink-making. Advance tickets go for HK$180, which includes four tokens and a gift cup. Breer, Los Ibéricos HK, Vinoholic and Two Moons have special offers and promotions for festivalgoers. DJs are spinning on both nights, with Beat Friday taking over from 8pm on Friday, and Parco and Iltik from 7pm on Saturday. Where: The Arches, 1/F, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central Advertisement When: Friday, 4pm-10pm; Saturday, 1pm-10pm Saturday, July 26
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Move over, Aperol — the Hugo Spritz is summer's hottest cocktail
The Hugo Spritz has emerged as the trendy cocktail of the moment and successor to the Aperol Spritz. The recipe calls for prosecco, club soda, and elderflower liqueur, resulting in a sweet, low-ABV drink. A foodservice trend analyst said the French-made liqueur lends the Hugo Spritz an escapist appeal. Last month, while mulling the menu at a trendy restaurant, a suggestion from a friend made me feel woefully out of touch. "Why don't you get a Hugo Spritz?" the friend asked when I said I was craving a light, summery, and refreshing cocktail. I asked what that was and was promptly met with a table full of shocked faces. Somehow, I had missed the introduction and gradual takeover of the the hottest new cocktail. While the thirst for Hugo Spritz certainly isn't new — the recipe has been gaining momentum online for a few years, achieving fleeting virality in 2023 and capturing the attention of wealthy bar patrons in 2024 — recent data indicates that the Hugo's mainstream crossover moment has officially arrived. In its 2024 trend report, Yelp found a 1,121% increase in searches for "Hugo Spritz" compared to the previous year. Google search volume for "Hugo Spritz" rose 122% from 2023 to 2024, and analytics show interest is even higher this summer than at this time last year. The use of the hashtag #HugoSpritz has steadily increased on TikTok over the last year, reaching peak popularity in late June and early July. Creators have been sharing their favorite takes on the recipe, gleefully adding sprigs of mint or splashes of lime juice. The trend has even inspired at least one original piano ballad, which features the standout lyric, "Cuckoo for Hugo, baby." The Hugo Spritz has emerged as the clear successor to its Italian cousin, the Aperol Spritz. The latter enjoyed its own renaissance a few years back, arguably reaching peak popularity in the summer of 2023 — auspiciously fueled by HBO's "The White Lotus," whose celebrated second season was filmed in Sicily and aired in late 2022. Despite its rise to ubiquity, however, Aperol — an apéritif liqueur with strong notes of orange peel and herbs — remains a polarizing ingredient. While some love its bittersweet flavor, others say it tastes thick and medicinal, akin to cough syrup. By comparison, the Hugo Spritz is positively dessert-like. As with most spritzes, it's typically made with two parts prosecco and two parts soda water. The defining addition is elderflower liqueur — a sweet, floral spirit with such broad appeal and versatility that it earned the nickname "bartender's ketchup" in the late aughts. St-Germain has long been considered the leader in the elderflower liqueur market, credited for inspiring a slew of copycats after its launch in 2007. The brand was acquired by Bacardi in 2013, further cementing its dominance. Emma Fox, Bacardi's Global VP, told me via email that St-Germain has seen a 20% increase in retail sales value in the US since last year and an 11% increase over the last five years. Globally, she said the brand's market share has nearly tripled since 2019. "We know that demand for St-Germain continues to grow, particularly this summer, as people are looking for more choice and creativity in their spritzes and discovering our lighter, brighter taste," Fox said. St-Germain is made with hand-picked flowers from elderflower trees that grow in the French Alps. Last year, the brand took advantage of that scenery's aesthetic touchstones in a summer ad campaign featuring "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner, which highlighted the Hugo Spritz for its French flair and easy elegance. (The brand reunited with Turner for another campaign launched in May of this year.) Much like how Aperol benefited from its Italian roots and eye-catching cameos in the hands of glamorous onscreen Sicilians, the Hugo Spritz has an aspirational appeal in addition to its tasty flavor profile. In the right context, enjoying an effervescent, European-sourced cocktail can feel like