CURICH|WEI
SS co-founders James Curich and John Weiss, know a thing or two about premium spirits, having
worked with brands like William Grant & Sons, Hendrick’s Gin, Sailor Jerry
Spiced Rum, Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Reyka Vodka, as well as a
multitude of brands and categories within their PR portfolio. We asked them to share
with us the top cocktail trends they saw at the recent industry event, Tales of
the Cocktail.
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Each July, the world’s most innovative bartenders, along with other members of the global cocktail community, descend upon New Orleans to partake in a week of tastings, seminars, and celebrations. This event, Tales of the Cocktail, is a playground for information-sharing, new ideas, and cocktail creations. Each year, Tales inspires and educates, and this year was no exception. So, if you’re planning a signature drink for your upcoming events, here are a few trends that stood out, and which we expect to see more of in the year ahead…
1. Simple, yet unique, cocktail serves
With the resurgence of craft cocktail culture, there are many delicious, yet labor-intensive drinks out there, but sometimes, simple drinks, made with the finest ingredients are the best option for special events. Simple doesn’t need to mean standard though; for example, the Paloma is one of the most popular drinks in its native Mexico, and gaining momentum in the U.S. It is a two-ingredient cocktail – tequila and grapefruit soda – that is as pretty as it is refreshing, and a fun alternative to the standard margarita. To ensure the best experience, use high-quality ingredients, like Milagro Tequila and Q Drinks Grapefruit Soda. For a unique twist, replace the tequila with mezcal, such as Montelobos.
PALOMA- 2 parts tequila (or mezcal)
- 6 parts Q Grapefruit Soda
- Coarse salt
- Half a jalapeno, finely chopped
- Two lime wedges
Mix salt and jalapeno and spread out on a plate. Run a lime along the rim of a highball or “cosmopolitan” glass, then dip the rim into the salt mixture. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the tequila and squeeze in a lime. Then pour in the Q Grapefruit. Gently stir and garnish with a lime.2. An adult take on an everyday drink
While spiked iced teas and sodas have been around, iced coffee cocktails continue to grow in popularity. Another cocktail with simple ingredients, the choice of spirit and choice of coffee make all the difference, and can be tailored for taste and audience. The process for cold brew coffee yields a more balanced result, that is perfect for cocktails. Again, focus on high quality offerings like Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. or Chameleon Cold Brew, for the best flavor, and choose a distinct and flavorful spirit, such as Drambuie or Licor 43, for a simple, yet delicious take.
SWING & SIZZLE - 1 ¼ parts Drambuie
- 1 ¼ parts Vanilla Coffee
- ½ part Campari
- ½ part Lemon juice
- 2 parts Ginger beer
- Mint
- Angostura Bitters
Place 6 mint leaves at the bottom of a tall glass, and lightly muddle. Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour all ingredients in, except ginger beer and bitters. Add ginger beer and top with more crushed ice. Add 5 heavy dashes of bitters and garnish with a mint bunch.3. A twist on the classics
The classics are popular for a reason: they are good! So, to create your own signature drink, you need not stray too far from these perennial favorites, but instead simply add your own special touch. This can be your own unique choice of garnish (from fresh herbs to candy to gold dust), or swapping out one of the ingredients for a fresh twist. Swap out the gin in your Negroni and replace with mezcal, for a smoky and on-trend cocktail creation; then put that gin into a classic Gin & Q Tonic, but garnish with fresh rosemary and lemon, rather than that expected lime wedge. Of course, if you’re using Hendrick’s Gin, always garnish with a cucumber.
GIN & TONIC- 2 parts gin
- 6 parts Q Tonic
Place ice in a highball glass and add your favorite gin. Squeeze in a lime wedge. Then pour in the Q Tonic Water or Q Indian Tonic Water, depending on the gin. London Dry gins should get the Q Indian Tonic Water and more subtle gins should get Q Tonic Water. Gently stir and add garnish.4. Did we mention Mezcal?
Mezcal has been gaining traction among the cocktail set for years, and is popping up on more and more cocktail menus. While tequila is mezcal, mezcal is not tequila. Tequila must be made from Blue Agave, whereas mezcal can be produced from many types of agave (including Blue Agave). Mezcal is produced in numerous states within Mexico, although the majority of mezcal is crafted in Oaxaca (one of the hottest destinations for travel), and each is unique to its origin point. Bartenders are using mezcal to add a unique flavor and depth to their cocktails, while introducing their guests to something different. There are many options out there, but our favorite is Montelobos, developed by Ivan Saldana, the world’s foremost authority on the agave plant.
MEZCAL NEGRONI- 1 part Mezcal
- 1 part Campari
- 1 part Sweet vermouth
Place all ingredients in an Old Fashioned glass and fill with ice. Stir until cold and garnish with an orange half-wheel.5. Cocktails are meant to be enjoyed and shared
Tales is always a great reminder that cocktails are meant to be fun, so have fun with your serves. A unique service vessel is a great way to surprise and delight guests, while also providing an instagrammable moment to share with friends, fans and followers outside of the event. The classics are copper mugs for Moscow Mules and ceramic tiki mug for Dark N’ Stormies, but today, your imagination is the limit, as we learn from the amazing artists at Tales of the Cocktail every year.
