Awesome Cocktails

Clearly aware that two is better than one, curiously different Hendrick’s Gin released a limited-edition dual pack featuring two distinctive fan favorites: Flora Adora and Grand Cabaret gins Conjured up in Scotland by Hendrick’s master distiller Lesley Gracie, Flora Adora is bright and floral, while Grand Cabaret dances with herbs and stone fruit.

As tequila has become a favorite spirit in America, our tastes have become more sophisticated, leaning toward golden Reposados over Blancos. Milagro Select Reposado is a smooth and flavorful 100% blue agave tequila made from two tequilas aged in American oak and French oak barrels. Great for sipping neat or on the rocks.

Whisky infused with coffee beans? Now that’s an eye-opener. To compliment the signature corn sweetness and rye spice notes of Bib & Tucker’s terrific bourbon, they worked with a local Tennessee roaster on a custom blend of premium Arabica beans. The beans then steeped in cask-strength six-year whiskey before being blended into the final batch.

Johnnie Walker Black Label is a true icon. A masterful blend of single malt and grain whiskies from across Scotland, it’s aged for at least 12 years. The result is a timeless classic with depth and balance of flavor. Drink it with ice, neat, in a highball, or in a seasonal original like Johnnie Walker’s Midnight Maple cocktail.

Inside the impressive emerald green bottle of Buchanan’s Green Seal is an exceptional-yet-accessible blended Scotch whisky. Equally perfect neat or on the rocks, Green Seal unexpectedly brings tropical and spiced flavor notes — plus pioneering aging techniques — to an exclusive single malt from Glen Elgin Distillery.

During the California gold rush, a “fat thumb” was the practice of taking a generous pinch of gold dust as payment. Similarly, Argonaut’s master distiller took a “fat thumb” when pulling from his alembic still’s brandy stocks — aged 2 to 16 years in oak barrels — to create this premium, 86-proof blended brandy.

Dry gin combined with Yarra Valley grapes from Australia wine country? Bloody brilliant. It’s herby and fruity, but how do how do you bloody drink purple Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin? This bundle’s copper toby tins, jigger and Hawthorne strainer make it easy to mix up flavorful gin cocktails like Bloody Sours and Bloody Clover Clubs.

The historic American Bar at The Stafford London hotel, has a playful menu addition — the New York Happy Meal — and (ba da ba-da-ba-ba-baaa) we’re lovin’ it. The classy combo is an ice-cold martini paired with golden fries. Imbibers choose from Tito’s Handmade Vodka Martini or the classic American Bar Gin Martini.

The world’s best-selling Canadian whisky gets frisky with the limited-edition Crown Royal Chocolate Whisky. It’s a chocolatey indulgence with hints of caramel and toffee, lingering notes of dark cacao and Crown Royal’s velvety smoothness. Whisky and chocolate pairs in unexpected ways, easing into grapefruit juice, lemonade and cola cocktails.

The best booze can’t make good drinks if the mixers don’t measure up. Based in New Orleans (a town that really knows cocktails), El Guapo makes award-winning zero-proof mixers, bitters, syrups, and sodas that are notably better than most bottled brands we’ve tried. Pretty impressive, given that they’re also made with locally-sourced, non-GMO ingredients.

When the temperature is high, the drinks are pouring, and the munchies hit, you’ll be glad you planned ahead by having a batch of Baileys Original Irish Cream French Fry Frosties chilling in the fridge. It’s as if an Espresso Martini and a White Russian had a milkshake baby wearing a whipped cream hat – with a side of fries.

Take it from Drake (and Snoop Dogg, 2Pac and Lil Wayne). Hennessy, cognac, or “Henny” has been referenced in more than 1,000 songs. Originating from Cognac, France, Hennessy V.S. (“very special”) Cognac is a rapper’s delight — a classic blend of more than 40 eaux de vies from the four premier growing regions of Cognac.

Crafted in the Dominican Republic in a 135-year-old distillery, Brugal 1888 Doblemente Añejado is an approachable fine rum with notes of vanilla, red fruits, toffee, and cocoa. A double-aging process in bourbon and sherry casks enhances the rum with natural oak flavors. It’s just the ticket for Mai Tais, Cuba Libres, Daiquiris, and other classic rum drinks.

Casamigos is more than a one-trick pony founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman. The tequila company became one of the fastest-growing spirits brands in 2022 mainly by thinking ahead. When they added Casamigos Mezcal to its select line-up, they wisely enlisted the expertise of a fourth-generation family of Oaxacan Mezcaleros.

Made with three potent spirits, the ever-popular Negroni is boozy as cocktails get. So what’s a sober-curious Negroni fan to do? Opt for Lyre’s popular Non-Alcoholic Negroni Set — Dry London Spirit, Italian Orange, and Apertif Rosso. The bottle trio captures the taste, aroma, and colors of these essential liquors without any possibility of a hangover.

Made in Holland’s oldest distillery, the Nolet family’s fine gins date back over 330 years — and they still have new tricks up their sleeves. With its unique blend of botanicals — namely, rose, peach, and raspberry, three ingredients never before used in gin distillation — Nolet’s Silver Gin offers a distinctly smooth and versatile canvas for delicious summertime sips.