micro-dosing a much-needed getaway. Paige Leyden, Associate Director of foodservice, flavors, and ingredients reports at Mintel, a market intelligence agency, said she noticed the Hugo Spritz trend gain traction in the US in the wake of the 2024 campaign. She attributed the effect to a combination of celebrity influence and our positive associations with a luxurious French lifestyle. "Travel is expensive, but there is that level of escapism when you can just go to a nice bar and sit outside and have this drink," Leyden said. "You might not be on the picturesque Mediterranean coast, but you're still kind of emulating that." Of course, in the age of Instagram and TikTok, the power of a compelling visual cannot be overstated. It's not just that a Hugo Spritz can evoke a picturesque setting, but that the drink itself is picturesque, perfectly engineered for virality. Leyden said her team's research has found that 54% of consumers like to order drinks they see on social media, whether because they were influenced themselves or because they see the potential to influence others — to communicate their knowledge of trends and prove their own sophistication. On TikTok, food and drink influencers are already doing their part. "It's the perfect drink: refreshing, lemony, floral gorgeousness," creator Lex Nicoleta recently declared to her hundreds of thousands of followers while sipping a homemade Hugo Spritz. "I just think there's not a chicer drink in the world." Read the original article on Business Insider
The Guardian
6 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Cocktail of the week: Templar's extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt martini – recipe
Nothing says summer more than an ice-cold martini. Serves 1 For the infused vodka300ml good-quality vodka 70ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus a few drops extra to finish For the drink50ml extra-virgin olive oil-infused vodka (see above and method)25ml 2:1 vanilla syrup (homemade or shop bought)25ml double cream 2 dashes saline solution (ie, 10g flaky sea salt dissolved in 100ml boiling water. then cooled and chilled) First, infuse the vodka. Put the vodka and oil in a blender, blitz to combine, then pour into a wide plastic container (a clean empty ice-cream tub would be ideal), seal and freeze overnight. The oil will separate, rise to the top and freeze, so simply lift it off, leaving only the vodka behind (thaw the oil, save a little for the garnish and use the rest in cooking). Leave the vodka to come up to room temperature, then pass through coffee filter paper into a bottle or jar. Seal and store in the fridge for up to three months, though it's best used within a month. To build the drink, measure all the liquids into a shaker and fill with ice. Seal and shake hard until the shaker is very cold and coated in a light frosting of ice, then fine-strain into a chilled martini glass (if you like, first dip the rim or half-rim in lemon juice and then in flaky sea salt). Put three or five droplets of olive oil on the surface of the cocktail, and serve at once. Matt Maranzano, bar manager, Templar, London E20
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I tried all the supermarket strawberry daiquiris – £2.25 winner was a punchy, silky smooth revelation
WELCOME to National Daiquiri Day – and why not celebrate by sipping this simple retro cocktail? Named after the beach in Cuba where it was created, the drink consists of four ingredients: white rum, strawberries, fresh lime juice and a splash of sugar syrup – and served with a generous scoop of crushed ice. 10 But you don't have to bother mixing your own, as most supermarkets sell ready-to-go canned or bottled options. Drinks expert Helena Nicklin tries some out and gives her verdict. Strawberry Daiquiri 250ml, 8% ABV, £2.50, Marks & Spencer - 3/5 I THINK the M&S range of 'perfectly mixed' tipples really set the standard for canned cocktails at a mid ABV (alcohol by volume) range, and this one is decidedly decent. A blend of berry flavour and white rum with a squeeze of tangy lime, it's a pre-balanced beverage which will save you the faff of buying all the components to create your own. Like all daiquiris, it's pretty sweet and gives good strawberry sweetie flavours with very subtle citrus notes. The booze isn't obvious but it's just about there on the finish. Very simple, but gluggable and well mixed. Funkin Nitro Strawberry Daiquiri 200ml, 5% ABV, £2.25, Tesco - 5/5 MY experience with the Funkin Nitro range of pre-mixed boozy tipples has not always been positive. But luckily, this ready-to-drink daiquiri didn't disappoint. Sip, Savor, Celebrate: Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2024 When it comes to the Cuban cocktail, this one was a revelation. The 'nitro' is an infusion of nitrogen to make it silky smooth and bar-quality, and this time the addition gives a lovely, authentic creamy texture. It looks more natural, colour-wise, and has a pleasant fruity smell. There are a lot of good flavours that taste like actual strawberries and limes. It feels and tastes punchy, too. It's not the cheapest, but this is an excellent cocktail. Malibu Sparkling Strawberry Daiquiri Cocktail 250ml, 5% ABV, £2.20, Sainsbury's - 2/5 A DAIQUIRI is a rum-based drink, so it makes sense that big brands have got in on the ready-to-drink action and created their own pre-made cocktails – ensuring their spirit is the core ingredient. As a Malibu fan, I had high hopes for this tipple. But sadly, it didn't deliver. It has less of a lurid pink look than some, though it's slightly spritzy and very sweet and synthetic-tasting. In fact, you can't really taste the booze at all and the flavours throughout are generic and rather fake. So not much like a daiquiri at all. There are better ones out there at a similar price point. Such a shame. Strawberry Daiquiri 250ml, 5% ABV, £1.95, Morrisons - 1/5 MORRISONS' own version is definitely more of an alcopop than a ready-to-drink cocktail, in my opinion. If you pour it into a glass, it has a scary fluorescent-pink appearance, plus it's very fizzy and thin, like a carbonated drink. Flavour-wise, there's a searingly acidic punch of something resembling lime and strawberry but it's achingly synthetic – enough to set your teeth on edge. The can is pretty enough to look at and it's easy to pack into a picnic for drinking on the go. Affordable and, I suppose, if you serve it with lots of ice and real fruit it will be drinkable. Au Vodka Strawberry Daiquiri 200ml, 8% ABV, £3.33, Asda, Morrisons & Tesco - 2/5 THIS gets full marks for its eye-catching retro Seventies-style gold and red can, which would be fab at parties, posh picnics or on your social media feed. But what's inside it is a bit of a let-down. A classic cocktail with a twist, this is a daiquiri made using vodka as its base spirit instead of rum, so a good option for those who prefer this spirit. It's another nifty nitrogen-infused can that promises a creamy texture, but it's not as effective as its rivals. There's tons of flavour, including a coconut undertone. But it's still incredibly synthetic and acidic. Expensive compared to others too – all flash and no smash. The Distiller Strawberry Daiquiri 250ml, 4% ABV, £1.22, Asda - 3/5 ASDA'S own Distiller range does a great job at offering every ready-to-drink cocktail you could wish for – and some are better than others. This one's not bad and it's a bargain price at just over a quid. But I'd also say that it's not their best either. As a one-off purchase or a cheaper ready-to-drink cocktail, it's well worth a try. Although it's not as sweet as some others, there's a lot of tooth-strippingly zingy lime alongside the fruit flavour – and it's fizzy. Served over ice with slices of strawberry, and maybe with a splash of tonic, it's super refreshing. Great for a few drinks in the garden. Navigator Strawberry Daiquiri 250ml, 3.4% ABV, £1, Iceland - 4/5 FOR only a quid, this daquiri from Iceland was a total surprise – and in a positive way. The can is fabulous, with a gorgeous design that looks far pricier than it actually is. Not only does it look elegant but what's inside is pretty smashing too. It's probably not the most authentic Cuban daiquiri out there and yes, it's sweet and sticky. But it delivers what you want and tastes of strawberry and lime with a nice boozy kick. Compared to many others at this ABV range, it over delivers and will save you money. Stock up for your summer parties or serve it ice cold. It's a one-quid triumph. Served Strawberry Daiquiri 125ml, 14.9% ABV, £3.90, Morrisons - 4/5 THIS small, canned sipper sits in a different quality category from most of the others, as it's a proper, bar-style serving. With three times the boozy bite of the others – a whopping 14.9 per cent – it's creamy, concentrated and sumptuously smooth with a lot more natural flavour. There's lots of body, a stunning berry-red colour and it contains a much higher quality, proper Caribbean rum. It's double the price of the others, but worth it if you want to spend a bit more for an authentic beach bar-style glugger. One to pour into a fancy glass and savour.
